Canada is a country that is known to be a place with top-rated universities in the world. It is a country with the best universities after the United Kingdom.
Canada has over ninety public universities and colleges all of which are known to have a standard educational system.
Foreigners who wish to study in Canada should rest assured, that in choosing Canada, they have made a good choice. however, to get a study permit in Canada, there are steps to follow.
- Decide on a university to apply and get accepted
- Do you need a visa
- Start your application
- Gather your documents
- Language requirements
- Biometric appointment and interview
- Applying through the student direct stream
- Arriving Canada
DO YOU NEED A VISA?
Before applying for a Canadian student visa, you should check if you need a study permit as some foreigners do not necessarily need a study permit in Canada.
- Individuals who are staff or family member of a foreign representative in Canada do not need to apply for a student visa.
- A study program that takes less than six months.
- You are a member of foreign armed forces.
- Registered Indians do not need a study permit
- Minors living in Canada do not need a study permit
If you fall under any of the mentioned above, you will only need an electronic travel authorization before you can categories travel.
DECIDE ON WHAT UNIVERSITY TO APPLY FOR AND GET ACCEPTED
Canada has ten provinces and three territories; each has top-rated universities and colleges in it. at this stage, you need to research the universities and select the one that best suits your interest.
Canada has over ninety universities and colleges:
Acadia university Algoma university Ambrose university
Aurora university bishop university brock university
Burman university Carleton university Concordia university
Cape Breton Capilano University Lakehead university
Queen’s University Royal roads university Trent university
Universite de Montréal the king’s university Crandel university
Universite de Quebec university of Alberta University of Calgary
The list of universities goes on and on, however, once you’ve decided on the university you want to study in Canada, you can go ahead and apply. If you are accepted in the university of your choice, an acceptance letter will be sent to you, which will aid you in your student visa application process.
START YOUR APPLICATION
After getting an acceptance letter, you proceed to get your student permit which is the next stage.
Start your application process online through the Citizen Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
- Submit the acceptance letter given to you by the university, which must be a
recognized university by the Canadian government. - Submit a financial statement that proves that you can pay your tuition and fend for yourself.
- Police report that shows if you have any criminal record
- Medical report that proves you are in good health.
The Canadian student permit expires ninety days after finishing school, you may choose to apply for a work permit or temporary visit after studies or choose to go back to your home country.
GATHER YOUR DOCUMENTS
Compile all documents required for the processing of your visa. Such documents include
- Student permit application form
- Original letter of acceptance from the university
- Passport photograph according to specification
- A valid passport
- Financial statement showing your capabilities in paying tuition and living expenses
- Proof of application or study permit fee
- Letter of intent
Your application may be refused if you failed to state, that your main purpose is to study in Canada or fail to convince the official that you will leave after you have completed your study program in Canada. Your application could also be returned if your financial statement shows that you are incapable of paying tuition and living expenses in Canada or if you did not clear your medical exams.
Ensure you submit all the required documents and fill your form clearly and truthfully. It is also important that you update your telephone contact and address if there be any sort of changes during this process.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Every applicant must meet the language requirement of Canada. IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge advanced are the accepted language tests for individuals who are not amongst the English-speaking countries. Provinces like Quebec speak French and before you get a student permit in provinces like Quebec you will need to provide proof of your French-speaking ability.
BIOMETRIC AND INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT
At this stage, you are expected to show up at the visa application center in your home country depending on the requirements in your home country as not all countries are required to show up for biometrics as some countries are exempted from the biometric visit. A fee of 85 Canadian dollars is charged, and it is usually attached to your application fee.
In a situation where more details are needed from you, you will be called for an interview at the visa processing center in your home country.
APPLYING THROUGH THE STUDENT DIRECT STREAM
The student direct stream is a faster process of getting a student permit in Canada. Although not all countries are eligible to apply through the student direct stream. Legal residents of the following countries are eligible to apply through the direct stream:
- China
- Morocco
- Indian
- Pakistan
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Senegal
ARRIVING CANADA
After a successful application process, a letter of introduction will be sent to you after your study permit has been approved, the letter of introduction, a valid passport, a letter of acceptance, reference letters will be shown to the officials upon entrance.
Ensure to carry all the necessary documents with you at all times. You may be refused entrance to Canada if it is discovered that you have a missing document. On entering Canada, you are expected to disclose all funds especially when you have 10,000 Canadian dollars with you. Failure to do that, you shall be fined and your funds seized from you.
The government of Canada does not pay your hospital bills for you if you eventually fall sick, and as such, it is advisable that you get health insurance depending on the school and province you reside in.