Canada Student Visa Requirements 2023: Study Permit, IELTS Band & Fees

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More than 13,000 students apply to study at a Canadian University. Furthermore, according to the U.S News Best Countries Ranking, Canada is the number 1 country to study in due to the high-quality education it provides. In addition, research by the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2021 has revealed that Canada houses the top 500 globally acclaimed universities. 

Moreover, the benefits of pursuing education in Canada are enormous. First, however, candidates must be informed about Canada student visa requirements.

canada student visa

Canada Student Visa: Overview

A student visa is an authorization that allows candidates to study in Canada for a particular year. In addition, students can be employed on a part-time basis to pay for their expenses. Research by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has revealed that approximately 51% of the visa applications had been accepted. 

Here, we have provided an all-encompassing overview of Canada study visa requirements, study permits, eligibility criteria and much more. 

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Canada Student Visa Requirements 2023: Study Permit, IELTS Band & Fees
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Candidates must apply for a study permit in Canada. It is an essential document that allows foreign nationals to apply for the institution of their choice. However, it is crucial to remember that a study permit is not a visa and a permit is not the same. It consists of staying in the country, the course one is studying, etc. 

It is generally valid till the period of the candidate’s course. However, they are provided with a grace period of 90 days. During this time, they either must prepare to leave or apply for full-time employment to extend their course of stay. 

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Student Visa 

It is essential to know of Canada student visa requirements for 2021 beforehand so that the process is not delayed. For easier understanding of the students, we have listed the eligibility criteria below: 

  • Candidates must be enrolled at the educational institution. 
  • One must possess adequate funds to pay for living expenses and tuition fees. 
  • There must not be any criminal record, and candidates must also have a police certificate. 
  • Must be in the best of health. If required, candidates have to get the medical exam report to prove this. 

However, candidates must inform the authority that they will leave as soon as their study permit expires at the visa interview. 

Canada Student Visa Requirements 

Candidates must possess some essential documents while applying for a student visa. The documents namely are: 

  • Offer letter of the University or College 

It is essential to hold proof of acceptance by the University or College one has applied to. In addition, it must be a Designated Learning Institute that the Immigration Department accepts. 

  • Valid Passport 

The passport must be valid and must not expire before the period one intends to stay in Canada. For instance, if candidates plan to travel to Canada during September 2019, their passport must be valid until September 2021. 

  • Proof that you have the capital required 

Candidates must prove that they have enough funds for their course. Besides, the Immigration Department of Canada denies anybody their visa if they possess less than CAD 10,000. In addition, they must also have: 

  1. Bank statements 
  2. Documentation of the educational loan
  3. Letter from the institution confirming your funding 
  4. Proof of scholarship 
  •     Passport Size Photographs 

Candidates need to have two passport-sized photographs applicable for offline applications. In addition, one must have a digital copy of the passport size photograph that must not exceed 4 MB for online applications. The image should be recent, and candidates must have facial expressions and white background. 

  • Certificate of Medical Examination 

Candidates must undergo the medical test as per the guidelines by Canada Immigration. 

  • Proof of English Proficiency 

Candidates must have appeared for either one of the English Proficiency Tests such as IELTS, TOEFL etc. Experts recommend that students apply for their test and have the score before the visa application commences. In addition, the score also must be submitted to educational institutions. 

  • Statement of Purpose 

It is essential to submit an SOP that outlines why one has chosen the course and institution. 

In addition, the other documents that must be kept handy while applying for a student visa are: 

  1. Letter of Recommendation from Employer and College University 
  2. Certificates of extracurricular activities, if any 
  3. 10th and 12th-degree certificates attested 
  4. Graduation and Post-gradation mark sheets 

IELTS Requirement for Canada Student Visa 

The International English Language Testing System is a widely accepted proficiency test. It assesses the candidate’s ability to communicate in English effectively and is based on four essential skills: reading, listening, speaking and reading. 

Moreover, all Canadian Universities have a predetermined IELTS score that candidates must attain to get into the University of their choice. 

Candidates must note that undergraduate courses require an overall band score of 6- 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in each section. On the other hand, for Post Graduate courses, candidates are expected to get an overall band score of 6.5 with no less than 6 in each section. This must be kept in mind while applying for the IELTS requirement for Canada student visa. 

Application for Canada Student Visa 

Candidates can apply for a Canada student visa online. However, it is crucial to keep the essential documents handy. They must follow the best-mentioned tips while applying for it. 

Step 1: Create an account on the website of the Government of Canada. The account will be beneficial as one can track the status of their application. 

Step 2: Write the details of the course and institution you are applying to. 

Step 3: Log in with the credentials you have received in the email. 

Step 4: After the essential documents have been uploaded, pay the visa fee of CAD 150 or Rs 7,800. 

Step 5: Submit your visa application and track the status of it. 

Canada Student Visa Fees 

According to the Citizenship and Immigration Department, Canada, candidates must pay an application fee of CAD $150. 

This translates to Rs. 8879.83 and does not include service and value-added charges. The fees can either be paid online or offline. If one has to pay offline, one must pay the prices at the Visa Application Centre or the High Commissioner of Canada. One may keep the proof of payment handy. 

In addition, candidates must also pay a biometric fee. This is mandatory when applying for a Canadian student visa. The costs for it are CAD $85. 

Processing Time for Canada Student Visa 

The processing time commences when the Embassy or the Visa Granting Authority receives the application. For example, the processing time for a Canadian student visa is around 10-15 days. However, many times, it may stretch to 30 days as well. 

Nevertheless, it can be influenced by many factors such as: 

  • Type of application submitted 
  • If essential documents have been presented 
  • Any travel restriction imposed during the application process 
  • Change of political power 

Canada Student Visa Dependants 

Individuals aspiring to study in Canada can also bring their spouses or children along during the course of their studies. 

With this, one’s spouse will be authorized to be employed full-time. However, it is valid till the partner’s study permit. Then, of course, they must outline their purpose of bringing their family members along. 

On the other hand, if an individual is bringing their children below the age of 18, they must be enrolled in a primary, secondary school as long as their parents are employed. Moreover, if a child is over 22 years old and cannot sustain himself financially, they will still be termed as a ‘dependent child’. 

One must note that this may strike the visa immigration officer that the individual does not plan to leave the country after its expiration. 

Upcoming Intakes in Canada 

Canadian Universities enrol students three times in an academic year, much like the American Universities. 

  • Fall– This is also known as the September Intake because the course commences from this period. It goes till January. 
  • Winter– Known as the January intake and allows candidates to prepare for their study permit. It generally spans from January-May. 
  • Summer- It is the May intake, and very few Universities or colleges offer this. The intake is of short duration, and very few courses to choose from. However, the competition is less compared to the other two. 

Canada student visa

List of Universities in Canada 

Canada is home to some of the most popular international universities and colleges, offering some of the best courses. Underlined below are some of the most popular educational institutions in the country: 

  1. University of Toronto 
  2. University of Alberta 
  3. University of British Columbia 
  4. Humber College 
  5. University of Waterloo 
  6. York University 
  7. George Brown College 
  8. McGill University 
  9. University of Windsor 
  10. University of Calgary 
  11. Centennial College 
  12. McMaster University 
  13. Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology 
  14. Concordia University 
  15. Conestoga College 
  16. University of Ottawa 
  17. Dalhousie University 
  18. University of Saskatchewan 

From the above sections, understandably, IELTS is an important test and significant in pursuing higher education in Canada. Indeed, immigration to Canada comes with multiple benefits and opportunities. Furthermore, the process to apply for a student visa, the necessity of a student permit and the IELTS requirement for Canadian Universities is explained in great detail. 

However, moving abroad is not a simple task as it involves finances. With the rising cost of education, students may be concerned about their finances and approach Leap Scholar. 

We have helped more than 3000 students achieve their dream of studying abroad by providing low-interest education loans

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What intake is best for enrolment in Canadian Universities? 

Ans: The majority of students prefer the fall intake as it gives them the time to be conversant with the environment and the academics. 

2. What are the requirements for a student visa in Canada? 

Ans: Candidates must carry these essential documents while applying for a student visa in Canada: 
a. Passport Size Photograph 
b. Valid Passport 
c. English Language Proficiency Score 
d. SOP 
e. Acceptance Letter by the Designated Learning Institution 
f. Immigration Medical Examination 

3. How much is the student visa fee for Canada? 

Ans: The student visa fees are CAD $150. 


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Saket Kohli

An International Higher Ed professional with 7+ years of experience studying, working, and living across three geographies, currently on a mission to share his journey as an International Student.

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