Study in Canada
Student Visa and Study Permit
Student Visa:
A Canada Student Visa allows the person to study in Canada. The visa for students is basically similar to a Canada Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTa), but along with a Visa study permit is also required. So in nutshell, the Canada student visa is a combination of either a visitor visa and a study permit or an eTA and a study permit.
The student visa will be stamped on the passport of a student when their application to study in Canada is approved. This confirms the identity of the applicant as a student in Canada and will be allowed to enter Canada on the border.
Study Permit:
The study permit is granted to the student by IRCC which allows them to study in their respective Institutions. These institutions must be designated learning institutions (DLIs) – as they are approved by the Canadian Government to take the applications and teach international students in Canada.
Your study permit is not a travel document and you may also need a visitor visa(TRV) or eTA. A study permit only allows the student to stay for the entire duration of the program, plus an extra 90 days. The extra day allows you to either go back to your home country or apply for a work permit (PGWP). If IRCC approves your study permit, they will also give you either a visitor visa or an eTA, depending on which document you need and this document will let you enter Canada.
How to Get a Canada Study Permit?
Applicants must have a letter of acceptance from a Canadian college, university, or institute before they apply for a study permit. Once you receive approval from the college, you should apply for your study visa because the study permit processing time in Canada varies.
An applicant must apply for a study permit for Canada well before the start date of the program they have been accepted to
Requirements:
Below are the minimum requirements that an applicant should meet:
- Must receive the acceptance letter from an educational institution, college, or university, from a list of approved designated learning institutions (DLI) in Canada.
- Proof of having sufficient money to pay for one year of tuition fees, living expenses, and transportation back to their home country, if needed.
- The applicant must have been accepted/received their acceptance letter from an educational institution, college, or university, from a list of approved designated learning institutions (DLI) in Canada. DLIs are the only institutions that can host international students. These expenses should be covered for the applicant and any family members who will be moving with the applicant.
- A clear criminal background. In some cases, a police clearance certificate may be required.
- A complete medical examination test and a Statement of Purpose or SOP.
- You must convince the immigration officer that once your authorized stay in Canada is complete, you will leave the country.
Extension/Renewal of Study Permit
If your study permit is going to expire before you complete your studies and apply for PGWP, you must apply for a renewal or extension of your study permit to maintain your status and continue your studies.
In case your study permit has already expired, you must apply to restore your status as a student in addition to extending your study permit. However, restoration of your status is possible only if you apply within 90 days of losing it.
If you are enrolled in a post-secondary institution and have decided to transfer to a different institute or change your course, you don’t need to apply for a different or fresh study permit. You only need to update IRCC about your decision. As long as your study visa is valid, you can remain in Canada and pursue further studies if the level of education is the same.
Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
The post-graduate work permit program allows the students who have graduated from the Designated Learning Institute (DLI) to get an open work permit. The program opted for by the student should be full-time for a length of a minimum of 8 months. The PGWP can be valid for up to 3 years, but the timeline also depends on the duration of the study program(s) completed.
PGWP can play a very vital role in your pathway to Permanent Residence. If the work experience is gained in NOC skill type 0 or skill level A or B through the PGWP program, the graduate can qualify for PR through the Canadian Experience Class within Express Entry.
Multiple Entry Visa
If you have applied for an extension of Study or a new extension of Work Permit from within Canada and you are from a county that is not visa-exempt, you may need to apply for a multiple entry visa to re-enter Canada. This is because when you apply for a study/work permit from outside Canada, you get a multiple entry visa stamped in your passport that expires when that study/work permit expires.
