Canada Student Visa: Documents, Study Permit Requirements, Fees & Approval Rate

Canada Student Visa is commonly referred to as Study Permit, a document that allows you to study in Canada. Whether you are applying for a professional course or degree or diploma, you need a Canadian study permit. Before starting with the visa process, you must get a Letter of acceptance from the applied DLI institution. Conditional or non-conditional offer letter, it’s your proof of acceptance. Once you have that, check you eligibility, verify the documents, and apply for your student visa to Canada. 

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​Types of Canadian Student Visa

In Canada, there are two types of student visas that international students can apply for: the study permit and the student direct stream (SDS) program. Here are some details about each type:

• Study Permit: A study permit is the most common type of visa that Indian students require to study in Canada. It allows them to stay in Canada for the duration of their studies and also enables them to work part-time while studying.
• Student Direct Stream (SDS): This is a faster processing option for study permit applications for international students from certain countries, including China, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam. To be eligible for SDS, students must meet certain requirements, such as providing proof of language proficiency and financial support, and must apply online. SDS applications are typically processed within 20 calendar days.

What Documents are Required for Canada Student Visa?

Interested applicants must submit the following documents to apply for a Canadian Student Visa:

1. Proof of Acceptance: Applicants enrolled at a designated learning institute (DLI) must submit a letter of acceptance along with the application.
2. Proof of Identity: Applicants and family members who are accompanying them must submit the following documents as proof of identity:-
   • A valid passport or travel document.
   • Birth Certificate
3. Passport-size Photographs: You need 2 photographs with a plain background with a neutral expression; preferably giving formal appeal. Also, note that
   • Image size should be around 35 mm x 45mm
   • Image should be recent (no older than 6 months)
   • Name and DOB should be mentioned in the back
4. Proof of Financial Support: It is compulsory for students to be able to afford their expenses while studying in Canada. Applicants can provide various documents as proof of financial support:-
   • Proof of student loan from a bank
   • Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from the participating Canadian financial organization
   • Official bank statements for the past four months
   • Proof of a Canadian bank account in the applicant’s name, if they have transferred money to Canada
   • A letter from the sponsor stating the availability of sufficient funds
   • Applicants who are offered scholarships or are in a Canadian-funded educational program must show proof of funding paid from within Canada
5. Minimum Funds Required for Student Visa Canada- Sudents applying for a study permit in Canada are required to prove that they have enough funds for a return fair as well. Funds can be proven with the help of the following:

5. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)- Canadian Immigration requires international students to undergo a compulsory Immigration Medical Examination from impaneled doctors. Students would have to book an appointment and visit the listed doctors for a medical examination, preferably a week before they start their Visa Application.
6. English Language Proficiency Exam Score- Though not mandatory to have at the time of application, we strongly recommend that you have appeared for and get your English Language Proficiency Score before you start your Canada student visa application process. Check: IELTS Score for Study Permit
7. Statement of Purpose- When applying for a Canadian Study Permit, students are required to submit an essay explaining the purpose/intent of choosing Canada as their study abroad destination and why they chose the particular institution. This is an optional requirement but highly recommended.
8. Credit Card- In case you are making an online application, you'd also require a credit card to pay the application fee. The Visa Application Fee for Indian students for Canada is CAD 150. Please remember that the system only accepts credit cards and not debit cards.

Other Documents

• Letter of Explanation: This letter or SOP for Canada student visa provides insight to the visa officer about the applicant’s goals and aspirations.
• Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ):- Applicants who are planning to study in Quebec will need a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l'Immigration, Diversité et Inclusion (MIDI). Students can get all the information on how to apply for CAQ from the DLI they are enrolled at.

Eligibility for Canada Student Visa

Students applying for a study permit for Canada must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be enrolled at a designated learning institute (DLI).
• Applicants must have proof of sufficient funds to finance the following expenses:-
  • Tuition fees
  • Living expenses in Canada for themselves and any family member accompanying them.
  • Return transportation expenses for themselves and any family member who comes to Canada with them.
• An eligible applicant must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal history and must not be a threat to the security of Canada. Students might also have to provide a police certificate.
• It is important for applicants to be in good health condition and may require to submit a valid medical certificate if required.
• Applicants must prove to an immigration officer that he/she will leave Canada at the end of their authorized duration of stay.

How to Apply for Canada Study Visa?

The applicants for a student visa for Canada can apply online as well as offline (paper application). The general application process in both cases are as follows:

Application Fee: 150 CAD
Biometric Fee: 85 CAD

1. Apply for admission at one of the Canadian universities, pay the tuition fees and receive an acceptance letter from the designated learning institute (DLI).
2. Check if a study permit for Canada is required. eTA is required for all international applicants who wish to travel to Canada.
3. Prepare all the documents required for applications
4. Purchase Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
5. Apply for the applications
6. Undertake the medical exams
7. Schedule biometric appointment and interview.

Also Check:

• Canada Student Visa Fees for Indian Students
• Canada Student Visa Interview Tips

Processing Time for Canada Student Visa

Processing time is the time taken by the CIC for processing a visa application. It starts when the aspirant files the application until the final decision day. Between late 2021 to mid-2022, the time for processing student visas in Canada has increased in most countries. The processing time for Canadian study permits in India was around 12 weeks till the end of June. However, it again increased at the start of the second half.

Latest Update: As per the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC)report, the Canada student visa application process is heavily delayed. Due to an enormous rise in study permit applications in Canada and delays in visa approvals, approximately 10-15% of Indian students may defer their admissions to the January 2023 semester. Nonetheless, the high commission has allowed students to continue their courses online without any effect on their Post graduate work permit (PGWP). 

Canadian Embassy and Consulates Addresses

Canada Student Visa Approval Rate

In 2022, Canada achieved yet another remarkable milestone by admitting over 550,000 new international students, breaking its own immigration record. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the country welcomed an astounding 551,405 international students from 184 countries, marking a historic achievement in the education sector. Indian students constituted the largest group of international students, with over 226,450 visas approved, followed by China with 52,165 student visas approved, while The Philippines ranked third with 23,380 visas approved.

Below is a table showing the trend of Canadian Student Visa acceptance rates among international students between 2015 and 2022.

Canada Student Visa Rejection

International students seeking a Canadian Student Visa fulfilling all the minimum criteria for admissions are usually optimistic about the decision. It is, however, observed that a study permit for Canada may be refused even when the applicant fulfills academic and admission requirements for an institution. Some of the popular reasons for rejection of Canadian student visa by IRCC are listed below:

1. Financial Insufficiency
2. Choice of Program
3. Letter of Acceptance
4. Incomplete Travel or Identity Documents
5. Intent of Return to Home Country
6. Lack of Job Prospects in Home Country 

Applying Against Study Permit Refusal

There is a lack of a speedy and efficient system for appealing against a negative decision taken against the study permit for Canada. For applicants whose student visa has been refused, there are three ways to apply against the refusal. These are listed below:

• Request Reconsideration
• Appeal to the Federal Court of Canada
• Submit New Application

Know how long will it take to process Canada Student Visa, here!

Renewal of Study Visa for Canada Application

If the study permit of an applicant expires before program completion, they are required to apply for the renewal of the visa. The basic process for the same is briefed below:

• Apply for a new student visa at least 30 days before the expiration date
  • Applications can be made online or via mail
• Apply for the extension of TRV.

Students must note that their study permit applications will undergo a detailed review by an immigration officer who will check the authenticity of the information and documentation provided. After this, eligible applicants will receive a letter specifying the date, time, and place for the interview.

If an application is rejected, all the documents will be returned to the applicant along with an explanation of why the application was refused. The study permit for an applicant expires in 90 days of the completion of the program. Applicants who wish to work while studying are required to have a work-study visa for Canada.

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