July 21, 2021
Canada study permits: Student visas to Canada in 2021
by Arunachalam
Canada Study Permits: Student Visas to Canada in 2021
Canada has now announced a new pathway for international students in Canada to get Permanent Residency.
There are a number of important announcements that have been made regarding study permits for international students, and we’ve put them together for you:
Study permit applications are still being accepted. There is still a pending backlog so delays are to be expected. As an international student with a valid study permit in hand, or in case you were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, you are exempt from travel restrictions. International students who are staying in Canada are now allowed to apply to renew their study permit. They are permitted to continue to study and work during the processing of their application renewal. International students who have received a study permit after March 18, 2020, are currently not permitted to travel to Canada. All those who are traveling by air must follow all airline requirements. They must pass a mandatory health check conducted by airlines before boarding the flight. If they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 they will not be allowed to enter Canada by air. On arrival in Canada, your health will be assessed before you leave the port of entry. Be prepared to mandatorily quarantine yourself for 14 days when you arrive in Canada, whether you have any symptoms or not. If you don’t have a quarantine plan, you should not travel to Canada. The only people who are exempt from the quarantine requirements are those who provide essential services, for example, truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods.
What is a Canadian Study Permit?
Over 130,000 international students come to Canada to study every year. They can do so only after being issued a study permit from the Canadian government.
The study permit is a type of Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and allows students to study in Canada for a temporary period of time. It will typically list out the educational institution they are attending and the course of study. Applicants must fit a certain set of conditions in order to qualify.
In order to get a Canadian study permit, the first step is to apply to a designated learning institute. Once you have your acceptance letter, you may then apply for a study permit. Together with the application, you have to submit some mandatory documentation, and also meet all requirements set by the Canadian government.
Typically, international students in Canada who come to Canada do so with the hopes of obtaining work and remaining in Canada permanently. There are some Express Entry categories under which students could apply for permanent residence even without any work experience. Usually, however, students will apply for work and then a work visa to stay temporarily. It is only after having gained academic and work experience in Canada, that they may have more options to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
The Post-Graduate Work Permit Program (PGWPP) offers international student graduates an opportunity to work in Canada up to 3 years after the completion of their studies. The pandemic has led to the announcement of this temporary policy where graduates are able to apply for the PGWP even with online courses.
Typical Canadian Study Permit Processing Times depend mostly on the applicant’s country of residence, and are usually processed between 1-16 weeks.
Canadian Study Permit Requirements and New Rules for International Students To qualify for a study permit, you must:
- Be able to satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies
- Have in hand a letter of acceptance from an educational institution
- Be able to prove that you have adequate money for the duration of your stay in Canada to pay for tuition fees, and living expenses for yourself and accompanying family members.
- Have a clean criminal record and be law-abiding
- Not be a risk to the security of Canada
- Be in good health (complete a medical examination, if required)
Note: Any additional documents requested by the officer should also be produced to establish your admissibility.
How Long Can I Stay in Canada?
1. If you’re taking prerequisite courses Some schools might ask you to take courses before they accept you into the main program. In such cases, your study permit will be valid for the length of those courses, plus an additional year. As soon as you are accepted into the main program, you must then apply to extend your stay as a student.
2. If you’ll finish your studies after your study permit expires In case you don’t finish your courses before the date on your permit, you will need to apply to extend your period of stay as a student. Without the extension, you will have to stop studying and leave Canada.
3. If you finish your studies before your study permit expires Some students may finish their studies early. In such cases, the study permit will stop being valid 90 days after completion of the studies, regardless of the date that is printed on the study permit.
It is considered that your studies are complete, on the date your school first notifies you by completion letter, transcript, degree, or diploma.
Canada Student Visa Requirements 2021
Students looking to immigrate to Canada for study must meet several eligibility requirements. Listed below are requirements for study permits in Canada:
An enrolment at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Proof that you have enough money for tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation. A commitment to obey the law, have no criminal record, and get a police certificate (if required). Good health, as proven by a medical exam (if required).
The ability to prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires. Canada is a wonderful overseas study destination for any international student. With one of the highest standards of education in the world, Canadian degrees and diplomas are recognised everywhere. For the best chances at getting an approval on your student visa application, connect with MWT Education Consultancy.
Written by
Arunachalam
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