Canada Visa Guide

The proportion of Indian students who opt to attend schools in Canada has remained relatively unchanged in recent years. Excellent academic scores are required to gain admission to top universities in Canada, and a Study Permit is required to study there. 

To enter the country, a student must initially submit an application for a Temporary Resident Visa, which can be obtained from the Canadian High Commission and is made easier to complete at Visa Application Centers (VACs). VFS Global Services is the VACs designated to handle Canadian visa applications. 

In addition, candidates need to be aware of why their application for a Canada visa was denied. This article covers everything from Canadian student visa requirements to study permit documents.

What is a Canada Study Permit?

International students who wish to pursue their education in Canada must first obtain what is known as a study permit, which is a document granted by the Canadian immigration authorities. With a valid study permit, international students can enrol in educational programmes in Canada. 

In addition to this, students who obtain a study permit are granted permission to enrol in schools that have been designated as Designated Learning Institutions. 

An educational institution permitted by a provincial or territorial government to accommodate international students is called a Designated Learning Institution (DLI for short).

Getting the Canada Study Visa

When you travel to Canada, you must ensure that you bring all of the documents that have been specified along with the Letter of Introduction. You will speak with an Immigration Officer when you arrive at the airport. You will need to give the officer working at the border control agency your passport and the letter of introduction. The officer will validate both of these items, and if they are deemed sufficient, they will give you your study permit.

Processing Time for the Canada Student Visa

The time required by the CIC to process a visa application is the processing time. It begins on the day the aspirant submits the application and continues until the final decision is made. As a consequence, there is no specified amount of time allotted for processing an application for a study visa to Canada. In most cases, it takes about a year and a half. MyCIC accounts allow applicants to check the status of their paper or online applications.

Study Permit Renewal

Students are required to have a legitimate study permit to remain in Canada. If your study permit becomes invalid before the successful completion of your educational programme, you will be required to apply for the renewal of your study permit. 

You should submit your application at least thirty days before the expiration date of your current permit. Candidates have the option of submitting their applications either online or through the mail.

Dependent Visa

On a Dependent visa, spouses are permitted to accompany their full-time student partners. You need only demonstrate that sufficient funds are available to maintain their position. If their stay lasts for at least a year, spouses are also permitted to work full-time.

Visiting Canada with your spouse or common-law partner may qualify you for an open work permit. If you have an open work permit in Canada, you can accept employment in any province or territory. Work permit applications do not require a job offer or positive labour market impact assessment.

Canadian Embassy and Consulates Addresses

1. High Commission of Canada, New Delhi

7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri

New Delhi 110 021, India

Phone: 011-4178 2000

2. Consulate General of Canada

World Trade Center, 22nd Floor

26/1, Dr. Rajkumar Road 

Malleshwaram West

Yeshwantpur

Bengaluru – 560055

3. Consulate General of Canada

SCO# 54-56, Sector 17 A

Chandigarh 160 017, India

4. Consulate General of Canada

Indiabulls Finance Centre

21st Floor, Tower 2

Senapati Bapat Marg

Elphinstone Road (West)

Mumbai 400013

VFS Center Addresses

1. New Delhi

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, 

Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place 

New Delhi-110001

2. Chennai

Canada Visa Application Centre

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Fagun Towers, Second floor, No 74, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai- 600008, India

3. Mumbai

Canada Visa Application Centre

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Trade Centre 5th Floor, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400051, India

4. Kolkata

Canada Visa Application Centre

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Rene Tower, Building No. 1842, Rajdanga Main Road, Rajdanga, Landmark: Near Geetanjali Stadium Kolkata, 700107, India

Scholarships for Studying in Canada

Although Canada is widely regarded as one of the best places in the world for students from other countries to pursue their education, some people find it a bit expensive to do so here. Because of this, we have compiled a list of some of the most common scholarship opportunities for individuals who need financial assistance to continue their education in Canada.

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto
• Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award at the University of British Columbia
• York University International Student Scholarship
• University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leader
• University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship- Other Master Programs
• Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc. candidates
• Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
• OGS/QEII-GSST Scholarships for International Students

You can apply for a Canadian study visa if you meet these requirements:

• Travellers must show proof of vaccination. AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Covaxin, and others are approved vaccines.
• You have been granted admission to study at a specific educational institution. Congratulations! (DLI).
• You must prove you can afford your tuition, living expenses, and return transportation.
• You must prove your clean record. Aspirants must show a police verification certificate.
• You must get a checkup and produce a medical certificate that attests to your satisfactory physical condition.

During the interview for your visa, you will also need to demonstrate to the visa officer that you intend to leave Canada once you have finished your studies there.

Which documents are required for Canada Student Visa?

When you receive notification that you have been accepted to college, you should apply for a student visa. If you plan to start classes in September, you should start the visa application process around June. This is a list of the required documentation to apply for a  Canadian student visa.

1. Valid Passport

To apply for a Study Permit, you will need a valid passport. The High Commission of Canada requires a valid passport for your entire stay in Canada. If you want to study in Canada for two years starting in September 2023, your passport must be valid until September 2025.

2. Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution

College acceptance letters are needed. A university that the Immigration Department has granted recognition to is referred to as a Designated Learning Institute. (For your convenience, I've compiled a list.) If you intend to apply to Quebec, you will also require a CAQ, which must be properly notified.

3. Proof of Funds

Applying for a Study Permit requires proof of financial support. You must show that you can afford our tuition and living expenses according to current standards. According to immigration guidelines in Canada, a student will need at least CAD 10,000 for each year of their stay in the country. In addition to the two requirements mentioned above, the student must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds for a return fair. The following items can be used to provide evidence of the availability of funds:

• Canadian bank account
• GIC from a participating Canadian financial institution
• A student loan or education loan
• Bank statements for the past 4 months
• Bank draft (it should be convertible to Canadian dollars)
• Proof of paid tuition and housing fee
• Letter from a person or school that has provided you with funds
• Proof of funding paid from within Canada (in case of a scholarship or a Canadian-funded educational program)

The table given below provides an idea of the funds required for applicants (outside Quebec):
 

The table given below provides the funds required for applicants (in Quebec):

4. Passport Size Photographs

If you choose to submit your application through more traditional means, you will be required to submit two passport-sized photographs that fulfil the prerequisite criteria. These photographs must be submitted along with your application. You must obtain a digital copy of the photograph to apply online. The size of the photograph must not be larger than 4 MB. In addition, you are not permitted to wear any headgear or have a facial expression different from the standard neutral expression at any time.

Note:

• The image size should be 35 mm X 45 mm (1 3/8" X 1 3/4").
• The image should be relatively recent.
• On the back of each photo, you must write your name and the date you were born.

5. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

Students from India who wish to pursue their education at one of Canada's educational institutions must submit to a mandatory immigration medical examination, which a panel of qualified medical professionals will carry out. 

At the very least one week before beginning the process of applying for their student visa, it is strongly suggested that students make an appointment for a medical exam with one of the doctors listed. It will be required for the students that they schedule an appointment and go to the doctor in person. 

This is done to guarantee that the attending physician will have adequate time to validate and upload all necessary documents. According to the list of empanelled physicians, scheduling an appointment in advance with the facility or practitioner that is closest to you is always recommended.

You will undergo a comprehensive medical exam performed by one of the panel physicians, who may also recommend getting some chest x-rays and some laboratory tests done. The results of your examination will be sent to CIC by the attending physician as soon as the exam has been completed.

6. English Language Proficiency Exam Score

We recommend taking an English Language Proficiency Test and getting your score before applying for a visa. This will allow a better evaluation of your English communication ability. English Proficiency scores are mandatory for most universities in Canada. Tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE are all acceptable.

7. Statement of Purpose

When applying for a study permit in Canada, you must write an essay explaining your trip and why you chose that school. Explain why you chose that field of study. We recommend submitting this document even though the checklist says you can.

8. Credit Card

The online application system requires credit card payment of the application fee. Indian students applying for a Canadian student visa must pay CAD 150. 

Please keep in mind that the system is incompatible with debit cards and can only process payments made with credit cards. 

You don't need to use your own credit/debit card. You are free to use the credit cards that belong to your parents as long as you have been given explicit permission to do so. 

If you want to submit your application online, you will need access to a digital scanner in addition to the requirements already listed. 

On the other hand, if you intend to submit your application via traditional means, you must ensure that you have genuine copies of each document listed earlier. 

Extremely important that you are aware that to apply online, you will be required to download a few documents, complete them on your computer, print them out, sign them, and then upload them. Before applying, you must complete this. You can use a camera or scanner to do this.

The interviewer may ask you to bring in some additional paperwork at some point during the interview. These may be papers that provide evidence of your academic or financial standing. 

The following are some examples of these:

• transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from the educational institutions you have attended in the past, as well as any other relevant documentation.
• The outcomes of standardised tests like the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, and GMAT are considered.
• Your plan to leave Canada once you have finished the class in which you are currently enrolled; how you intend to pay for all of your expenses, including those for living and travelling; and any other relevant information

The process of applying for a student visa to study in Canada follows the steps outlined below.

• Ensure you check the processing times: The time required to process a visa for Canada is nearly 155 days for Indians. It is recommended that one check out the website of the Canadian consulate to obtain an estimate of the amount of time needed to process the student visa. Please be aware that the time displayed is only an estimate and not a guarantee at any point.

The application can be made in one of two ways

(a) Apply online: You will need a credit card and access to a scanner or camera to make electronic copies of your documents to upload. You still must provide a fingerprint scan when applying for a visa at one of the regional application centres (VAC). 

Remember that in the case of Online Applications, you will need to visit the VFS offices to hand in your passports. Additionally, you will need to confirm that the form has been filled out and that the fees have been paid. The only difference between each step is the documentation you need to bring to the VAC.

(b) Apply offline: After downloading the application kit, you can read the instruction guide. The instruction guide provides you with helpful instructions on how to complete your application for a study permit as well as important information about study permits. Take your time reading the guide, and use the document checklist. 

You are only permitted to apply via paper in the following circumstances:

• If you suffer from a condition that prevents you from applying online.
• If you own an identity document or travel document for a person who does not have a nationality, a refugee, or a stateless person.
• Please ensure that the VFS Consent Form is completed and that it is attached to your application form. You will need this form to get assistance from VFS services with the application process for your visa.
• Make sure you pay the transaction fee: In addition to the VFS Global service charges, visa fees must be paid whenever an application is submitted through the VFS, whether in person, by mail, or online. The processing fee is never refundable, regardless of the circumstances.
• You must pay for temporary work permits, resident visas, and study permits for your spouse, common-law partner, and children.
• Send in your application along with the supporting materials. You will need to go to the VFS office closest to you. After arriving at the location, you will need to pay the service fees and hand them your application to receive a receipt.

If your application is accepted, the Canadian government will request your passport. You can submit the letter and passport in person or through the VFS. Accepted applicants receive a Temporary Resident Visa and Letter of Introduction.

The Canadian Immigration and Citizenship website says a study permit costs CAD 150. 

Applications for Canadian visas can be submitted either online or by traditional mail. As a result, the visa processing fees can be paid online (using a credit card), offline (using a demand draught if paying at the High Commission of Canada), or in cash at the VAC. 

Each of these payment methods has its advantages and disadvantages. When the application is turned in, this fee must either be paid in full, or a fee receipt from an online payment must be provided. The required Demand Draft must be written in favour of the High Commission of Canada and drawn out in Indian rupees. Cash is the only form of payment that VACs will accept.

The visa fee also excludes the VAC service charge. Additional service fees required by law are your responsibility. All payments will be received. Keep the receipt to prove payment.

After submitting their visa application, students must pay a biometric fee of 85 CAD and submit their fingerprints. This fee is added to the visa application fee. After this, you will go to a Visa Application Center to have your biometrics recorded there.