All You Need to Know about the Canadian Student Visa Documentation Checklist

Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for international students in recent years. It is a dream study abroad destination for thousands of students and immigrants. However, a Canadian student visa is one of several hurdles that students must overcome before travelling.

You can start your visa application after you receive your acceptance letter from your chosen university. Pay the deposit to secure your place and move on to the next important step, applying for a student visa. The visa process can be complicated, so it’s explained in detail in this blog!

Here is a list of the documents you will need when applying for a student visa:

• Valid passport

  Students must have a valid passport in order to apply for a student visa. The Canadian High Commission mandates that every student should have a valid passport for the entire period of their expected stay in the country.

• Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

  It is necessary for the student to obtain an acceptance letter from the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in which he/she intends to enrol. The authorities will then recognise the Designated Learning Institution as a university. Students studying in Quebec must also obtain a certificate of acceptance from the Quebec government. You must acquire this before you apply for a study permit.

• Proof of financial resources

  Students must provide proof of financial resources when applying for a student visa. This will include:

  • Travel costs to Canada
  • Tuition fees
  • Living expenses in Canada

  Students need a minimum of CAD 10,000 for each year of their stay. In addition, the student must demonstrate that they have the means to make a reasonable return. Students wishing to apply to Quebec need a minimum of CAD 11,000 for each year they intend to stay. Other mandatory documents required for a Canadian student visa include financial institution documents, bank statements, proof of tuition fees and room and board payments.

• Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

  International students are required to undergo a mandatory Immigration Medical Examination (IME) at least one week prior to the start of their visa application. This allows the doctor sufficient time to review and upload all required documentation.

• English Language Test

  Prior to commencing the visa application process, students must take the English Language Proficiency Test and obtain their results. It is required that they submit their English scores to confirm their acceptance to the Canadian university. Tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and other related tests are all accepted. The minimum score required for students to obtain a visa is 90/120 for TOEFL. For IELTS, an overall band of 6.5 with no bands lower than 6 is required.

• Statement of Purpose

  When applying for a Canadian study permit, students must submit an essay explaining why they are coming to Canada, why they have chosen the particular institution, their plans after graduation and their future goals.

• Passport-style photographs

  With your application, you must attach a passport-sized photograph taken within the last six months. This will be your visa photo, which you will upload and submit with your online visa application.

Canadian student visa processing time

If the student is applying for a study permit outside of Canada, it can take up to eight weeks to process. It is highly recommended to apply at least 3-4 months in advance, as the processing time depends on the country of residence and the type of visa.

Canadian Student Visa Fee

There are different types and classes of Canadian visas which can make you confused.

The Canadian visa applications can be processed via two modes - offline or online depending on your case. A student visa costs CAD 150. You can pay the student visa processing fee online via a credit or debit card. A demand draft can be used for offline payment. An additional biometric fee of CAD 85 must be paid after you submit your visa application.

Visa applications can be challenging. At MWT Education Consultancy, we can help to make this process hassle-free. Our professional visa experts guide students through the process and the outcome, and ensure a smooth student visa process in Canada.

Conclusion

Hope this blog has answered most of your questions on obtaining a Canadian visa! If you would like to know more about studying in Canada or need further assistance with your application or international education, please contact our experienced advisors at MWT Education Consultancy.