Applying for a Student Visa in Canada

• In Canada, a visitor visa is called a Temporary Residents Visa.
• In Canada, a student visa is called a Study Permit.
• In Canada, a work visa is called a Work Permit.

If you need a Study Permit ( student visa ), you can apply at one of the CIC Canada visa offices, before coming to Canada. You cannot obtain a Study Permit in Canada. You must obtain your student visa before you come to Canada.

What do I need to get a Study Permit?

Although the visa application process is quite simple, you should prepare carefully before applying.

Canadian Embassies in some countries, such as Colombia, require students to enroll in full-time courses before they can apply for Study Permits. Students from some other countries might encounter delays when applying for Study Permits. Some of these countries are: China, Russia, Turkey, and Egypt. If you are from one of these countries, you should take time to learn about Canadian visas before you apply. You must be able to convince the authorities that you genuinely want to come to Canada to study, and that you will return to your home country when your studies have been completed. You must also submit all of the correct documents.

Planning
Before you apply for your Study Permit or Temporary Resident Permit, you must have:

• A valid passport,
• A Letter of Acceptance from an approved Canadian school,
• Proof that you have enough money to support yourself for your entire stay in Canada,
• A letter from your sponsoring organization, if you are being sponsored
   
• A medical clearance, if required
• CAD$125 for the application fee.

Financial Support
You must prove you can support yourself before a Study Permit may be issued. A letter from your bank in your country and a written pledge of financial support from a parent will show immigration officials that you have enough money to study in Canada. These expenses include tuition, homestay, transportation, medical insurance, personal needs and return trips home.

Character Reference
To be accepted by Canadian officials, you must prove you are a responsible person with no criminal record. You may be asked to provide evidence of this through your local authorities.

Health Standards
You must be in good health. You may be asked for a medical certificate if you have been living in a country with a high health risk.

Application
When you have all the letters and documents, you may apply for your Study Permit at the nearest Canadian consulate, embassy or high commission. The Study Permit allows you to study in Canada. Keep it in your passport.

Interviews
You might be asked to see an immigration officer for an interview. One purpose of the interview is to help the immigration officer evaluate you personally. The immigration officer will want to confirm that you have enough money to study in Canada, and that you will return to your home country when your course is completed. Therefore, you should be well-dressed, well-groomed, and on time when you go for your interview. You should behave in a positive and polite manner, even if the immigration officer does not. You should never lie to an immigration officer.

Fee
The application fee for a Study Permit is CAD$125. You must submit this with your application.

Passports and Visas
You will need a passport and perhaps a visa as well. Canadian officials in your country can explain this to you before you leave. The Canada Visitors Visa is affixed to a page of your passport. It tells you the date you must arrive in Canada, the length of time you can stay and whether it is valid for one or more entries into Canada. When you arrive in Canada, you must show immigration officials your passport and visa. The passport will be stamped with the date you must depart from Canada. Check that this date is valid for your whole stay. If you need more time, ask someone at Vancouver English Centre to help you apply.