5 Steps to Apply for a Student Visa in Canada

February 24, 2022

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Do you want to study in Canada but have no idea where to start? You’re not alone.

There are plenty of people worldwide, especially young ones but not only, who have thought about it, but not knowing where to start can be daunting. That’s why we’ve compiled five steps to help you on your way to getting the education you’ve always dreamed of. Here’s how you can apply for a student visa in Canada.

Contents hide

1 Steps to Getting a Student Visa in Canada

1.1 Apply to a Canadian University

1.2 Apply for the Canadian study permit

2 Processing fees

2.1 Medical exams and police clearance

2.2 Application results

3 Advantages of Being a Student in Canada

Steps to Getting a Student Visa in Canada

In order to get a Canadian student visa, your study permit first needs to be approved before you are able to start studying in Canada. But, before we get to this step, let’s start at the beginning – getting accepted at the university of your choice.

Apply to a Canadian University

Before you can consider applying for a study permit, you will need to get accepted into a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). A DLI is a school or institution that the territorial or provincial government has approved for students that come from another country. Once you are enrolled in a DLI, you can move on to the next step.

To learn more about the best universities in Canada, visit this page.

Apply for the Canadian study permit

Depending on your preference, you can either apply online or via a paper application. However, the online application will be processed much faster.

There will be several documents that need to be submitted when you apply. These documents are:

Travel documents or a valid passport;
An acceptance letter from your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) of choice; and
Proof of funds for you and any family members joining you.

Additional documents may be required depending on your country of origin. These documents could be:

A custodian declaration (if you’re a minor);
A letter of explanation;
Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ); and
Any other documents that have been requested.

Processing fees

When paying application fees, it’s important to note that you will not only be paying for yourself but for anyone else you include on your application.

Biometrics – per individual	$85
Study permit (including extensions) – per individual	$150
Biometrics – Maximum fee for a family with two or more people applying	$170
Restore status ($200) + new study permit ($150)	$350

Canadian Study Permit Fees

Medical exams and police clearance

If you plan on staying in Canada for longer than six months, you will need to do a medical examination wherever you are in the country. The medical exam can be submitted before or after you submit your application. The IRCC will instruct you on how to get your medical exam done. In most cases, you will need to go to a panel physician instead of a general doctor for these.

Police clearance is also a must-have to check if you do not pose a threat when you enter Canada. It is also to see if you have any track record of crime.

Application results

If you’re from one of the countries eligible to participate in the Student Direct Stream (SDS), you can expect a shorter waiting period. The estimated waiting time for a Canadian study permit is about 13 weeks. A student permit is issued by the IRCC and does not give you access to the country, but a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) does. Not to worry, though; you’ll get both together with no added cost. Once you get your permit approved, you automatically get your TRV along with it.

Advantages of Being a Student in Canada

Many immigrants want to study in Canada as it is currently ranked in the top five globally for education. In addition, it is known to have an excellent quality of life, in general. Here are some more advantages of studying in Canada:

They have affordable tuition
There are many research opportunities
They are internationally recognized
It could lead to permanent residency

To learn more about how to apply for a student visa in Canada, simply visit the Canadian immigration professionals at mdccanada.ca. You’ll have a student advisor and dedicated assistance with your entire immigration process.