What is a Canada Study Permit and How Can You Get It?

What is a Canada Study Permit?

A study permit is a document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities. It serves as permission for foreign students to study in Canada. International students cannot study in Canada without getting a valid study permit, and only students who have been accepted into Designated Learning Institutions are eligible for it. A study permit is not a visa. It doesn’t let you enter Canada. It only lets you study there freely.

However, you do not need to submit a separate application for a visa. Canadian Immigration will issue you a visitor visa once your study permit is approved.

Getting the Study Permit

While going to Canada, you have to take along your Letter of Introduction (sent to you by the Canadian visa office) along with all the specified documents. When you arrive in Canada, you will meet with an Immigration Officer. You are to present your passport and the Letter of Introduction to the border control agency officer who would then validate all your documents. If the officer finds them adequate, he or she will issue you your study permit.

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Study Permit

You can apply for a Canada study permit if you fulfil the following criteria:

You need to

• Have been accepted by a designated learning institute (DLI).
• Prove that you have adequate funds to pay your tuition fee and living expenses.
• Prove that you have a clean background and no criminal record. The aspirants need to produce a police certificate to prove this.
• Take a medical exam and produce a medical certificate that certifies that you are in good health.

Which Documents Are Required for a Canadian Study Permit?

You should apply for the permit after you get the university acceptance letter, but long before the start of term. For instance, you could begin the visa process around June if you’re in line for a September resumption. The following are the documents you need to apply for a Canadian study permit.

1. Valid Passport

You would need a valid passport to be able to apply for a study permit. You would do well to have a passport whose validity covers the intended stay in Canada. For instance, if you plan to travel to Canada in September 2022 for a two-year course, your passport should be valid until at least September 2024.

2. Proof of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution

You would need the acceptance letter from the university/institute you are planning to attend. A Designated Learning Institute is any university that is recognized by the Immigration Department. Only such universities can take on foreign students. If you are applying to a university in Quebec, which is a French-speaking province, you would also need a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Government of Quebec. If your application for a CAQ gets approved by the ministry but you’re still waiting to get the CAQ, you can still apply for your study permit with the approval letter you will be sent. You don’t need to wait for the CAQ to apply.

3. Proof of Funds

At the time of application for your study permit, you would have to show proof of funds. As per the present standards, you would have to prove that you would have enough funds to pay your tuition fees as well as take care of living expenses. The Canadian Immigration deems a student would require at least CAD 10,000 for every year of your stay. Apart from the above two, the student would also have to prove that he/she has enough funds for a return fair as well.

Note:

While filling the application form, you will have to show the proof of fees paid as well as the stipulated cost of living – which is CAD 10,000. If you are applying for Quebec you require at least CAD 11,000 for every year of your stay.

4. Passport Size Photographs

If you have opted for an offline application, you would need two passport-sized photographs that conform to the given standards. For an online application, you must procure a digital copy of the photograph which should not be more than 4MB. Other requirements are standard: you’ve got to have a neutral facial expression, plain background as well as no headgear (unless for religious purposes). Note:

• The size of the image should be at least 35 mm x 45 mm
• The image should be recent (not older than 6 months)

5. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

Canadian Immigration requires international students to undergo a compulsory Immigration Medical Examination from empanelled doctors. Students would have to book an appointment and visit the listed doctors for a medical examination. Canadian Immigration will send you instructions on how to get your medical exam done. You must go for your medical exam within 30 days of receiving these instructions.

The panel physician will perform a complete medical exam and may refer you for chest x-rays and laboratory tests. Once your exam has been completed, the physician will send the results to Canadian Immigration. You will not need to do anything else about it.

6. English Language Proficiency Exam Score

Though it isn’t mandatory to have it at the time of application, it is best for you to have taken an English Proficiency Test and have your English Language Proficiency Score handy before you start your visa application process.

At any rate, you would have had to submit your English language proficiency score to confirm your admission to the Canadian University. TOEFL, IELTS, etc. are acceptable.

7. Statement of Purpose

When applying for a Canadian study permit, you would be required to submit an essay stating the purpose of your trip to Canada and why you have chosen the particular institution. This will be indicated as an optional document in the checklist but you should submit it all the same.

Additional Documents

During your interview, The interviewer may request additional documents. These may be documents to prove evidence of your academic or financial status and may include:

• Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
• Scores from tests, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
• Your intent to depart from Canada upon completion of the course of study
• How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs

How to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit

You need to take the following steps to apply for a study permit.

1. Apply Online

If you’re applying for a study permit, you should apply online, whether you’re outside of Canada or already in Canada. Go to the Canadian Immigration website to apply.

To apply online you must have access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents for uploading. You will of course also need a valid debit or credit card for payment. You will still be required to provide a finger scan at the regional Visa Application Centre (VAC). Remember, in the case of Online Application you need to visit the VFS offices to hand in your passports and would have to provide the confirmation of form and fee payment as well.

Make certain you read the instruction guide before you begin your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form. You can track your application online once you begin.

It is also possible to apply in person but this option is not recommended by Canada Immigration.

If your application is approved, you will receive notification from the Government of Canada with instructions on how to proceed.

Canada Study Permit Fees (What Does It Cost?)

A study permit for Canada costs CAD 150, which is NGN 49,500 at the current exchange rate. This fee must be paid through either a credit or a debit card when the application is submitted.

You will also need to pay for your compulsory biometrics, which will be taken at a Visa Application Centre. The biometrics fee is CAD 85.

Depending on your situation, you may also need to pay third parties for:

• medical exams
• police certificates
• English or French language testing, and
• services at a visa application centre if you use one

You won’t pay these fees in your online account. You’ll pay them directly to the third party.

What About Your Dependents?

Spouses can accompany full-time students on a Dependent Visa. Children below the age of 22 are also eligible. You only need to show that adequate funds are available for their support. A spouse can also work full time if his/her stay is for a year or more.

In some cases, you may apply for an open work permit if you will be accompanying your spouse or common-law partner to Canada. With an open work permit, you may find and accept any job when you get to Canada. You do not need a job offer or a positive labour market impact assessment to apply for your work permit.

Canadian Embassy and Consulates Addresses in Nigeria

These are the addresses of the Canadian embassy and consulate for your physical submission of files like passport, et cetera.

• Abuja – High Commission of Canada
  Street Address: 13010G, Palm Close, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja
  Telephone: +234 (09) 461 2900
  Email: [email protected]
  Internet: www.canadainternational.gc.ca/nigeria/
  Twitter: @CanHCNigeria

• Lagos – Deputy High Commission of Canada
  Street Address: 4 Anifowoshe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
  Telephone:+234 (1) 271 5650
  Email: [email protected]

• Port Harcourt – Consulate of Canada
  Street Address: 15 Ahoada Street, Rumuibekwe Housing Estate, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  Telephone:+234 (806) 399 7054
  Email: [email protected]
  After-hours telephone number: +234 (806) 399 7054