List of Documents Indian Students Need for Canada Visa Application

Documents required for Canada student visa: With Canada becoming one of the top destinations for higher education, especially among Indian students, more and more aspirants are looking forward to applying for a Canada student visa. However, the Canadian government does not offer a student visa, instead, aspirants will be required to apply for a Canada study permit along with a Temporary Resident Visa.

Canada student visa will only allow you to study a programme in one of the many recognised universities in Canada. Meanwhile, you may also be required to apply for a Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation. Therefore, a good rule of thumb is to visit the official website of the Canadian Government and look out for any updates regarding the same.

We have a team of visa experts, under whose guidance you can list down the Canada student visa documents. Also, they will provide you with tips to crack the visa interview and study at your preferred Canadian university.

What is a Canada Study Permit?

Authorization for international students to study in Canada is given in the form of a study permit, which is provided by the Canadian immigration department. Without a legal study permit, foreign students are not permitted to enrol in universities in Canada. In addition, students who receive a study permit can enrol in any designated academic institution. An academic institution that has been granted permission by a provincial or territorial authority to host international students is known as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

How to Validate Your Canada Study Visa?

Letters of Introduction and all specified documents are required to be carried by international students while travelling to Canada. When they arrive at the airport, they will meet with an immigration officer. Passports and Letters of Introduction should be presented to the officer at the border control agency who will then verify and issue students with their valid Canada study permits if they find both acceptable.

Types of Canada Student Visa 

There is not just one type of Canadian visa available to students seeking admission to a Canadian university. But, there are three types that you should be aware of. They are listed below.

• SDS: The Student Direct Stream (SDS) allows students to enter Canada fast and directly. The visa application procedure will be sped up as well. Almost all top courses and specialisations are available at many SDS institutions in Canada.

• Non-SDS: The non-SDS category includes all types of visas for studying, working, and dwelling in Canada. Individuals who were unable to apply through SDS may do so through Non-SDS. If you apply under this category, you are not obliged to disclose your bank balance in your native country.

• University Category: Unlike Non-SDS, the university category requires an IELTS score of at least 6.0, which is not required for Non-SDS.

Eligibility for Canada Student Visa

Only if you fulfil the Canada student visa requirements, you will be able to apply for a Canada Study Permit:

• Must be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

• Must prove that you have enough funds to pay for your tuition, living expenses for yourself and family members (if they are accompanying you), and return flight tickets.

• Must obey the law, have no criminal record and get a police certificate (if applicable).

• Must be in good health and undergo a medical examination.

• Prove to an officer that you will return to your home country when your study permit expires.

Documents Indian Students Require for Canada Student Visa

For Indian students, all aspirants must ensure that they possess the following list of Canada student visa documents. Since most students will apply online, you must ensure that you have the digital copies required to apply for a study permit Canada.

To apply for a Study Permit in Canada, you will need to provide:

• A Proof of Identification

• A Proof of Acceptance

• A Proof of Financial Support

• Credit Card

• Photographs

• Medical Report(s)

• Optional Documents

Proof of Identification

To prove your identity, you must provide the following list of Canada student visa documents:

• A valid Passport or any other travel document. In case of an online application, you should upload a copy of your passport's information page. Once it is approved, you have to send the original passport.

• Two Passport-size photographs were clicked recently.

  • The name and the Date of Birth of the applicant should be written on the back of the photographs.

Proof of Acceptance

Candidates will be required to present a letter of acceptance or an admission offer letter from a recognised University in Canada as part of the list of Canada student visa documents. They will have to attach the original or digital copy of the letter of approval they received from the institution.

In the case of conditional admission, candidates will be offered a Study Permit for the duration of the courses that the students need to complete in order to successfully be enrolled in the programme, plus one year, (Duration of the Course + 1 Year). In such situations, the candidates will be required to apply for a new Study Permit after successfully completing the preparation courses and being accepted into the programme. This is needed to extend a students stay in the country.

Proof of Financial Support

An important aspect of the documents required for Canada student visa is to provide proof of financial support for you and any other family member that may travel with you. The documents you need to provide in order to give proof of financial support, the following documents can be used:

• A Canadian Bank account in your name, if you have transferred money to one.

• Proof of education or student loan from a bank.

• Your bank statements for the last fourmonths.

• Proof of payment of tuition fee

• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a valid financial institution in Canada.

• A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian Dollars.

• Proof of funding from within Canada through scholarship or any other Canadian-funded educational programme; or

• A letter from a person or institution providing you with financial support.

Minimum Funds Required (Outside Quebec):

Minimum Funds Required (In Quebec):

Certain other documents required for Canada student visa have been highlighted below:

• A letter of explanation to let the visa officer know you and your goals. In it, you must explain your reasons to study in Canada and that you understand your responsibilities as a student.

• A police certificate proving that you are a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and stand no risk to Canadian security.

• A Health certificate proving you to be in a healthy condition. You may be required to take a medical exam as well.

• Certificat dacceptation du Quebec - This, which is issued by the Government of Quebec, is only required if you are going to study in Quebec for longer than sixmonths.

The entire list of documents required for a Canada student visa that you need to provide as part of your Study Permit application will be updated on the official website. Therefore, check your Canada student visa documents before you start your application process.

Credit Card

The visa application fee is CAD 150, approximately INR 9,213 and must be paid with a credit card. The system only accepts credit cards and not debit cards. Furthermore, it does not have to be your credit card. You may use your parents' credit cards if you have express permission to do so.

Photographs

Another one of the most important documents required for Canada student visa is your current passport-sized photographs. For an online application, you must obtain a digital passport-size photo no larger than 4MB. If you choose to submit your application offline, you will need two passport-sized photos that meet the requirements. The image should not be older than six months. A neutral facial expression, a plain background, and no headgear are also required. Only religiously mandated headgear is permitted.

Medical Report(s)

You must undergo an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) conducted by authorised medical professionals. You should make an appointment with one of the recommended doctors and go in for a checkup at least one week before you begin your visa application. The results of your examination will be sent to CIC by the doctor.

Optional Documents

Aside from the above-mentioned documents, there are some optional documents required for Canada student visa too. You must submit an essay outlining the goals of your trip as well as your reasoning for choosing this particular college. You would have been required to submit your English language proficiency score in order to confirm your admission to the Canadian University. TOEFL scores, IELTS scores, or other tests are accepted. Although these materials are optional, they are strongly recommended.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

The table highlighted below depicts the minimum English language proficiency score requirements for international students to apply for a Canada student visa and study in Canada:

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Getting a Canadian student visa takes more than a perfect application. Prepare and know all about the visa application process with our professionals.

How an Indian Student Should Apply for a Canadian Study Permit?

If you are interested in studying in Canada, then you probably will need to apply for a Canada Study Permit. Here are the steps on how to apply for a Canada student visa.

• Ensure You Have the Documents: Collect and ensure that you have the right documents to apply for a Study Permit in Canada. If you are applying online, ensure you have digital copies of all your documents.

• Answer Questions for the Online Tool: When applying, you will be required to answer certain questions so that the website can cater to you, personally and request the appropriate documents.

• Submit the Application Form: Upload your documents and complete the application form with the relevant, complete and correct information.

• Pay Your Fees: There are two different fees that you will be required to pay, viz. Processing Fees and the Biometric Fees. Pay these fees to complete your application for a Canadian Study Permit

• Check Your Status: Once the application form has been submitted, you can check your application status online.

Interested to know more about thedocuments required for Canada student visa application? Check out the following video for the same:

Post Application Process of Canada Study Permit 

Once you have applied for a Canada study permit to study in Canada and have submitted all the documents that were needed for the Canada visa application, here are some of the post-application procedures that you must be aware of:

Fingerprints and Photo (Biometrics)

To prevent processing delays, schedule your biometrics collecting session as soon as possible. If you are unable to schedule an appointment by the time specified in your biometric instruction letter, there may be procedures in place to assist you.

Processing of the Study Permit Application 

The officials will review your application to ensure that you have all of the required documentation. If the paperwork required for a Canada visa application is lacking, they may reject your application or request the missing documents. The officials may request that you attend an interview with officials in your country or submit further information.

Check of Missing Documents

If you were unable to submit all of the essential papers with your application, you can do so using your online account or the web form. The Canadian embassy will not process your study permit until you have completed the application procedure. Delays in processing will occur if documents are not submitted on time.

Updating your Application

Last but not least, if you relocate or alter your address, phone number, or other contact information after applying for and submitting your Canada visa, you must update your information after providing the missing papers. You will get your study permit either at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada or by mail if you are already in Canada.

Canadian Student Visa Fees

As mentioned above, you will need to complete the payment of certain fees successfully complete and submit your application form. There are two categories for which you will be required to pay the fees, viz., the Processing Fee and Biometric Fees.

• Processing Fees refer to the fees related to processing your Study Permit applications.

• Biometric Fees will be charged for the collection of fingerprints and a digital photograph.

Note: The Canadian government can change the fees subject to their needs and requirements. Therefore, keep checking the official website of the Canadian government to be updated on the latest fees.

Canadian Student Visa Processing Time

Study Permit Canada may take anywhere between 2-4 months to get processed. The time taken depends on:

• Medium of Application: online, mail, post, etc.

• Clarity of Application: true and fair documents and organized application

• Level of Completion: financial proofs, application fee, GIC, insurance, etc.

If your application, documents and eligibility requirements are satisfying to most then the application shall be easily processed and you will get your Study Permit easily.

Canada Student Visa Renewal

International students can apply for a Canadian Study Permit renewal in order to continue studying in Canada. In order to gain a renewed permit, you will have to keep in mind the following:

• Apply for study permit renewal only if you plan to study further in Canada. For any other reason, the permit would notbe a legal and valid option.

• Apply at least 30 days before your study permit expires.

• Application may be made online.

An extension of 90 days is ordinarily available on the Study Permit over and above the course duration. You may apply for renewal at the start of this period even. However, it is possible that you are not sure of your future plans for either work or study and hence you may stall applying until 30 days are left in the expiry of your study permit.

PR in Canada Visa Options

If a candidate chooses to study in Canada, he will receive points in three areas: language, education, and job experience, as well as bonus points if he is young. A Canadian education might provide crucial points for several immigration streams such as Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Students are also permitted to work up to 20 hours per week while enrolled in their course, which allows them to get significant Canadian job experience while simultaneously increasing their CRS score.

The distribution of points according to this approach is shown in the table below:

Studying in Canada will allow you to acquire acquainted with the culture, people, and language (English/French), which will aid in your social integration after you become a permanent resident.

Stay Back Period in Canada

To be eligible to return to Canada, a student must enrol in a course for at least 8 months.

A course lasting less than eight months does not allow students to stay or apply for a PR in Canada. A student must pursue a course with a duration of fewer than two years in order to be eligible for a post-graduation work permit with the same duration as the course.

For example, an eight-month course equals an eight-month work permit after graduation.

If the student pursues a two-year course (master's or diploma), they are eligible for a three-year post-graduation work permit. For example, a two-year master's programme in Canada is equivalent to a three-year post-graduate work permit.

Work Authorization for International Students in Canada

Students must be at least 18 years old. Without the need for a work permit, international students at Canadian universities can work on-campus or off-campus for up to 20 hours per semester and full-time during breaks such as the winter or summer holidays. Foreign students enrolled in a programme requiring work experience, such as a co-op or internship programme.

Spouses generally have the same rights as students who are already in Canada. As a result, if the student with a Canada student visa has the right to work, so will the spouse who comes to join them.

As you are now well aware of the list of documents required for a Canada student visa, its application process, visa processing time and fees, etc., it is advisable that you apply for a Canada study permit well in advance to avoid any last-minute blunders.

Are you still confused about the documents required for a Canada student visa application? You can clarify all your doubts regarding your Canadian visa application by writing to us at abroad@collegedekho.com.