Canada Student Visa: Apply with Expert Consultants

How to Get a Student Visa for Canada?

The main option for foreign citizens who wish to study in Canada is to obtain the Canadian Study Permit intended for those who plan to study there for at least 6 months.

Another route for international students to come to study in Canada is the Student Direct Stream allowing legal residents of certain countries to obtain their Canadian Study Permit faster than usual.

For advice regarding which of these routes you should venture down, call our lawyers on +443334149244.

What is a Study Permit in Canada and Who Needs It?

The Canadian Study Permit allows foreign nationals to come to Canada to study at one of the designated learning institutes (DLI).

The Canadian Study Permit is not a visa, however, so it does not allow entry into Canada. Those who want to come to the country to study need to also obtain a visa such as the Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation. Only after they receive it will they be able to enter the country.

The Canadian government usually issues one of these after they approve someone’s application for a study permit.

If you come to Canada on the Study Permit you must:

• Make progress towards completing your study course
• Respect the conditions of your visa
• Stop your studies if you no longer meet the requirements for your course
• Not work
• Leave Canada after your permit expires
• Study at an academic institution other than the one listed on your visa.

Canada Student Visa Rules and New Requirements in 2024

The Canadian government have introduced some new changes to the Study Permit as of January 2024.

These changes are as follows:

• From January 2024, most applicants for a Canadian Study Permit looking to study at a college or undergraduate level will need to obtain and submit a provincial attestation letter (PAL) as part of their application. Students looking to study in Quebec will continue to require a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) instead of a PAL.
• There will be a cap on the number of Study Permits issued in the years 2024 and 2025. For 2024, around 360,000 Study Permits are estimated to be issued.
• The minimum amount of money required for each student and their dependents has risen. For one person, the minimum figure required is now CAD$20,635 instead of CAD$10,000 as it was prior to January 2024.
• Those graduating from Master’s programmes lasting at least 8 months will now be eligible to apply for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit.
• Spouses of international students at undergraduate or college level will not be eligible for open work permits. Open work permits will only be available to the spouses of international students in Master’s or Doctoral programmes.

Who is Eligible for a Canadian Student Visa or Study Permit?

To be able to obtain the Study Permit to Canada, applicants need to meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be enrolled in a post-secondary level institution from the designated learning institutions list (DLI)
• Have enough funds to pay for tuition fees and living expenses in Canada
• Be in good health
• Intend to leave Canada after their study visa expires
• Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
• Not have a criminal record
• Have a valid Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from their place of study (unless exempt)

How to Apply for Student Visa in Canada

Applications for the Study Permit to Canada need to be submitted from abroad. And you must apply online. The process of applying online is more straightforward and the processing time is shorter.

When applying online, applicants have to upload electronic copies of the documents that prove their eligibility for the Study Permit. They also need to have a valid credit card to pay the visa application fee of CAN$150.

After applicants submit the application form and all the supporting documents, immigration officials need to review them to determine whether or not the foreign national meets the criteria for the Study Permit.

Applicants may be required to undergo an interview with officials or provide further information. Depending on the circumstances, there might also be a need for a medical exam (if required) or a police certificate (if required).

If you need assistance with collecting the necessary evidence, get in touch with our lawyers who will explain to you in detail what documents you have to gather. Hiring an immigration lawyer is advisable as the failure to submit some of the required evidence can cause delays in the application process.

What is the Student Direct Stream (SDS) for Canada?

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is an accelerated route for legal residents of certain countries to obtain the Canadian Study Permit. This means that if you are living in one of the eligible countries and you meet all the standard eligibility criteria, you can get the Study Permit quicker than usual.

You can only apply for the Canadian Study Permit through the Student Direct Stream if you are a legal resident in one of the following countries:

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

If you are a citizen of one of these countries but you live elsewhere, you are not eligible for the Student Direct Stream and, if you want to come to Canada to study, you need to go through the standard application process.

Student Direct Stream Canada: SDS Application Process

Applications for the Direct Student Stream need to be submitted online and, when doing it, applicants have to have access to the following:

• The instruction from the website of the Canadian government explaining how to fill the necessary forms
• A scanner or camera to create copies of supporting documents
• A credit or debit card to pay the application fee.

During the online application process, applicants have to select a country where they are legal residents from the drop-down list. Once they do that, they will get access to detailed visa information and instructions from their local visa office.

Then, they will be directed to the log-in page of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account. Those who do not have an account will be able to create one.

Instructions from the local visa office explain what additional documents applicants have to provide.

How IAS Can Help You Apply for a Canada Student Visa or SDS?

Applying for the Canadian Study Permit or the Direct Student Stream can be complex if you are going through the process alone. Luckily, at IAS, we have a team of experienced immigration lawyers who can guide you through each step, making the visa application process straightforward and stress-free.

We are committed to delivering the highest quality service to our clients. Thanks to the help of our lawyers, you can be sure that your application is complete and that there are no mistakes in it.

Even if your application is unsuccessful, we can help you assess your options and find a solution.

For more information about our services and ways in which we can help, call us today on +443334149244.