Study Visa Guide
Study Visa Step by Step Procedures
If studying in Canada is your wish, consider us as your personal Genie. We help you go through the overwhelming process of obtaining your Canadian Study Visa with ease and strategic steps. While we take care of the process, below is the list of steps to be followed to lawfully land as a student in Canada.
Study Levels In Canada
Since the education system in Canada is managed by the provincial governments, the study levels and educational stages may lie in different clusters with different names.
Canada offers several levels of study for international and domestic students. These levels can be categorized as follows:
1. Primary and Secondary Education:
Primary Education (Elementary School) : Typically covers kindergarten to grade 8.
Secondary Education (High School) : Covers grades 9 to 12, and students usually graduate at around 17-18 years old.
2. Post-Secondary Education:
a. Colleges and Institutes :
Certificate Programs : Short-term programs, usually 1 year or less, offering specialized skills in a particular area.
Diploma Programs : 2-3 years in length, designed to provide specific career-focused training.
Advanced Diploma Programs : Typically 3 years, offering in-depth knowledge in a field.
b. Undergraduate Studies (Universities) :
Bachelor’s Degree : 3-4 years of full-time study in a specific discipline. Some programs may include co-op work terms.
Associate Degree : A 2-year undergraduate degree typically offered by colleges and some universities. It can serve as a pathway to a Bachelor’s degree.
c. Post-Graduate Studies :
Post-Graduate Certificate/Diploma Programs : 1-2 year programs typically pursued after a Bachelor’s degree to specialize further in a particular field.
d. Graduate Studies (Universities) :
Master’s Degree : 1-2 years of full-time study, typically after a Bachelor’s degree, focusing on advanced specialized knowledge.
Doctoral Degree (PhD) : The highest level of academic degree, requiring several years of study and research. Usually pursued after a Master’s degree, but some programs accept students directly after a Bachelor’s degree.
3. Professional Degrees:
These include degrees in fields like medicine, law, pharmacy, and dentistry, usually requiring prior university-level education for admission.
Each level of study caters to different career and educational objectives, and Canada’s institutions offer a wide range of programs across disciplines.
Study Cost In Canada
The cost of studying in Canada varies based on the program, institution, and level of study. Below is a general breakdown:
1. College/Certificate/Diploma Programs :
Tuition : CAD $10,000 – $20,000 per year.
Living Expenses : CAD $10,000 – $15,000 per year.
2. Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor’s Degree):
Tuition : CAD $15,000 – $35,000 per year, depending on the program (e.g., engineering and medical programs are more expensive).
Living Expenses : CAD $10,000 – $15,000 per year.
3. Post-Graduate/Graduate Programs (Master’s/PhD):
Master’s Tuition : CAD $15,000 – $30,000 per year.
PhD Tuition : CAD $7,000 – $20,000 per year.
Living Expenses : CAD $10,000 – $15,000 per year.
4. Professional Programs (Law, Medicine, MBA):
Tuition : CAD $30,000 – $60,000 per year.
Additional Costs :
Health Insurance : CAD $600 – $1,000 per year.
Books/Supplies : CAD $500 – $1,500 per year.
Costs vary based on location and lifestyle, with major cities typically being more expensive.
Student Direct Stream (SDS)
Indian students applying to Canadian universities have benefited from faster visa processing through the Study Direct Stream (SDS) program launched by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). While regular visa applications used to take 2-3 months, SDS processed eligible applications in as little as 20 calendar days. This streamlined system significantly reduced waiting times, ensuring a smoother transition for students studying in Canada.
End of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE)
Effective November 8, 2024
Canada has discontinued the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs to ensure equal access for all international students and strengthen program integrity. Both programs, which offered faster processing for study permit applications from specific countries, have ended as of 2:00 p.m. ET on November 8, 2024.
Key Points for Medical Graduates
- Existing Applications : SDS and NSE applications submitted before the deadline will still be processed under these streams.
- Future Applications : All new study permit applications will now go through the regular stream, with Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) still accepted as proof of financial support.
- Fair Access : This change aims to provide all international students with a fair, consistent process and enhance their academic experience in Canada.
Canada remains committed to welcoming students globally, ensuring all applicants meet the same requirements for study permit approval.
Study Visa Eligibility Criteria for SDS (Student Direct Stream)
To be able to apply for a study permit via SDS, you’ll have to fulfill certain conditions, such as:
Acceptance from a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI)
Tuition fee paid for your first year of study
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD20,635
Minimum score of 6 in IELTS with no band less than 6 or a TEF (Test d’évaluation de français – French language proficiency test) score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
You need a PTE Academic minimum overall score of 60
have a provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter
have an attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (This is only if you’re planning to study in Quebec.)
If you meet the criteria, you’ll have to submit the following documents:
Letter of acceptance from a DLI
Proof of payment of tuition fee for your first year of study
Proof of Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) payment (certificate/letter of attestation)
IELTS TRF or TEF score card
Copy of your medical examination from an authorised panel of doctors
Relevant academic background with complete academic documents
Additional requirement of CAQ for students intending to study in Quebec
Provincial Attestation Letter : International students willing to study in Canada must apply for a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) along with their study permit application. PAL is now mandatory for Canada Study Permit for all students including Master’s and PhD students also.
All applications for SDS are submitted online.
(DLI) Designated Learning Instruction
You should know that international students can only be recruited by a DLI; a non-DLI is not permitted to admit international students.
Note : DLI doesn’t entitle automatic eligibility for post-study work permit.
(GIC) Guaranteed Investment Certificate
A GIC is a Canadian investment that has a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period.
In simple words, as an Indian student wanting to study in Canada, you’ll be required to open a Canadian bank account online with any one of the designated banks. Once your account is created, the bank holds your GIC in a student account or an investment account that you’ll be able to access only when you arrive in Canada. It releases your funds only upon the confirmation of your identity when arrive in the country. While you can take an initial lump sum amount on arrival, the remaining is distributed monthly or bi-monthly over a period of 10-12 months.
Remember, the bank from which you purchase your GIC must provide you with any of the following :
a GIC certificate
a letter of attestation
an Investment Balance confirmation
an Investment Directions confirmation
The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) verifies every GIC, eliminating the possibility of any kind of financial document related fraud. No other financial document is required under SDS to prove to the IRCC that the student has sufficient funds to support their tuition fee and living expenses.
Banks that offer GIC in India:
ICICI
Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
SBI Canada
Scotiabank
HSBC Bank of Canada
Post-Graduation Work Permit
As of November 1, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) . Applicants are now required to demonstrate proficiency in either English or French, measured by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) . The specific requirements are as follows:
University Graduates: A minimum CLB score of 7.
College Graduates: A minimum CLB score of 5.
Eligibility for public college graduates
Only graduates from public colleges in fields with labor shortages will be eligible for a PGWP.
Eligibility for bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree graduates
Graduates with these degrees will still be eligible for a PGWP of up to three years, regardless of their field of study.
The new rules are intended to address Canada’s labor market needs while still providing post-graduation work opportunities for highly qualified students.
Other eligibility requirements for a PGWP include:
Completing a study program at a designated learning institution
Maintaining full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester
Having a study permit that is valid within the last 180 days
Submitting an application to extend your study permit in Canada before your study permit expired
Note : You can apply for a PGWP up to 180 days after graduating. If your application is approved, you can work while you wait for a decision, as long as your study permit is valid.
Key Updates:
Master’s and PhD students are now required to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) with their study permit application. This applies to all students.
The tighter cap on study permits and stricter PGWP eligibility is expected to reduce the number of PGWPs issued by 175,000 over the next three years.
Spousal Open Work Permit Restrictions: Work permits for spouses will now be limited to those whose partners are master’s degree students enrolled in programs of at least 16 months.
List of courses that are eligible for PGWP and study permit in future as of November 1, 2024
If your study program has a field of study requirement, you must graduate from a program linked to certain occupations in long-term shortage. The fields of study are divided into 5 broad categories:
Agriculture and agri-food
Healthcare
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
Trade
Transport
For more details, click here
Language Tests
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS);
CELPIP
The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP); and
TEF
The Test d’Évaluation du Français (TEF)
PTE
The Pearson Test of English (PTE)
Intakes Available In Canada
Fall
A popular intake among Indian students, Fall starts in the month of September
Winter
Starts in January; it’s best if you miss the September intake
Summer
Available for limited programs and colleges, the Summer intake usually starts around April and May