Every year Canada welcomes hundreds of thousands of students due to the number of benefits one gains from studying or even living in Canada permanently. Most of the benefits enjoyed by international students include;
Reasons Why You Should Study in Canada
- High-quality education at an affordable cost: According to QS ranking, Canada has 6 of its Universities among the top 150 universities in the world in 2020 and it is one of the English-speaking countries with low tuition fees compared to other English-speaking countries. This is why it is one of the most popular international study destinations.
- Excellent lifestyle: This is one of the best countries to live in, in terms of political stability, job security, and environmental quality. From astounding mountains and beautiful landscapes, Canada caters to every lifestyle taste.
- Work experience: As an international student, you get to work while studying in Canada. Even after graduation, if you meet the criteria, the Canadian government will allow you to stay up to 3 years to gain lots of experience.
- High-tech country: In comparison to the US tech industry, Canada’s tech industry is booming. It seems the tech industry is shifting successfully and expanding in Canada. The number of qualified workers in Vancouver, Toronto, and across the Canadian region is higher than it has ever been, which adds to the strong economy and multiculturalism of the country.
There are a lot of benefits you can gain while studying in Canada beyond what is stated above, but then you can not gain access to study in the country without a study permit.
What is a Study Permit?
This is a document issued to foreigners to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. This is not a Visa like other countries do, but then when you get your study permit approved, you get a visa with it. Before you can apply for a study permit, you will need the following document;
Documents Required for a Study Permit
Proof of Acceptance
You must have a letter of acceptance from your school of choice, either the original or an electronic copy that would be attached to your permit application form. The only exception is when you have a family member in Canada that approved a study or work permit before you come in.
Proof of Identity
You need a valid passport to be able to apply for a study permit. If you are applying online, you need to upload a copy of the information page of your passport. When approved, you will have to send it to IRCC with two recent passport-sized pictures with your name and date of birth written on the back.
Proof of Financial Support
Proof of financial support is needed to show that you can support yourself and any family member going with you to Canada, while in Canada. You can prove this with;
- Proof of Canadian bank account you have money in.
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.
- Proof of student loan from a bank.
- Your bank statement for the past 4 months.
- A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars.
- Proof that you have paid your tuition plus housing fees.
- A letter from a university giving you a scholarship or Sponsor.
Letter of Explanation
This letter is required to help the Visa officer understand your goals of moving to or studying in Canada. It explains;
- Why you chose Canada as your study destination
- That you understand your responsibilities as a student
Quebec Acceptance
If you plan to study in Quebec for more than 6 months, you need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the government of Quebec. Your school should give you details on how to apply for CAQ.
Custodian Declaration
This is for children below the age of 18. You need to include the Custodianship honorary form with the application which has to be notarized and included with the study permit application. Both the custodian in Canada and the legal parents of the child in the home country must sign the form
How to Apply for a Study Permit
The application can be done before you travel to Canada or when you get to Canada, but ensure you understand the option available to you.
Once you have the documents needed, you have to apply online whether you are in or outside Canada. The only reason one can be allowed to apply on paper is
- Having disabilities that avoids you from applying online.
- Having identity or travel documents for non-national residents, refugees, or stateless persons
Steps to Applying for a Canada Study Permit Online
- Visit the CIC website and type CIC on your browser to sign up or create an account.
- Sign in with a GCkey if you have one or you can get your GCkey by signing up
- After signing in, click on apply to come to Canada
- Choose the “Visitor or Visa study and for work permit.”
- Fill in the answers to the questions you will be asked truthfully and ensure to review your answers before submitting.
- Upload your documents
- Pay for the fees ($150)
Please note that when you sign up to apply for a study permit, you have 60 days to complete the application or else it will get canceled.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to apply for a study permit, you should be considering applying for your desired program in Canada. This is a very difficult choice for most people to make especially when faced with options like the USA, UK, Australia, and Germany.
If you need help making a choice, applying for a scholarship, or you need help with applying for a Visa to any of your study destinations. You should reach out to us for a consultation. One of our counselors will speak with you to assess your situation and offer professional advice.
Lastly, feel free to join our community of people aiming to study abroad, on Telegram, where you also gain answers to many questions related to studying abroad and our webinar which is exclusive to community members.