How to Get Canada Student Visa from India?

Any aspirant planning to pursue higher studies in the country is required to acquire a Canada student visa. It is a legal document that the Canadian government will only provide to foreign nationals who meet the standards, provide the necessary paperwork, and are not just looking for a way to immigrate into the country.

Among the major sources of international students in Canada, India remains among the top, sending in thousands of students every year as a result of the post-study work opportunities and the impeccable academic standards maintained by the country. However, proper procedures and regulations must be followed and maintained to receive a study permit in Canada, which will allow all eligible students to enter and study at one of the top universities in the country.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the Canada student visa, which is also called the student permit.

What is the Canada Student Visa?

The Canada student visa, called the Student Permit, is the legal document that allows any foreign national to travel to Canada for higher studies in university/college programmes that last longer than 6 months. The permit is offered to foreign nationals who have been enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and are set to begin their studies in any one of the upcoming intakes in Canada. This student permit remains valid for the entire duration equivalent to the programme length and an additional 90 days.

In Quebec, the student permit is called the Quebec Acceptance Certificate and is required by all foreign nationals planning to study at a college or university in Quebec. Meanwhile, students enrolled in programmes or courses that will be completed within 6 months are required to apply for a Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).

Also Read: Benefits of Studying in Canada

How Much Does a Canada Student Visa Cost for Indian Students?

As part of the application fees for a Student Permit in Canada, all foreign nationals must pay a Canada student visa fee of CA $150. Additionally, students must also pay the biometric cost of CA $85 after submitting their visa application at the specified Visa Application Centre(VAC). Here are a couple more things to remember:

• VAC service fees are not included in the stated visa fee. The additional service fees that apply to your area must be paid by you. Every payment will also be provided with a receipt. Kindly retain the receipt as evidence of your payment.
• Applications for Canadian visas can be received online or offline. The VAC accepts cash payments, offline payments, and internet payments for visa processing fees. When the application is filed, this fee must be paid, or a fee receipt for an online payment must be given.

Here’s a breakdown of the fees you are expected to pay to acquire a student permit in Canada.

When applying for the appropriate student visa in Canada, it is important to know all the costs and procedures that need to be completed. We recommend that you connect with AECC Counsellors to learn more about the Canada student visa today.

Canadian Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students

Before sending in your applications for the Student Permit in Canada, it is important to ensure you qualify to apply for the same. The eligibility criteria for a Canada student visa, as per the IRCC, have been listed below:

• Applicants should be enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Provide proof of sufficient funds to cover the following expenses:
  • The annual tuition fees
  • Living expenses to cover the needs and requirements of the applicant and family member, equivalent to CA $22,895 per applicant.
  • Return cost for the applicant and their family member.
• Provide a police certificate as proof of having no criminal record (if required)
• Candidates must be in good health and undergo a medical test as proof of good health (if required)
• Provide proof of strong ties to the home country to prove to the visa officer the commitment to return after the end of the student permit.

Which Documents are required for a Canada Student Visa?

After ensuring you have met the above-mentioned requirements, you must gather the following documents to submit as part of the Canada student visa application process.

• An acceptance letter from a Canadian college or university as proof of admission.
• Passport or any other valid document as proof of identification.
• Instructions from the Visa Office: Any specific regulations issued by the Visa Office.
• Proof of Financial Support: Bank statements, Canadian scholarship documents (if any), or any other documents proving you have the money to pay for living expenses, tuition, and round-trip travel.
• A recent photograph taken no older than 6 months
• The IME or Immigration Medical Examination
• Scores from a valid English Language Proficiency Exam
• Statement of Purpose
• Credit Card
• PAL/TAL: A certificate offered by the university/college where you have been accepted and have paid the required fees as per admission requirements.

Additional Relevant Documents, if Necessary:

• Letter of Explanation: A letter providing reasons for your study in Canada.
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): Any relevant investment-related documentation.
• The Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ): Necessary for students who want to pursue their studies in Quebec.
• Custodian Declaration: A statement certifying the custodian's duty for younger pupils.

In addition to these documents, consult with the visa application centre or your AECC study abroad counsellor to learn more about the documents required for the Canadian student visa.

Step-By-Step Application Process for a Canada Student Visa

After ensuring your eligibility and gathering all the documents, it is important to begin the application process for the Canadian student visa as soon as possible. It should be noted that each country has its own visa processing times; therefore, to avoid last-minute hassles, students must start their application process as soon as possible with the best preparation possible. Let’s see how you can apply for a student permit in Canada this year.

Step 1: Get your letter of acceptance from the university

An acceptance letter from your university will be sent to you when you have applied for and been accepted into your preferred course. This letter needs to come from an approved Designated Learning Institution. In order to receive this, you must provide your educational institution with:

• Birth certificate
• Recent Photograph
• Current active Passport
• Secondary school transcripts or an earlier degree
• If necessary, a letter of work experience
• English Language Proficiency scores.

After receiving your acceptance letter from a DLI in Canada, it is important to finalise your decision and complete the steps required to be enrolled in the university. These steps would usually include:

• Paying the annual/semester tuition fees and university fees, as directed in the acceptance letter.
• Sending the receipt of the said payment to the university.
• Waiting for the university to send in the PAL/TAL that you will have to submit during the visa application process. In Quebec, this document is called as the certificate of acceptance, or CAQ.

Step 2: Register online and begin the application process for a study permit

Using the CIC website to apply online is the quickest and easiest option. Depending on the programme's length and your travel and stay requirements, you must either apply for a Student Permit (for courses longer than 6 months) or a Visitor Visa (for courses shorter than 6 months). 

Step 3: Obtain a code for your unique checklist

You will receive a personal checklist code if you are qualified. This is good for a whole year. This contains an application instruction, an estimate of the costs, and a list of the paperwork that you must provide to acquire the Canada student visa for your higher studies abroad.

Step 4: Prepare your documentation

Gather the necessary documents as highlighted in the document checklist that you must download from the official IRCC website. All the documents, including any additional documents that the applicant may need to submit, will be mentioned in this checklist. Some of these documents include:

• Temporary authorisation for residence
• Biometrics
• A health examination
• Police clearance
• Certificate of English proficiency: IELTS Academic/Cambridge English/TOEFL iBT/PTE Academic
• Your CAQ if you're a Quebec student
• Documentation of your institution's acceptance
• ID proof
• Documentation of your capacity to sustain your finances while residing in Canada
• An explanation letter
• You require a custodian declaration if you are a minor.

Step 5: Acquire verification of your English language proficiency

When applying for a Canada student visa, you have to prove your proficiency in either French or English. There is a wide range of venues where you can take the English test. However, since you will be required to submit a language proficiency test score at the time of your university application, you can simply submit those scores with the documents.

Step 6: Open a MyCIC account and file a visa application

Enter your unique checklist code after registering on the MyCIC website. Complete the application and send it in with all the requested documentation.

Step 7: Cover the cost of your study permit in Canada

Through the account, you must pay the visa processing and biometrics fees, i.e. CA $150 for visa processing and CA $85 for biometrics. Additional charges will apply for additional members travelling with the applicant.

Canada Student Visa Processing Time for International Students

All applicants applying for a student permit in Canada from outside the country will need to keep the visa processing times in mind when submitting the application form. It should be noted that foreign nationals will only be allowed to enter the country for higher studies if they possess a valid Student Permit.

In India, the student visa processing times can take anywhere between 4-12 weeks after submission of the application form. It is advisable to check the visa processing times at the time of submission to ensure you will receive the Canada student visa in time for you to enter the country and attend the classes on time.

Note: During high traffic periods throughout the year, the visa processing times will be longer; therefore, consider those processing times as well.

Canada Student Visa: After You Apply

Once you have applied for the Canadian student visa, there are certain steps and processes that applicants need to follow and adhere to. These steps include:

• Submit the Biometrics: Pay the biometrics fees and receive the biometrics instruction letter, which will highlight the next steps and processes that you need to complete the Canada student visa application. You will be required to go to an official biometrics collection site after booking an appointment.
• Processing Begins: After submitting your biometrics, the Canada student visa processing begins, wherein the applicant may be asked to appear for an interview if the visa official feels the need to have their doubts cleared about their application.
• Incomplete Documents: In case the documents are incomplete, the visa officer may send the application back and request the candidate to present the missing documents as well. The visa officials may also request you to submit a medical exam or a police certificate. Without the proper documentation, the study permit application will not be processed. 

After Approval

After being approved, candidates will receive the instructions on following the next steps in the process. As per regulations, approved applicants will receive their Canadian student permit at the port of entry when they arrive in Canada or will be mailed to the candidates if they are already living in Canada.

For candidates who have applied for the student permit in Canada from outside the country will receive a port of entry letter of introduction, which will state that the candidate is allowed to enter Canada and study in the country. It should be noted that this letter is not the study permit. However, this letter should be carried by the applicant at the port of entry to show the border services officer to gain entry into the country.

After Refusal

Candidates who have their visa application rejected will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the rejection. Some of the reasons behind the rejection may include:

• Not having a valid letter of acceptance
• Lack of sufficient funds to cover the cost of studying and the cost of living in Canada
• Failure to pass the medical exam, if the visa officer asked you to get one
• Failure to convince the visa officer of your reasons to travel and study in Canada, or failing to convince them that you will return on completion of the study permit.

Note: Applicants can also contact the visa office about the reasons for which their application was refused. Or, connect with AECC counsellors and get expert guidance on how to successfully get the Canada student visa the next time!

Canada Student Visa Rejection Rate and Reasons

The Canadian student visa rejection rate is moderately high and is expected to spike a little more due to the stricter documentation processes and higher financial requirements, and the national cap on international student permits. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure you possess the right documents, have sufficient funds and be motivated to study in Canada, to ensure the best chances of having a successful Canada student visa process. Here are some reasons why your student permit application was rejected and how you can avoid future rejections.

• Lack of Sufficient Funds: One of the biggest reasons for the rejection of a Canadian student permit application is insufficient funds or the lack of valid documentation to back the funds. Moreover, an unclear source of funds is also a reason for rejection.
  • How to Avoid: Provide proof of having more than the minimum funds required, i.e. CA $22,895, over and above the tuition fees. Applicants must also ensure that they have had the funds consistently for at least 6 months and not just deposited right before the application.
• Lack of Intent to Return: The student permit is a temporary visa, which means those travelling to Canada on a student permit must display a strong intent to return after the student visa expires. A lack of personal ties or vague career plans can depict a lack of intention to return.
  • How to Avoid: Through financial or property documents that tie you to the country, or through dependents still living in the country, or by displaying a possible business venture or job profile that the Canadian education will qualify you for, you can display a strong intent to return after graduation.
• Inconsistent Academic Choices: From choosing a completely irrelevant programme to your previous academic achievements, or having unjustified academic/professional gaps, or even choosing a degree lower than the one you already possess (i.e. choosing a PG Diploma after receiving your Master’s) can be among the many reasons why your application is rejected.
  • How to Avoid: Providing logical but truthful explanations for the change in programme or gaps in academics and career is one of the best ways to avoid having your application rejected.

When applying for your Canada student visa this year, keep in mind that the visa officers are looking for candidates who display truthful and motivated reasons to study in Canada and not those looking for immigration. Even though the country offers immigration pathways to international students, applicants need to portray their motivations solely for the Canadian education and not the immigration pathways. If you need assistance in applying for the student permit in Canada this year, then connect with AECC Counsellors today and get expert guidance designed specifically for you.