Study Visa

Canada is known for being quite popular among the national as well as international students because of its exceptional education system that is recognized all over the world. It is at par with the American, Australian, and British education systems, and knowing this, thousands of students come pouring in Canada every year. Apart from providing quality education to the students, the Canadian study has the following benefits as well:

• It is affordable compared to other comparable systems.

• It provides the option to work while studying.

• It provides a safe environment; Canada is one of top peaceful and safe countries to live.

• It provides immigration options to stay permanently in Canada after completion of studies.

A study permit is a document that allows a foreign national to study in the universities and schools that are in Canada on a temporary basis. This permit has to be approved by the Canadian government before the applicant can migrate to Canada on the basis of the permit. It is often recommended that an applicant starts the process for the study permit as soon as they receive their offer letter from the educational institute that they have applied to.

Requirements:

The applicant must fulfill some basic requirements before they can apply for the study permit. The applicant must:

• Have a letter of acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.

• Have a genuine intention to study in Canada. A study plan must be submitted, which shows the intended study program is in progression with the applicant’s earlier field of study and work experience.

• Have significant ties to their home country, ensuring that they will leave the country once the study permit expires.

• Possess the financial resources to pay the tuition fee and living expenses while being a student in Canada for applicants and any accompanying family members.

• Not have any criminal records according to the laws which govern Canada.

• Be in good health and must be willing to undergo a medical examination to determine that, if required.

• Be willing to provide Biometrics If required based upon their country of origin.

• Be willing to provide any supporting document as requested by the visa officer.

Working while studying:

International students may work on-campus and off-campus without a work permit if they meet these two conditions.

• Hold a valid study permit.
• Are enrolled as a full-time student.

Working On-Campus: Students may work without a work permit in any job on campus for an unlimited number of hours.
Working Off-Campus: Students may work up to 20 hours a week during regular semesters/terms. Over-time is permitted during scheduled breaks, such as winter and summer break.

Bringing your family with you:

You may bring your spouse, common-law partner and children with you if you are coming to Canada as an international student. Your spouse is eligible for an Open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer in any job in Canada.
Your dependent children can accompany you on an open study permit, so they can attend any school in Canada.

Path to Permanent Residence (PR):

Having a Canadian degree or diploma increases your CRS points and improves your chances of success under Express Entry.
So, for people whose CRS score is low, study in Canada is a good option to immigrate and apply for PR.

On graduation from a Canadian post-secondary institution, the foreign national can apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), even without any job offer. The length of the permit will depend on the length of your study program completed, and can be up to a maximum of 3 years. For being eligible for PGWP, the duration of the program completed must be at least 8 months.

PGWP allows the international students to gain work experience in Canada, immediately after completing their program of study. After gaining a minimum of 1 year experience, the foreign national is then eligible to apply for immigration to Canada under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)- one of the three streams of Express Entry.

Adding a Canadian degree and Canadian work experience to your profile, gives you additional points which significantly increases your overall CRS score, and hence make it more likely to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Also, there are PNP streams specifically for international students who have graduated from an eligible DLI in the province. Hence, coming to Canada to study opens up several pathways for permanent residence.

If your score is currently low for Express entry and PNP, the study route may be the best option for you to immigrate to Canada.

While acceptance into a Canadian university may not be difficult, the real challenge is to get the study permit approved. Canadian immigration officials need to be convinced that you are genuinely coming to Canada only to further your studies and will return on completion of your degree. Rejection rates are high for applicants from certain countries.
Hence, it is important to let a professional handle your application.

If you are interested in coming to Canada as a student, let us handle the complete process for you. We will guide you on the program and university that best suits you if your aim is to permanently settle in Canada, take care of the admission process, and prepare the complete study permit application.

To know more, book a free consultation with our licensed immigration consultant.