A Study Permit is the same as a Student Visa.  Once a student has received an offer to study at a Canadian Institute, the next step in the process is to apply for a Study Permit with the High Commission of Canada or  Visa Application  Centre (VFS).

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If your course is less than six months in duration, a study permit is not required.  In case you are looking at continuing with your education beyond six months or are looking to work while they study, then it would be beneficial to apply for a study permit.

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Since January 2024, the Canadian Government has capped the number of study permits which will be issued every year.   Each province has been allocated a certain number of study permits that they can issue.  Each province has also announced guidelines for the institutes in their province.  To know more about the number of study permits allocated for the province that you are considering applying in, please click here.

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Along with a study permit, a student will require either a visitor visa ( a temporary resident visa) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA).  If the study permit is issued by the Canadian Immigration, a visitor visa or eTA is automatically issued.  You do not need to apply separately or pay additional fees for the visitor visa.

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The main criteria for issuing a Study Permit are :

1.  The student is enrolled at a Designated Learning Institute

2.  The student can prove that he/she has enough funds to pay for tuition fees, living expenses and return transportation.

3.  Ready to obey the law; has no criminal record and provides a police certificate

4.  Is in good health and gets a medical certificate

5.  Can prove to the officer that they will leave Canada when the study permit expires.

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The Immigration Officer can put conditions on the study permit such as allowing the student to work in Canada, travel within Canada or the date when the student must stop studying.

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Applications for study permit should ideally be submitted at least three months prior to date of travel.  

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Below are the documents that you will need to submit with your application and the process involved in getting a study permit:

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1.Documents required for Study Permit

• Valid Passport

• Application form with 2 passport-size photographs

• Personal Information Form

• Student Questionnaire Form

• Statement of Purpose:  Many Universities require the SOP as part of the application process.  The SOP may also be required by the Visa Officer to understand why you want to study in Canada and why you have chosen a particular program or institute.  

• Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian Educational Institute (Hard copy or e-copy).  As of January 22, 2024, the institute must validate the letter through the IRCC portal.

• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is a letter from the Provincial Government verifying that the student's admission is aligned with the province's strategy for managing international student numbers.  Scroll below for more about the PAL.

• Medical Certificate (advisable to have this done before applying)

• A Certificat d'acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) if you are planning to study in Quebec

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2.  English Language Proficiency Exam Score

• IELTS/TOEFL or any other accepted Exam score card (taken within the last 24 months with an overall score not less than 6.0)

• Copy of most recent degree with mark sheets

• Other educational degrees

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3.  Proof of Funds

Financial documents (Funds include Tuition + living costs for first year of study including travel expenses to and from Canada).  IRCC has announced that it is raising the cost-of-living requirement for study permit applicants from January 1, 2024.  This would mean that from January 1, students applying for a study permit would need to show proof of funds of CAD $20,635 to cover cost of living expenses apart from tuition and travel costs. The earlier requirement was CAD $10,000.  The cost-of-living requirement will be adjusted every year.

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Students can provide proof of funds through the following:

• Proof of a Canadian Bank account in their name, if they have transferred money to Canada​

• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.

• Proof of a student or education loan from a bank

• Bank statements for the last 4 months.

• A Bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars. 

• Proof of paid tuition and housing fees

• A letter from the person or school giving the student money for their living expenses and education. 

• Proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are enrolled in a Canadian-funded educational program

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4.  Visa Application Processing Time

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      The estimated time for processing the visa application is 8 weeks from the date of submission.  The application can be submitted either online or a paper application.  Visa processing time can vary by country.

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5.  Visa Application Processing Fee

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        The Visa Application Process Fee is around C$ 150. 

 

STUDENT DIRECT STREAM

 

The Student Direct Stream which fast-tracked the process of obtaining a study visa for students from some countries has been withdrawn with effect from November 8, 2024.  All students are now required to submit applications through the Standard Application process.

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PROVINCIAL ATTESTATION LETTERS

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The Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is a new requirement following the national cap on international student permits issued annually.  This year, the cap has been set at 360,000.  The study permits will be distributed across all provinces and territories. The PAL serves as a "proof that the student has been accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation within the national cap on study permits.

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Who requires a PAL:

• Most post-secondary study permit applicants

• Most non-degree  graduate programs (certificate programs and graduate diploma programs)

• Master's or Doctoral degree students

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PAL is not required for the following:

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• Primary and secondary school students

• In-Canada visiting or exchange students studying at a DLI

• In-Canada study permit and work permit holders (this includes existing study permit holders applying for an extension)

• In-Canada family members of study permits or work permit holders

• Students whose application was received before January 22, 2024.

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To know more about how the study permits have been allocated in each province and the process of procuring the PAL, visit here.