Study in Canada: A Guide for International Students
Want to study in Canada? We answer all your top questions, including how much it costs to study in Canada, which courses are available and how you can use your Canadian study permit as a pathway to obtain Canadian permanent residence.
What Are My Chances of Becoming an International Student in Canada?
The number of international students in Canada continues to grow every year. Many of them are able to stay in Canada after finishing their studies.
Approval of a Canadian study permit is always at the discretion of the visa officer.
Last year, Canada admitted more than 400,000 international students. The majority of those students came from France, Nigeria, China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Iran, India, and Vietnam.
Diversity of international students is a priority for the Canadian government. In 2019, it launched Building on Success, a new International Education Strategy (IES).
The government has budgeted $147.9 million dollars towards this goal over the next five years.
You can boost your chances of success by working with us through our International Student Program.
Canadim’s International Student Program
Canadim’s International Student Program can help to guide you through the process. From getting your study permit to permanent residency, we’ll be there every step of the way. With our help, you can transform a Canadian education into Canadian permanent residence.
Every one of our International Student Program clients is paired with an Educational Counsellor who has been trained in the landscape of Canadian higher education and immigration in Canada. With their help, you will submit the strongest possible application.
Here are the basic steps of the application process:
1. Choose a Program: Your program choice is one of the most important factors of your study permit application. You must present a strong case for studying in Canada in this particular program. We make program recommendations based on your work experience and education history. This will give you the best possible chance of submitting a successful application.
2. Apply to the School: After deciding on a program, we will help you prepare and submit your application. You need to have a letter of acceptance from a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) before you can apply for a study permit.
3. Apply for a Study Permit: With your acceptance letter in hand, you’ll be ready to apply for your study permit. We will help you to prepare and submit your application to Canadian immigration.
International Student Document Checklist
Certain documents are necessary for the application process. Below is a list of documents that may be requested of you.
Acceptance Letter: A letter sent by the school confirming your acceptance into your program of study.
Proof of Financial Support: Proof that you have money to support yourself and any family members coming with you. You must show that you can cover your tuition fees as well as your cost of living (accommodation, food, etc.) for your first year in Canada.
Identity documents: Birth certificate, marriage certificate and passport.
What is a Canadian Study Permit?
A Canadian study permit is the document that allows you to study at a school in Canada.
Once you have been accepted to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you can apply for a Canadian study permit.
What is the Application Process for a Canadian Study Permit?
There are four stages to obtaining a Canadian study permit:
1. Check your eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian study permit. You will need:
- an acceptance letter from a DLI,
- proof of financial support,
- supporting documents (varies depending on your countries of citizenship and residence)
2. Prepare your application: If you meet all eligibility requirements then you can start to prepare your study permit application. Make sure that you have gathered all documents required for your country. If you don’t show that you meet the requirements, an immigration officer may reject your application. It is a good idea to have a qualified immigration representative review your application before you submit it.
3. Submit your study permit application: You have two options when submitting your application:
- Submit an electronic application: Create an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. You can submit an application electronically using scanned or electronic copies of documents.
- Submit a paper-based application: Gather hard copies of your documents and mail them to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) assigned to your country.
4. If your study permit is approved, come to Canada! You do not receive your Canadian study permit until you arrive at a Canadian Port of Entry (POE). If your permit is approved, the Canadian government will issue you a Port of Entry Introduction Letter. You must show this letter to the immigration official when you arrive in Canada to get your study permit.
How Long Does it Take to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit?
Processing times for study permits vary greatly. The amount of time it takes depends on your country of residence.
The shortest processing time is 1-2 weeks, but some applicants can expect to wait as long as 16 weeks. Processing times depend on the volume of applications received. If you’re applying close to the beginning of Canada’s academic year you may experience delays.
Want faster processing times? Find out if you are eligible for the Study Direct Stream (SDS).
What Are the Conditions of a Canadian Study Permit?
There are certain terms and conditions attached to a Canadian study permit. You must respect these conditions in order to retain all the benefits of your study experience.
- You must be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- You must be enrolled as a part-time student, or a full-time student if studying in Quebec
- You must not take any authorized leaves longer than 150 days from your program of study
It is important to understand and respect the terms of your study permit. In doing so, you will get the most out of your study abroad experience in Canada. Students who respect the terms of their study permits also have a better chance of being granted a post-graduate work permit.
How Much Does it Cost to Study in Canada?
The good news is that studying in Canada is affordable. Canadian tuition fees are generally lower than those in Australia, the U.S. and the U.K.
In the 2018/2019 school year, the average annual tuition for an undergraduate international student in Canada was $27,159 CAD. The average tuition for the same year spent at an American university can be compared at $45,950 USD.
When deciding where to study abroad, cost of living is also an important factor to consider. The cost of living in Canada can be very affordable compared to most other top destinations for international students:
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