You should follow these exact steps to apply for your Canadian study permit in 2023. Continue reading to see the updated steps.
International students go from all over the globe to study in Canada. If you are interested in studying here in Canada, you will first need to obtain a Canadian study permit.
Studying in Canada is one of the easiest means of migrating to Canada. Canada today boasts one of the greatest educational systems in the world, without a question.
That is why Canada is ranked among the top three destinations for foreign students across the globe. Canada is a wonder to behold, with beautiful and monumental national parks, and a booming economy.
Every year, over 130,000 students come to Canada to study. In order to do so, they must obtain a study permit issued by the Canadian government. This permit, which is a type of Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) allows students to study in Canada for a temporary period of time, and typically indicates the educational institution they are attending and course of study. To qualify, an applicant must fit a certain set of requirements. – VisaPlace.com
To study in Canada in any of their educational institutes or universities for duration above six months you are required to apply for a study permit.
It is best advised to apply for a Canadian study Permit online, whether you are in or outside Canada. Though application can be done via paper, perhaps as a result of the physical disability of the applicant or the online portal is having a technical issue.
What is a Study Permit?
The Canadian study permit is a legal immigratory document issued by the Canadian Government via their immigration unit to foreign or international nationals who desire to study in Canada for duration above six months. It is a mandatory immigration document.
Who are to apply for Canadian study Permit?
All foreign or international students whose course of study exceeds six months are required to apply for a study permit before they can study in Canada.
It is important to know that any foreign students whose course of study or educational program duration is within six months are not to apply for a Study Permit.
Exemptions from Study permit
It is important to know that not every international or foreign national requires a study permit to study in Canada. The following categories are studied permit exemptions in Canada;
1. Minor Children in Canada
Children less than 18 or 19 are regarded as minor in Canada, though in some provinces, less than 18 are referred to as minor while less than 19 are regarded as minor.
Minors in Canada are study permit exempted for foreign Nationals, attending pre-school, primary, or secondary education, they do not require a study permit if their parents fall into the below-listed categories.
- If they are brought alongside their parents who are either in Canada to work or study.
- If the parents are refugees or refugee’s claimant.
2. Short-Term Studies
Any program less than six months do not require a study permit, hence an international student with a course duration of fewer than six months does not need a study permit to study in Canada. If the program or course of studies exceeds six months, a study permit will be required.
3. Members of armed forces on international duty in Canada
If you are military personnel or a member of a foreign armed force on international duty in Canada, you do not require a study permit to study in Canada.
When should I apply for a study permit?
International students can apply for a study permit once there is a confirmation approval from the institute they applied for that their admission was successful and an acceptance letter has been issued to them as confirmation of the admission.
Note, the processing time for study permits varies, depending on the country, hence you are expected to plan ahead in other to get your study permit processed before the beginning of the academic session or your program.
How to apply for study permit?
The application can be done online.
The application can also be done via paper, but this is for those who are not eligible to apply online due to physical disability.
The application can be done at the point of entry by United States of America citizens
Duration one can stay in Canada with a Study Permit.
The duration one can stay in Canada is proportional to the validity of one’s study permit. The study permit duration is always issued in line with the duration of one’s course of study.
In Canada, one can live 90 days after the expiration of the issued study permit, this period is to enable the person to prepare for his or her exit from Canada.
There are sometimes when perhaps the study permit might expire before one graduates due to a change of the duration of the course, in that case, international students are expected to apply for an extension of study permit before it expires.
In the case one graduates earlier before the expiration of the study permit, one is required to leave Canada 90 days after graduation.
Study Permit Application Cost.
The cost of each application is $150 CAD.
Requirement for Study Permit Application
- Letter of Acceptance
- Financial evidence or Proof
- Medical result or Health Record
- Identity proof
- certificat d’acceptation du Quebec (for those who want to study in the province of Quebec)
1. Acceptance letter
The first document you must get before applying for a study permit is an Acceptance Letter from a Designated Learning Institute (the school or institute of study you applied for in Canada).
The acceptance letter is proof that you have secured admission to a Canadian University or Designated Learning Institute.
The Acceptance Letter contains the necessary information needed in processing your Study Permit.
It is important to be abreast with necessary information before applying for a course or program in Canada.
Note, it is not all work programs that are eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit. If your plan is to permanently relocate to Canada through studies, you must choose a program that makes you eligible to apply for Post-Graduation Work Permit.
2. Financial Proof or Evidence
A major factor that determines if your application for a study permit will be granted is proof of financial support.
The IRCC will not want a student that would be a financial liability to Canada, hence an adequate check would be carried out to know if you or your guardian are financially capable of bankrolling not just your studies but your living expenses in Canada. This can be done via bank statements.
Applicant must show proof that he or she has sufficient funds or the financial power to support himself or her spouse or family members going with him or her.
3. Identity Proof
The applicant is expected to have a valid international passport of his or her country and a two-size passport photograph.
Steps to follow in applying for study permit
Step 1. Check your eligibility Status.
This is to ensure you meet the eligibility requirement to study in Canada. One of the eligibility requirements is language proficiency.
Step 2. Take language proficiency Exam
Canada has two official languages, English and French languages. You are required to be proficient in either in English language or French Language, both is an added advantage. Applicants are to pass the minimum ClB benchmark.
If you are applying for a Canadian study permit, you will be required to take one of the following exams.
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) EXAM
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam
- Test d’evaluation francais (TEF) Exam.
- Test de connissance du francais pour le Canada (TCF Canada)
Step 3. Get an Acceptance Letter from a Designated Learning Institute
By now you should have done your research as regards the choice of program or course of study you desired to study, and apply to any of the designated Learning Institute.
If your admission application is successful, you will be issued an acceptance letter as proof that you have been admitted.
Step 4. Apply for a Study Permit
Once you have your required documents, such as acceptance letter, Proof of Financial support, Result of Language proficiency exam, and every other required document by IRCC.
The next thing to do is submit your application for a Canadian study permit via the IRCC website.
How do Navigate the IRCC website
- Create an account on the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Scan yours document or use electronic copies to submit
- Once your application is successful, you can begin to apply for a visa. (EXCEPT YOU ARE IN A VISA EXEMPT COUNTRY)
It is important to note that, there is different study permit and a visa.
Visa is the document that allows foreign nationals who are not from the visa-exempt country to enter Canada, while a study permit is a document that allows foreign or international students that do not study permit-exempt to study in Canada.
