Canada Study Permit and Visas Guide 

Canada is one of the top choices among foreign students willing to migrate and study abroad. The Canadian education system ranks at the 4th position among the top education systems in the world. Pedagogy in Canada is focused on theoretical and practical aspects and the country is globally renowned for its research facilities and world-class infrastructure.

International students willing to study in Canada must apply for a Canada Study permit, which will allow them to study at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada. According to a recent announcement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada is to issue around 360,000 study permits in 2024. The Maple Leaf country provides several benefits to foreign students, which makes it an ideal study destination.

 

Canada Student Visa Program

Canada has a well-structured student visa program allowing foreign students to pursue educational courses in the country. Students willing to apply for a Canadian study permit require a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). DLIs are schools approved by the territorial or provincial governments to host foreign students. This includes all primary and secondary schools in Canada. 

 

Types of Canada Student Visa

• Canada Student Permit: This allows the students to enrol themselves in Canadian Universities for up to 3 months
• Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ): this allows students to enroll themselves in colleges in Quebec

 

Choosing the right academic program in Canada 

Canada offers several academic programs for students willing to pursue graduate or postgraduate courses. However, it is important to make an informed decision about the academic program that suits your profile and preferences.

Here are some tips to help you choose the right academic program in Canada:

• Assess your interests and career goals
• Understand your purpose and intention of moving to Canada
• Look for programs that align with your passion and long-term aspirations
• Research about the leading universities that offer courses in your chosen field
• Decide if you want a college or a University according to your needs
• Check whether the educational institution is listed as DLI under the government of Canada
• Verify if the program you have chosen allows for a Post-Graduation Work Permit

It is extremely essential to choose the right study program while applying for a Canada study permit. Although Canada allows local students to change their study programs several times, this option is less viable for international students. Moreover, students need to convince the visa officer about their study program while migrating to Canada for study purposes. Therefore, choosing the program that aligns with your choices and interests will help increase your chances of getting your visa approved.

 

How to apply for a study permit in Canada? 

The steps to apply for the Canadian study permit are listed below:

Step 1: Receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

Step 2: Obtain your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the territory or province where your DLI is located  

Step 3: Provide proof of sufficient financial means to support your stay in Canada

Step 4: Arrange the checklist of documents as required

Step 5: Apply for the visa online via the official website of IRCC

Step 6: Wait for your application to be processed

Step 7: Fly to Canada once your visa is approved

 

Canada Study Permit Requirements 

The following are the documents required to apply for the Canada study permit:

• A valid passport, along with other travel documents
• Recent passport-sized photographs
• Criminal clearance certificate
• A Letter of Acceptance from your DLI
• A Provincial Attestation Letter from the province or territory of your preferred location to study
• Personal identity proofs
• Proof of enough financial resources

The other supporting documents that may be required include:

• A letter of explanation providing details of your purpose and plan to study in Canada
• Medical test reports to ensure that you possess good health
• Custodian Declaration form (if the applicant is a minor)
• Other documents as specified by the visa officer

 

After application submission 

The Canada student visa application has to be made online using the official IRCC website. It is advised to submit complete application forms along with genuine and up-to-date documents to avoid delays in processing.

Applicants aged between 14 and 79 years have to provide biometrics along with their application. IRCC starts processing your application once they receive your biometric information.

The processing time depends on many factors, such as:

• Type of application
• Applicant’s country of residence
• If the application is complete
• If your information is quickly verifiable
• Whether applying from inside or outside Canada
• Whether you’ll be living in Quebec or any other province
• If you are a minor living outside of Canada
• If you are applying through a Canadian Consulate, Embassy, or high consulate
• How long you take to respond to any requests or issues addressed to you by the IRCC

A decision is made on your application after it is reviewed by the IRCC. You will receive a letter informing you if your application is approved. In case your application is rejected, the IRCC will send you a letter informing you of the reasons for rejection.

If your application is approved:

The following are the documents you will receive if your Canada study permit application has been approved:

• A Letter of Introduction (LOI) to confirm that your application has been approved. You must present this letter to the immigration officer after entering Canada. The immigration official will then issue the study permit.
• An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you are a resident of a country that requires an eTA to enter Canada.
• A Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) if you belong to a country that requires a TRV. You must arrive in Canada before the TRV expires.

 

Financial Support Requirements 

Students applying for a Canada Study Permit must demonstrate proof of sufficient financial resources. They must provide documents to prove that they can support themselves financially and must have sufficient means to pay the tuition fees for the first year.

The following documents can be used as proof of funds:

• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
• Documents showing details of educational loans from a financial institution
• Bank statement of the applicant showing transactions for the past four months
• A bank draft in convertible currency
• Receipt of tuition and accommodation fee payment
• Canadian bank statement if the applicant has an account in Canada
•  Details of scholarship or funding received from Canada or
• A letter from the person or financial institution sponsoring you to Canada

The requirement of funds depends on the number of accompanying members the applicant brings along with them. The table below lists the Amount of funds required for a Canadian study permit applicant:

Number of Members	Total Amount required
Single student	Tuition fees plus $20,635 CAD for 12 months
For one accompanying family member	Tuition fees plus $25,690 CAD
For two accompanying family members	Tuition fees  plus $31,583 CAD
For three accompanying family members	Tuition fees plus $38,346 CAD
For four accompanying family members	Tuition fees plus $43,492 CAD
For five accompanying family members	Tuition fees plus $49,051 CAD
For six accompanying family members	Tuition fees plus $54,611 CAD
For more than six accompanying family members	Tuition fees plus $5,559 CAD for each person

Note: The financial requirements vary for students willing to relocate to Quebec to study.

 

The table below provides details of the requirement of funds for students migrating to Quebec:

Number of Members	Total Amount required (in CAD)
One accompanying family member under age 18	$7,541
One accompanying family member age 18 or older	$15,078
Two accompanying family members age 18 or older	$22,115
Two accompanying family members over age 18 and one member under age 18	$24,773
Two accompanying family members over age 18 and two members under age 18	$26,737

 

Fast-track option: Student Direct Stream 

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a fast-track option that is designed to facilitate the process of applying for a Canadian study permit. Under the SDS, applications are processed as fast as under 20 business days. The program presently serves 14 countries including:

• Peru
• India
• China
• Brazil
• Pakistan
• Morocco
• Vietnam
• Colombo
• Senegal
• Costa Rica
• The Philippines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

 

SDS Eligibility Requirements

You would be eligible for the Student Direct Stream if you:

• Are you a legal resident of one of the countries mentioned above
• Have a LOA from a Canadian DLI
• Have a PAL from the province or territory you are willing to migrate to
• Provide a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if you are planning to study in Quebec
• Are outside Canada while applying for the Canadian study permit
• Have receipts of all the fee-payments
• Have sufficient funds to support your stay in the country
• Have a GIC with a participating Canadian financial institution of CAD 20,635
• Have medical test results ensuring that you are fit to travel and study abroad
• Have criminal clearance reports
• Have your recent education transcripts
• Provide language proficiency results

The table below lists the minimum language requirements to apply for the Student Direct Stream:

Type of language test	Minimum Score Required
IELTS Academic or General	6.0 bands in each skill
Test d’Evaluation de Francais (TEF)	CLB 7 in each skill
CELPIP General	CLB 7
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL)	60 points
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic	60 points
Educational Testing Service (ETS) or TOEFL iBT Test	83 points

 

How to apply for Canada Study permit via the SDS?

You can apply for the SDS online by following the steps listed below:

Step 1: Go through the instruction guide provided

Step 2: Arrange all the documents required

Step 3: Upload your biometric information

Step 4: Complete the biometric fee payment

Step 5: Select the country or territory you're applying from

Step 6: Submit the application online

Step 7: Wait for your application to be processed

Step 8: Fly to Canada

Note: If your application does not fulfill the SDS eligibility requirement, then it will be reviewed as a regular study permit, and faster processing times will therefore be inapplicable.

 

Maintaining your Status as a Student in Canada 

Foreign students coming to Canada on a study permit have a temporary status. They must follow certain conditions to maintain their status as a student in Canada.

Study permit holders in Canada must maintain the following conditions:

• Always be enrolled at a DLI unless you are exempted
• Follow and respect the conditions specified on your study permit
• Make progress towards completing your study program
• Inform the IRCC while changing your post-secondary schools
• Stop studying if you do not meet the student requirements anymore
• Do not take an unauthorized leave of more than 150 days
• Leave Canada when your study permit is no longer valid

Some other conditions that you may need to follow include:

• Maintain your educational level
• Work on or off-campus while studying in Canada (if you are allowed)
• Provide medical records (if required)
• Travel within Canada
• Maintain the expiry date of the study permit

 

How to prove that you are maintaining your student status in Canada? 

The IRCC might ask a student permit holder to prove that they are fulfilling the conditions necessary to maintain their status.

 The following documents can be used to prove that you are meeting the conditions:

• Official transcripts
• Official documents from your educational institution showing:
• The date and current status of enrolment
• The starting date and the reason for leaves you have taken (if any)
• The date you were rusticated or dismissed from your educational institution
• The end date of studying at your DLI
• References from your teachers and people who know you
• Medical documents conforming to your health status if you have applied for a medical leave
• Other documents as specified by the immigration officer

 

Exemption of study permit conditions 

Certain students are exempted from the requirement to fulfill Canadian study permit conditions. Exempted students do not require proving that they are enrolled at a DLI or are actively pursuing studies if:

1. The student or their spouse or children have claimed the status of a refugee in Canada which has not reached a decision
2. The student is a refugee in Canada
3. The student or their family member is a humanitarian-protected person or a Convention refugee
4. The student is an accredited  representative of another country, the UN, or any international organisation of which Canada is a member
5. The student or their family member works in Canada  for
6. For the US Immigration and Naturalisation
7. For US customs
8. As an American member of the International Joint Commission
9. As a grain inspector for the US
10. The student or their family member lives in Canada and:
    • Holds a Canadian study permit or work permit
    • Has a Canadian temporary resident permit with a minimum validity of 6 months
    • Is employed under a foreign armed force and is residing in Canada on legal duties
    • Is employed under a foreign news agency and staying in Canada to report on recent events
    • Is a representative of the foreign government  who has been sent to Canada on government duty
    • Is a member of the Canadian clergy

 

Working while studying in Canada 

One of the major advantages of obtaining Canada study permits is that it allows you to take up part-time employment while studying in Canada. Canada study permit holders can work both on-campus and off-campus while they are enrolled full-time in a DLI. According to a recent announcement, international students can work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week from Fall 2024. There are no time restrictions for students working on-campus as long as they are enrolled at a DLI. Foreign students are allowed to work full-time only during scheduled break such as summer or winter vacation.

Students planning to work while studying in Canada will need to provide details of having sufficient funds while applying for the study permit. You must have enough financial resources to support yourself in Canada, even without taking up employment. The study permit issued to you will state if you are allowed to take up employment along the conditions of employment.

 

Who are eligible to work on-campus? 

Canadian study permit holders can work on-campus once they begin their course if they

Are a full-time post-secondary student at enrolled at a

• A college, university or a technical school
• A CEGEP in Quebec
• Private post-secondary schools in Quebec operate with similar rules to public schools
• Private or public schools in Quebec offering a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) or an Attestation of Vocational Specialisation (AVS)
• Private schools in Canada offering degrees under provincial law
• Have maintained their status as a student in Canada
• Have a study permit that allows them to work on-campus
• Have acquired a Social Insurance Number (SIN) 

 

Where can you work on-campus? 

Working on-campus means you can take up employment in any of the buildings present inside the campus of your educational institution. This may include:

• Library
• Cafeteria or restaurant
• Hospital
• Research facility associated with your DLI
• Any other building located inside the premises that needs employees

 

Who are eligible to work off-campus? 

Canadian study permit holders can work off-campus once they begin their course if they:

• Are you a full-time student at a DLI
• Are enrolled in one of the following:
  • A post-secondary academic, professional or vocational training program
  • A secondary level vocational training Program
• Are enrolled in a study program that is at least 6 months long, leading to a certificate, diploma or a degree
• Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Note: You are not allowed to work off campus while you are on unauthorized leave from your studies or while changing your educational institution.

 

Where can you work off-campus? (H3)

Working off-campus means you can work anywhere under any Canadian employer. Canadian study permit holders are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week.

 

How to calculate hours while working off-campus? (H3)

While working off-campus, Canada study permit holders have to track their working hours and also maintain the study permit conditions. Working hours includes the time spent in earning wages or collecting commission including break timings taken during work.

 

Lifestyle in Canada 

A premier destination for overseas education, Canada welcomes thousands of international students each year. The country has some of the best universities of the world which makes it a study haven for international students. However, there are certain things to consider before you migrate to Canada as a foreign student.  

Cost of living: The cost of living in Canada depends on the province or location you choose to settle in. Toronto is the most expensive city where the average cost of living for a single student is around CAD 2000 per month. Some of the affordable accommodation options for international students are in Montreal, Calgary, Laval and Sherbrook. The average cost of living in these cities ranges between CAD 500 to CAD 1500 per month.

Social life in Canada: With a considerable number of student population in the country, Canada has a very welcoming attitude towards students. The country offers numerous leisure activities catering to everyone’s tastes and interests. The educational institutions also offer a vibrant campus life.

Weather in Canada: Canada has cold weather most of the year. Summers are warm, but they last less than two months. The northern part of Canada has extremely low temperatures, while the southern part is comparatively warmer.

Widely spoken languages: French and English are the most widely spoken languages in Canada. Students willing to study there must be proficient in one of these two languages to be eligible for Canadian immigration.

Places to visit: Canada offers a range of tourist attractions, from Snow-peaked Mountains to the Canadian Rockies. The top 10 places to explore in Canada are:

• Niagara Falls
• Parliament Hill
• Stanley Park
• Royal Ontario Museum
• Banff National Park
• Nuit Blanche
• Distillery District
• Science World
• St Lawrence Market
• West Edmonton Mall

 

Bringing family members on a Canada Study Permit 

Canada Study permit holders can bring their parents, spouses, and dependent children to the country. The family members can migrate to Canada on a Student Dependent Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) as applicable.

International students migrating to Canada for studies can include their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children on their study permit application. The spouse can later apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit to start working in Canada. Dependent children are also allowed to study in Canada.

 

Postgraduate options in Canada 

According to recent data, over 200,000 foreign students choose Canada as their destination to complete their higher education. The country is home to some of the top-ranking universities of the world and offers alluring options to students willing to pursue postgraduate programs.

 

Types of Postgraduate Courses in Canada 

Canada offers different types of courses under the post-graduation study program. They are:

1. Postgraduate Certificate: These are short-term courses which can be completed within a year. Students willing to diversify their knowledge and skills acquired from their graduation degree can take up these courses.
2. Postgraduate Diploma Courses: These are short-term vocational courses that provide special training in different fields of study. Professionals willing to develop specific skills or general career development can enroll in PG Diploma courses.
3. Master’s Degree (thesis): These are 1-2 year-long courses that awards a Master's Degree on submission of a thesis and upon completion of the course. Academics willing to develop practical skills or delve in an advanced study of a particular study area can enrol for Master’s courses.
4. Master’s Degree (non-thesis): These are 1-2 year-long courses that awards a Master's Degree upon successful completion of the course. Academics interested in pursuing doctoral degree programs in their respective disciplines can enroll in this course.
5. Research/PhD: These are long-term courses that take about 4 to 7 years to complete. Candidates are awarded a doctoral degree on submitting and defending their thesis under the supervision of an academic guide.

 

Universities offering postgraduate programs in Canada 

The following universities offer various postgraduate programs in Canada:

• University of Toronto
• University of British Columbia
• McGill University
• Queen’s University
• University of Montreal
• University of Alberta
• University of Calgary
• University of Western Ontario
• McMaster University
• University of Ottawa
• University of Victoria
• University of Waterloo
• Simon Fraser University
• University of Saskatchewan
• University of Manitoba
• University of Fredericton
• Thompson Rivers University
• Yorkville University
• Royal Roads University
• Athabasca University
• Laurentian University
• Canadian Virtual University

 

Job Prospects after PG courses in Canada 

Students willing to take up employment in Canada after completing their PG courses can apply for a Post graduate Work Permit (PGWP) on eligibility. Canada offers PGWP to foreign students who graduate from a Canadian DLI.

PGWP holders are allowed to take up employment under any Canadian employer for as many hours as they wish. The validity of a PGWP ranges between eight months and three years. It offers an excellent pathway to acquire Canadian work experience and may lead to Canada PR on eligibility.

Note: All Canadian study programs do not qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

 

Who is eligible for a PGWP?

You would be eligible for a PGWP if:

• You are at least 18 years old or above
• You completed a full-time study program from a DLI
• Your PG course in Canada is more than 8 months
• You have maintained your status as a student in Canada
• You have a study permit which has been valid within the last 180 days

 

Exceptions to the PGWP Eligibility Criteria 

You would be ineligible for a PGWP if you:

• Hold a study permit that expired more than 180 days before our PGWP application
• Have studied French or English as your second language
• Have enrolled in any self-improvement courses in Canada
• Have received funds from Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
• Received funds from Equal Opportunity Scholarship
• Took part in the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchanges Program
• Participated or got awarded in the Government of Canada Awards
• Took part in the Organisation of American States Fellowship Program
• Were enrolled in an online or distance learning study program
• Were enrolled in a course that does not qualify for PGWP

Note: If you are ineligible for PGWP, you can apply for a Canada work permit to work in Canada.

 

How can Y-Axis help you? 

As the world's No. 1 visa and overseas immigration consultancy, Y-axis has been providing unbiased and personalized immigration consultancy for more than 25 years. Our team of visa and immigration experts are here to assist you with everything and help you make an informed decision before you embark on a journey of studying in Canada. Our impeccable services include:

• Expert assistance with acquiring a Canada Student Visa
• Y-Path to help you choose you the right path
• Y-Axis Course Recommendation Services  to assist you with the best courses for you
• Y-Axis Coaching Services to help you improve your language proficiency
• Free Career Consultancy for personalized and professional counseling
• Y-Axis Campus Ready Program to help you prepare for studying abroad