The Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a student visa to Canada in India

Canada is among the top destinations for international students. The number of international students enrolled in the nation increases yearly. Hitting over 300.000 in 2023 due to its renowned colleges, rich culture, and hospitable people. In reality, Canada ranks third well after the United States and the United Kingdom in terms of the number of Master’s and Bachelor’s programs available to foreign students.

What is meant by a Canada student Visa?

In Canada, student visas are referred to as study permits. Your student visa permits you to remain in Canada. However, entry into the nation requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a tourist visa. You will instantly get an eTA when your study permit has been accepted.

These are the methods necessary to obtain a student visa for Canada, along with some guidance on demonstrating language competency and on several conditions that apply only to that nation.

1. You get an acceptance document from a Canadian university.

Before beginning your application for a Canada student visa. You need to apply to and be admitted into a Canadian university. Your preferred university has to be a Designated Learning Institute (DLI), which is a university authorized by the territorial government to accept overseas students, in order to allow you to be qualified for a student visa to Canada in India.

If you still aren’t sure which program you want to enroll in, you may search to select a course and institution that fits your needs. Choose the qualification you’re searching for from Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D., then enter in your area of study and “Canada” before pressing the “Search” button.

According to the requirements stated in your acceptance letter, the length of your study visa may change. Your visa will remain valid for the period of these preparatory courses. Or an additional year if you obtained a formal offer, which means you must complete additional courses before beginning your primary program. You’ll have to submit an application for a new visa after the current one expires.

2. Find out if you require a student visa.

Everyone does not require a student visa. According to conventions between Canada and several nations, students are free from needing a permit. By completing a brief questionnaire with specific information about your circumstance, you may determine if you’ll require a study permit for your duration in Canada.

You don’t require a Canadian study permit if:

The course of study lasts no more than six months;
Individuals are on official business in Canada as a member of an overseas military force;
You are an Indian with a Registered Identity in Canada;
When you are enrolled in French language and culture classes as an asylum seeker and short-term resident in Quebec.

On the contrary, if not any of the above cases applies to you. Then you should start the procedure for your student visa to Canada in India.

3. Assemble each of the following documents:

Before beginning your online application, gather all the documentation needed for your permission. The Canadian government states that you will require the following documents for a Canada student visa:

your acceptance notification from a DLI, either in hard copy or electronically
a current passport or another travel document, together with two recent passport-sized pictures, serving as proof of identification
evidence that you have enough money to sustain yourself throughout your studies (at least $10,000 CDN each year of study, or sufficient funds to afford your tuition and living expenses)
a letter outlining your justifications for coming to Canada to study and confirming that you are aware of your obligations as an overseas student
a CAQ (Certificate of Admission from Québec) if you intend to study there
If you are less than 17 years old, a Custodian Certificate will also be required

Moreover, based on your nation of origin, the Canadian government can want additional documentation. See if there are any further criteria on their webpage.

4. Get your application started:

After you have all the required paperwork, including your DLI acceptance letter, you may begin your online study permit application. Upon submitting your application, you must:

Make sure you are acquainted with the steps of the method by reading the user guide.
Create an online account, login in, and use it to pay fees, submit applications, and monitor the progress of those applications
Complete the registration forms digitally with your full name, address, history, and educational information
Submit the necessary paperwork (admission letter, identification, financial evidence, letter of justification, etc.)
After the conclusion of the submission, pay the charges
Check your application status frequently to be aware of any additional requirements.

A student visa to Canada in India usually doesn’t require interviews. But on the basis of the officer’s evaluation of your application. An invitation to an interview may be made to you. For you will get a letter with the interview date, venue, and time.

5. Submit biometric data and satisfy a medical examination:

When applying from somewhere other than Canada and having never provided your biometrics before. You must go to an authorized Visa Application Center to get your fingerprints and photo taken. A CAN charge must be paid, and an appointment must be made at a recognized location for collecting biometric data.

You could be excluded from this condition in certain circumstances. You can quickly fill out a survey to confirm whether or not you must provide biometrics whenever you enroll.

To finish their application, citizens of some nations must also submit the results of a medical examination performed by a doctor on an official panel.

6. Start immediately. Your student visa takes many months to arrive:

Your request for a Canada student visa may be approved in as little as 13 weeks, according to the Canadian government. Thus, be sure to allow for the grace period and begin the visa application approximately four to six months earlier your trip!

Your visa’s processing time is determined by a variety of factors. The kind of petition you filed (online or on paper). Whether you supplied all the essential papers. How simple it is for them to check your data, or how quickly you respond to their demands are examples of such factors.

If a lengthy waiting period worries, you. Then you can submit your application via Student Direct Stream (SDS), which is completed in just 20 business days. You must be a citizen of one of the following nations to apply for this stream:

Barbuda and Antigua
Brazil
China
Colombia
In Costa Rica
India
Morocco
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines
Senegal
The Grenadines and Saint Vincent
Tobago and Trinidad
Vietnam

7. Confirm your English-language skills

While requesting a student visa in the usual stream. You are not needed to present documentation of your proficiency in English. But, you will need to demonstrate your English language skills to Canadian colleges. This requirement might not apply to you if you already earned a degree from an English-speaking nation.

Certification from an acceptable language competence exam must be submitted if you are from a non-English-speaking nation. Check the website for your program before choosing which exam to take because each university and program has different minimum score requirements.

The tests that are most often used include:

Academic IELTS
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academics

Country-Specific Criteria:

Based on your nation of origin, there may be differences in the criteria and processing time. For instance, if you live in the USA or the UK. All of the previously described steps will apply to you and you won’t have to undergo a medical test.

Looking for student visa consultants in Amritsar:

If you want a student visa consultant in Amritsar to assist you for step-by-step visa procedure. Contact Fly High Abroad in Amritsar, India.