International students who have not schooled in any of the colleges or universities in Canada are required to get a student visa to be able to commence studies. The requirements range from having a good educational background, having the means to finance your education and meeting the language proficiency. Applicants also need to have a valid passport and meet the minimum requirements of the course of study universities being applied for.
In this article, we help you understand the different Canadian student visa requirements.
What is a Student Visa?
It is a type of “visa” or permission granted to non-Canadian students to come to live and study in any of the higher institutions of learning in the country. It is also called a study permit.
Below are important points to note:
It is not a Visa
The fact that it is called a student visa doesn’t mean that it is a visa in the right sense of the word. Rather it is a permission or permit allowing foreign nationals of students of foreign countries like Nigeria to come and study in any of the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada.
Supporting Visa is Required
Since the study permit doesn’t let you enter Canada, applicants (international students) need to get any other supporting visa. Either the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or Visitor Visa will be issued alongside the study permit to enable you to enter Canada to study.
Permit is Granted for DLIs
Before the study permit is issued to international students, they must have applied and received an offer to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
A DLI means the school or institution of higher learning where an international student must have been accepted or given admission before applying for a study permit.
- The automatic designation is given to primary and secondary schools in Canada.
- Applicants for undergraduate or graduate programs need to check the list of post-secondary schools to be sure they appear on the DLI list.
Types of Study Permits to Apply for Studies in Canada
International students from countries outside Canada have three options to choose from when applying to study in any of the schools in the country.
Student Permit
Also called the student visa, this is the most popular permit you need because it is valid throughout the length of the study program. So, if you are applying for a four-year course, the permit allows you to stay in the country for that period.
On the completion of your studies, the student permit also allows you to stay back in Canada for an extra 90 days or 3 months. Within this time, you are expected to make plans for your future: whether to prepare for your departure or begin the process of extending your stay.
Student Direct Stream (SDS)
This study visa pathway is ideal for international students looking to obtain their study permit faster. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is exclusive to specific foreign nationals, including:
- Senegal
- India
- Costa Rica
- Columbia
- Pakistan
- Vietnam
- Morocco
- Brazil
- Peru
- Antigua and Barbuda
- China
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Philippines
Eligible candidates from any of the aforementioned countries will get an expedited processing time of 20 calendar days or less.
Note: some applications may take longer than that time. However, international candidates are advised to do their part of speeding things up by meeting all the eligibility requirements and completing the biometrics on time.
Applicants also need to pay a processing fee of $150 or more and get either an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or Visitor Visa.
Quebec Acceptance Certificate
International students looking to study in the Canadian province of Quebec are advised to get the Quebec Acceptance Certificate.
Getting a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration de la Francisation et de l’Intégration serves as valid attestation of issuance to study in the province.
The certificate is important if you are looking to study in any of the schools within the province for more than six (6) months.
International applicants who don’t want to study in Quebec beyond 6 months are good to go with only a study permit.
Who is Eligible to Apply for a Canada Student Visa?
As much as the permit allows international students to come to live and study in Canada; it may not be favorable for everyone.
Applicants are required to meet most of the eligibility criteria including:
Enrollment at a DLI
Applicants are required to be enrolled or have received an offer of admission to study at any of the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada.
Law-Abiding
Applicants must also show willingness to obey the laws of Canada; starting by not having a prior criminal record. Obtaining a police certificate will go a long way to confirm this.
Proof of Funds
Studying in Canada opens you up to opportunities and this costs money. International students must show “proof of having enough money” to take care of the tuition fees and living expenses. In the case of coming over with a family member, your funds must also be sufficient to cover their needs while in the country.
Having enough funds to prepare for return transportation for you (and your family members) after your studies is also a plus.
Be of Good Health
Having a good medical record is also a plus. If required, get a medical examination to confirm that you are in good health.
Provide Proof of Departure
Except you plan on having an extended stay after studying in the country; you are also required to “prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires.”
Documents Required for Canada Student Visa Application
Your application to study at any of the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) must be backed by certain documents. Applicants who can provide all those will have a smooth pass to the next stages of the application.
Proof of Acceptance
The name of the document is Letter of Acceptance (LOA). It is issued by the DLI where you intend to study and states the following:
- Level of study you were granted admission for.
- The status of the admission: conditional or unconditional.
- Possible date of admission
- Course you enrolled for
- Start dates for the commencement of the course
- Duration of the study (in months or years).
These are additional points to note about the Letter of Acceptance (LOA):
Admission Status
By default, the admission ought to be unconditional. But if the DLI gave a conditional admission, you must endeavour to meet the specific requirements, including:
- Taking prerequisite courses, including English as a Secondary Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) course.
- Completing those courses before starting the main study program.
- Applicants will only receive a study permit running for the duration of those courses with an extra year.
LOA Validity
As per the new rule commencing on December 1, 2023, the validity of the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) will be put to the test. It states the following conditions for post-secondary (international) students applying from outside Canada:
- The Designated Learning Institution (DLI) has up to ten (10) calendar days to confirm the validity of the LOA, counting from the date of receiving your application.
- Your application for a study permit will be returned and the application fee refunded.
- If that happens, you are free to resubmit the student visa application. But before that, confirm with the DLI that they will validate the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) this time.
- On completion of the prerequisite courses, you can now apply for a new student permit that extends your stay in Canada as a student.
Exceptions
Exclusions are made for prospective international students who have a family member in Canada who already received a study permit. In that case, there is no need to present a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) as part of the requirements.
Proof of Financial Support
Applicants for Canada student visas also need to confirm to the authorities that they are capable of financing their education in any of the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs).
The proofing of the funds can be done in several ways, including:
- Scholarship or proof of funding derived from a Canadian-funded educational program, of which the applicant is a beneficiary.
- You’d be required to present proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if you have transferred your funds to Canada.
- A letter from either the school or an individual willing to sponsor your education.
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating financial institution in Canada.
- Proof of having paid your tuition and accommodation fees.
- Proof of receiving either an education or a student loan from a recognized bank.
- A bank draft convertible to Canadian dollars (CAD) or;
- Your bank statements for the last four (4) months.
Proof of Identity
Validate your person by providing the following:
- Two recent passport-sized photos, with name and date of birth written at the back of each.
- A travel document or a valid (international) passport.
Letter of Explanation
This is a self-written letter declaring to the visa officer that you want to study in Canada (with reasons) and that you are fully aware of your responsibilities as an international student.
Medical Exam
A medical examination becomes a part of the Canada student visa requirements on any of these conditions:
- You intend on taking up part-time paid jobs while studying, especially where public health must be protected.
- Get a medical exam if you plan to stay in the country beyond 6 months.
- A medical examination is required if you recently spent time in certain countries.
Custodian Declaration
This is a requirement in the case that you are applying for a study permit and intend to take a minor with you. Including the Custodianship Declaration Form is imperative if the minor requires a custodian in Canada.
Attaching it alongside your study permit application is the condition of meeting these terms:
- The custodian in Canada must sign the first page of the notarized declaration.
- The minor’s legal guardians or parents from the home country will have to sign the second page.
Quebec Acceptance Certificate
This is usually optional, except in a case where you wish to study in a DLI in the province of Quebec.
An attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) will then be required. The Government of Quebec makes this issuance on these terms:
- You wish to study and have been offered admission by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Quebec.
- That your study program goes beyond six (6) months.
Note: your school in Quebec will provide guidelines on how best to go about the application. Even if the CAQ hasn’t been released to you at the time, you can go ahead to apply for a Canadian student with the approval letter from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).
Steps to Applying for a Canada Student Visa
In this section, we walk you through the process of applying for and getting a study permit in Canada.
Gather Your Documents
Put your file in order and get the following documents ready:
- Letter of Explanation for any documents missing due to COVID-19.
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the Designated Letter Institution (DLI) that offered you admission.
- Proof of Funds
- Proof of Identity
- Custodian Declaration Form
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate, if your DLI is in Quebec.
- Medical examination.
Apply Online
Except if you are disabled or hold a travel document or identity for refugees, stateless persons or non-national residents; you would have to apply online.
Items Needed
A valid credit or debit card is needed for online payments. Get a camera or scanner to create electronic copies of your documents.
The following explains the rest of the processes for completing the online Canadian student visa application:
- Applicants should endeavour to read the instructions and document checklist. For Nigerian applicants, here is the document checklist and the visa office instructions.
- Read the instruction guide for tips on completing the form.
- Answer the next set of questions for a personalized application process.
- Take note of the required fees, such as biometrics and processing fees for yourself and anyone else included in the visa application.
- Create your online account and sign in successfully.
- Pay the respective fees and submit your application, along with the relevant documents.
Post-Visa Application: What To Do
The two last steps to take are:
- Give your biometrics. Book an appointment on time.
- Wait for your Canada student visa application to be processed.
- Await further instructions, including directives on what to do next or in the case of missing documents, being asked to provide those.
- If all is through, you will get the study permit at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada. For those already in Canada, the permit will be mailed.
Wrapping Up
Getting a study permit along with a Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) permits you to complete your studies in Canada. On completion of the study program, take advantage of the 3-month stay-back period to work on extending your stay in the country so you can become gainfully employed and in a short time, get your Permanent Residency (PR) permit.