Canada Student Visa form India

As an international student desiring to study in one of the world's most sought-after study destinations, it's essential to be acquainted with the costs associated with Canada Student Visas. By being aware of it, you can better prepare and plan for an exciting and fulfilling academic journey that seamlessly integrates learning, culture and personal growth.

Canada Student Visas Cost for Indian Students:

Recommended Reads: Cost of Studying in Canada

For Indian students aspiring to pursue their academic dreams in Canada, obtaining a Study Permit (Canada Student Visa) is a crucial step in the process. The Study Permit allows Indian students to study at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada for the duration of their chosen program. Let us explore the Canada Student Visa requirements Indian students need to fulfil to apply for a Canada Student Visa, facilitating their seamless transition to one of the most desirable study abroad destinations in the world.

• Letter of Acceptance: You must have a valid Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. This letter confirms your enrollment in a recognised study program.
• Passport: Your passport must be valid for the duration of your intended stay in Canada.
• Sufficient Financial Resources: Prove you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.
• Language Proficiency: To receive the Canada Study Visa, students need to score a minimum of 6.0 and above for Undergraduate & Diploma programs. Graduate courses, on the other hand, require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 and above.
• Medical Examination: You need to undergo a medical examination to prove you are in good health.
• Criminal Record Check: You are required to submit a police clearance certificate to demonstrate that you have a clean record.
• Biometrics: You must also provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photos) as part of the application process.
• Intent to Leave: As an international student, you need to prove to the Canadian immigration authorities that you will leave Canada once you complete your studies.

To apply for a Canada Student Visa, students must provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This is one of the major Canada Study visa requirements. This usually means passing a secure English language test. 

The following are the approved English language tests to apply for Canada Student Visa, which are given along with their minimum scores:

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) -  You need to take the IELTS Academic option. A study visa for Canada requires students to score at least 5.5 in each of the four IELTS bands requirements, with an overall minimum score of 6.0 and above for Undergraduate courses & Diploma programs. Graduate courses, on the other hand, require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in each band and an overall IELTS score of 6.5 and above.

CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) - In this category, you need to take the CELPIP-General test. The minimum score required is 7 in each of the four CELPIP bands.

CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Exam) - It is a Canadian English proficiency test, and the minimum score required is 70.

Pearson PTE Academic: In this two-hour exam, PTE Academic assesses the four components of students’ English language abilities. The minimum score required is 50.

TOEFL iBT Test: Here, the minimum score required is 80.

Here is the tabulated version of the needed English skill level for various English proficiency tests:

To apply for a Canada Student Visa, you will need to provide several documents. Some of the mandatory documents include:

Letter of Acceptance: You need an official Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.

Visa Application Form: Complete the visa application form. For international students, this would be the Study Permit Application form (IMM 1294).

Passport: A valid passport for the duration of your study program.

Passport-sized Photographs: Provide recent passport-sized photographs that meet the specifications mentioned in the application guidelines.

Proof of Financial Support: You must demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses and return transportation. This can include bank statements, a letter of financial support from a sponsor or a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.

Educational Documents: These include Academic transcripts, Certificates and diplomas certificates from previous education institutions, including any standardised test scores (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL) if required.

Statement of Purpose (SOP): A written statement explaining your intention to study in Canada and your study plans.

Medical Examination Certificate: You need to undergo a medical examination by an approved panel physician and get a certificate stating that you are in good health.

Police Clearance Certificate: Provide a police clearance certificate or similar document to demonstrate that you have a clean criminal record.

Biometrics: You are also required to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) at a local Visa Application Centre.

Family Information Form: This form should contain information about your family members.

Applying for a Canada Student Visa online is a straightforward process. Indian students can apply for a Canada Student Visa through the official website of VFS Global. The process involves filling out an online application form, booking an appointment at the nearest Visa Application Centre, paying the visa application fees, and visiting the Visa Application Centre on the day of your appointment. 

The detailed process for Canada Student Visa is given below:

• Obtain a Letter of Acceptance: First, you must receive a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. Make sure the institution is on the official DLI list.

• Create an online account: Visit the official IRCC website and create an online account. This account will be used for the application process.

• Gather required documents: Prepare all the necessary documents, which may include:
• A valid passport
• Passport-sized photographs
• The Letter of Acceptance from a DLI.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living expenses and return transportation.
• A Statement of Purpose and a Letter of Recommendation.
•  Any other documents required based on your circumstances, if asked.

• Complete the application form: Log in to your online account and fill out the Study Permit application form (IMM 1294). Make sure to provide accurate information and double-check for any errors.

• Pay the application fee: Pay the required processing fee for the Study Permit application. The fee amount might change, so check the current fee on the official IRCC website.

• Biometrics Appointment: You are required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photographs). Schedule an appointment at a Visa Application Center (VAC) to provide your biometrics.

• Submit the application: After completing the online application form and paying the fee, submit your application electronically through your online account.

• Wait for processing: The processing time for a Study Permit varies depending on the location and time of the year. It's advisable to apply well in advance of your intended start date for studies.

• Attend an interview (if required): In some cases, the Canadian Consulate or Embassy may request an interview to discuss your application further.

• Receive decision and Visa: If your application is approved, you will receive a Port of Entry (POE) and a Letter of Introduction. This document allows you to enter Canada and study. Upon arrival in Canada, the POE Letter will be exchanged for your Study Permit at the port of entry.

The Canada Student Visa processing time for Indian students can vary depending on the individual case. However, Indian students applying to universities and colleges in Canada can now expect faster visa processing through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program launched by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Unlike the usual visa processing that may take 2-3 months, SDS allows students from India to avail of their visas in 4-6 weeks.

A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is an important document that outlines your career path, areas of interest, contributions to the profession, ambitions and inspiration behind choosing a particular course. It is essential for your Canada Student Visa application as it determines whether you will be accepted to your selected college. 

Here are some tips for writing a great SOP for your Canadian Student Visa application:

• Plan your SOP Outline well: Before you start writing, plan the structure of your SOP and decide what information you want to include.
• List your Academic and Professional experience: In reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent experiences and work backwards.
• Focus on Achievements: That aligns with your study program. Highlight any relevant achievements or experiences to the program you are applying for.
• Avoid using technical jargon: Keep your language simple and easy to understand.
• Authenticity: Be honest about your experiences and achievements.
• Write your SOP in English (or French): Make sure your SOP is written in either English or French, depending on the language requirements of the program you are applying for.
• Proofread before you send your SOP: Make sure to proofread your SOP carefully before submitting it to avoid any mistakes or errors.

Since September 2022, the Canadian student visa rejection rate has been 60% for many of the Indian states. This is way above the average Canada visa refusal rate of 30%. Most of these rejections are based on common reasons like financial insufficiency, program and university of choice, etc.

The reasons for the rejection of a Canada Study Visa by IRCC are briefed below:

Financial Insufficiency: Proof of funds is crucial for studying in Canada. The rules are that students need adequate funds for the first year of the course/program. If the immigration authorities suspect financial insufficiency, the visa application will get rejected.

Choice of Program: If the visa officer questions the choice of program the applicants choose, their Canadian Student Visa may get rejected. In cases where the chosen program does not align with the applicant’s academic or employment background, the chances of visa rejection are increased.

Letter of Acceptance: A Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian DLI is mandatory for applying for the study permit. The Canada Student Visa may be rejected if the applicant’s acceptance letter is in question. Along with the acceptance letter, the applicants must meet the minimum entry requirements for the specific institution. If the visa officer doubts that the applicant is not meeting the minimum requirements, his/her student visa may be rejected.

English Language Proficiency: Proof of meeting the minimum IELTS score for Canada Student Visa requirement is mandatory for non-English speaking international students. Whether you apply through the SDS or SPP program, proof of English language proficiency is necessary.

Indian students who wish to renew their Canada Study Visa can follow these steps:

• Check the expiry date of your Study Permit: The expiry date on your Study Permit tells you when you have to leave Canada. You can find the expiry date in the top right corner of your permit. This date is usually the length of your study program, plus 90 days. The extra 90 days give you time to prepare to leave Canada or to extend your stay in Canada.
• Apply for a study permit extension: If you want to keep studying, you must extend your Study Permit. Apply for a study permit extension at least 30 days before your study permit expires if you want to keep studying in Canada.
• Complete the application form: Fill out the online application form and complete the supporting documents mentioned in the checklist.
• Pay the visa application fees: Pay the visa application fees.

AECC is a study-abroad consultancy that offers free visa application assistance to students who are looking to study in Canada. We are partnered with 750+ leading universities from top study destinations like the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany and Dubai. 

For study-abroad aspirants, AECC helps students by providing the following assistance:

• Expert Assistance: AECC offers expert assistance to students who are looking to obtain a Canada Student Visa.
• Visa Application Process: AECC can guide you through the entire visa application process and help you prepare the necessary documents.
• Visa Documentation: AECC has a team of visa documentation experts who can help you with every type of visa, including student visas, partner visas and skilled independent visas.