Canada has one of the most generous immigration programs in the world. The Canadian Study Permit program is no exception.
Not only is the Canadian Education system among the best in the world, studying in Canada gives access to permanent residency pathways after you Graduate.
The Canadian Study Permit allows applicants to work part time in Canada while undertaking your studies. Which is an amazing opportunity.
Deciding where to study and where to live in Canada as a student is one of the most fun stages of the process of studying in Canada. There is a wealth of information on Canada’s top Cities for University Students. The most popular Cities for students to live are – Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton.
Montreal is home to 45 000 international students at any one time. There are more than 200 000 students in total in Montreal. It truly is the student city. With so many students to cater for, Montreal has grown into a city with great opportunities for social activities as well as for work opportunities in relevant industries for students working part time.
The low cost of living in Montreal is another drawcard for the city along with lower-than-average tuition fees for overseas students.
Ottawa is a small city in the province of Ontario. It is a popular city for international students as it is considered the best city in terms of its vibrancy, lower cost of living, and the educational options offered. Ottawa has many international communities and is popular with immigrants to Canada.
With Ottawa holding a higher general wage rate for workers on average, it is a great place for students who intend to work part time while studying. You can be assured of getting a good rate for your hours worked in Ottawa.
Toronto is the largest city in Canada. It is bursting with student focused activities as well as community cultural events year round. It is also a highly multicultural city, with Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Italy, Portugal Village, Greektown and more.
As an international student coming to live here, you can experience Canadian life as well as be exposed to many different cultures during your time here.
Toronto’s downside is it’s higher cost of living, however, many find that the vibrant city and extensive event calendar are worth the higher average cost.
Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada. It’s beautiful location close to the ocean and mountains attracts residents and students from all over the world. It is an ongoing favorite destination for international students. It has been voted one of the most livable cities in the world for full time residents and for international students.
Living in Vancouver allows you to get involved in skiing or snowboarding in the surrounding mountains through winter, where you can catch fresh white snow and extensive views of the city.
Vancouver is renowned as being one of the friendliest cities on Earth, you will make a lot of new friends during your studies in Vancouver, which can form the basis of a strong career network moving forward.
Edmonton is the capital of Alberta. It’s population exceeds 1 million and for international students the draw cards are it’s lower cost of living as compared to the other main cities of Canada coupled with the ability to live close to your campus at a lower rental cost than other cities. There are great part time work opportunities and the Universities of Edmonton are well known for their calendar of social events throughout the school season.
A Canadian Student Visa or Educational Visa is called a Canadian Study Permit. The study in Canada permit is a document the Canadian Government issues that allows foreign students to study at designated learning institutions (DLI)’s in Canada.
The following are the documents needed to apply For a Canada Student Visa
You don’t need a study permit if your course or study program in Canada is for less than 6 months.
If your main reason for coming to Canada is to study for more than 6 months, you must apply for a study permit. If you do plan on studying for more than 6 months in Canada, it is essential you apply for your Study permit before you leave for Canada.
No, you don’t need someone to sponsor your studies in Canada.
Canadian student visa requirements include a proof of funds component to show that arriving students can support themselves.
No, there are not normally interviews for study permits. However, an interview can be requested at the discretion of the appointed visa officer. In the rare circumstances that this is requested, the officer will make contact with you directly to arrange the process.
Yes. The medical examination for the study permit application is compulsory.
You apply when you receive your letter of acceptance (LOA) from your chosen University, as you will need your LOA to finalize your Study Visa application.
Yes you Can! There are different limitations with each type of student visa, so let’s cover those here so you apply for the correct visa for your course and work aspirations.
There are 2 categories of visa for students wishing to study in Canada. The SW-1 visa and the S-1 visa.
SW-1 Visa or study permit which is the Study Work Visa for students and is given to students who have a compulsory work, internship, practical work experience or co-op program within their nominated study program.
S-1 Visa or study permit is for all other students in standard education programs that have an optional work or co-op program or no included work component at all. This is the study permit given to the majority of International Students who study in Canada.
Yes you can.
The S1 Canada student visa allows the permit holder to work part time through their studies. You do not need an SW-1 visa to be allowed to work. The S-1 Study permit allows international students to work in Canada while they study. A valid Study Permit allows 20 hours of part-time work during semesters. During the vacation period, full time work is permitted.
You are not permitted to work full time in Canada during your study semester. Doing so can see your Study permit cancelled.
There is no limit on student earnings, only on the hours permitted to work.
No. Your study permit does not allow this outside of your nominated course of Study. You will be eligible to work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. During scheduled breaks, like the summer or winter holidays and spring break, you’re allowed to work more than 20 hours up to full time hours.
Canadian Immigration does not require IELTS for a study permit application. However, most high level post-secondary Canadian teaching institutions will require you to prove your language ability to be offered a place in their program. IELTS is just one of the accepted exams.
There are other Language exams that are accepted by various educational institutions. Contact your preferred course admissions office to find out which international language tests they accept.
A Canadian Study Permit Number is a document number that appears on official immigration documents and on the Passport Stamp that you will be given after the study visa is approved. For study permits it is usually printed in black ink with the letter “F” (for study permits) followed by 9 numbers.
The simple answer is they allow 2 different parts of your stay in Canada. A Student Visa allows you to enter to study in Canada. While the Study Permit gives you the permission to stay in the country and study at an approved Canadian Education Institution.
What amount of funds are required for an International Student to be granted a Canada student visa?
To be granted a Canadian student visa, all students must also include proof of funds to support themselves during their studies. Please note this is required regardless of if you plan to work part time to help support yourself during your study in Canada.
At present this is deemed to be CA$10,000 (~US$7,650) for every year of your stay (CA$11,000/~US$8,400 if you’re applying to study in Quebec) on top of your tuition fees.
Yes. You are able to leave Canada and re enter Canada during your studies. When re-entering Canada you will need to prove you are still a student, this is done by carrying an enrollment confirmation from your educational institution.
Yes, you may be able to bring your spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children, with you when you choose to study Canada.
You will need to submit their applications online when you apply for your study permit as their visas will be linked to your own.
15 days are usually enough as there are no Interviews for the Canadian student visa and permit. Do not purchase flights to Canada until after you have been formally granted your visa.
It is wise to start your application at least 3 months before your course is due to start, so you have enough time to make your arrangements to Canada after your via is confirmed and issued.
Fingerprints and a photo are required when applying for a Canada study visa.
After you pay the biometrics fee and submit your application, you will receive a letter that will tell you that you need to give your biometrics. The letter will give you the details of where you need to go to give your biometrics. You have 30 days to attend and submit your biometric data.
You will need to make an appointment before you go to any of the locations.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a fast-track program which processes study permit applications within 20 days. It is available to only residents of a select group of countries.
The Canadian SDS fast track stream for student permits is only available to residents of
A DLI is an institution that is approved by the province or territory to host international students. To find out if the institution you are applying for is on the DLI, please check the Designated Learning Institution list via the Canadian Government search function.
Yes you can change your course, institution or program without losing your Student Permit or visa, some edits will need to be made to your documents though. Your enrolling institution will be able to advise on the process of having visa documents updated.
Many international students find they need to extend their Study Permit while undertaking their studies in Canada. If you find yourself in this situation, relax, the process is not complicated, but you must leave yourself enough time to get the extension in place before your current permit expires.
You will need to extend your study permit before it expires. To do this Canadian Immigration requires you submit your application at least 30 days before your current study visa expires, it is wise to extend 60 days before expiration to give enough time for the process.
1 – Proof of Student Status
2 – Proof of Identity Documents
3 – Proof of Financial Support
4 – Medical Report.
One of the greatest draw cards and reasons why students choose to study in Canada is the Canadian Experience Class CEC program.
This visa offers international students who have been studying under a Canadian Study Permit a direct path to Permanent Residency in Canada.
The Canadian Government sees students who have spent some years in the Canadian Education System in Canada, and have lived and worked here, make great candidates to become long term Canadian residents and eventually Canadian Citizens.
Students who have studied for two years or more full time at an accredited college or university in Canada are able to apply for permanent residency in Canada under the CEC program.
The CEC Visa is one of the most sought after permanent residency paths in the world today. The first step is to choose to study in Canada. Studying in Canada provides so much more than a great education. It provides you a fuller future.
Let Canada Made Simple help you reach your goal of studying in Canada.
Many Universities will be able to work with International students to secure suitable accommodation. Some students prefer to arrange their own rents and for short, medium or long term accommodation in Canada its worth checking out Book Direct and Save for great deals in lovely accommodation.
Check your Express Entry eligibility now with our Free Online Canada Visa Assessment. Hand reviewed by a Canadian Immigration Specialist