Student Visa for Canada

Thinking about relocating to Canada to study? Searching for colleges or universities in Canada?

Before you start packing, you must first be accepted to one of the recognized universities/schools in Canada, and only then you can apply for a Canadian student visa.

Student Visa for Canada – Do you need one?

• You study in a short-term course or program that lasts six months or less. You must complete the course or program within that period.
• Foreign representatives to Canada and their staff and family members may not need a permit to study in Canada. But in any case it is recommended that you contact your embassy in Canada to check weather you need a Canadian student visa or not.
• Members of foreign armed forces and their family members do not need a permit to study in Canada.

Student Visa for Canada - Requirements

• You must have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada.
• You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses and return transportation.
• You must have a no criminal record. You may have to provide a police certificate.
• You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
• You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada when you have completed your studies.
• If been accepted to study in Quebec, you will need to apply for a certificate of acceptance. You receive the certificate of acceptance before you apply for a Canadian student visa.
• You must submit your Canadian visa application to the Canada visa office responsible for the country where you live, and pay the processing fee. Note: You may need a temporary resident visa as well as a study permit.
• If your application is approved you will receive a letter confirming the approval, and a temporary resident visa if you are from a country for which Canada requires a visa.
• If your application is not approved you will receive a letter explaining why your application has been refused. If you have questions about your refusal, contact the visa office that issued the refusal letter.

Student Visa for Canada – Entering Canada

• When you arrive in Canada, You should present to an officer from the Canada Border the following documents:

1. A valid passport or travel document.
2. The letter of introduction from the visa office that you received when your study permit was approved.
3. A valid temporary resident visa (if required).
4. A copy of the letter of acceptance from the school at which you are permitted to study.
5. Proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.
6. Letters of reference or any other documents recommended by the visa office where you applied.

• If you arrive in Canada with more than C$10,000, you must inform this to the officer at the border. Failing to do this may cause you a fine, or you can even end up in prison.
• Health insurance - The Government of Canada does not pay for the medical costs of foreign students. You should contact the school to which you are applying to receive more information about medical coverage and student health insurance, or check for international student health insurance options.
• If you wish to change terms and conditions on the Canadian student visa, you must submit a completed visa application to change conditions or extend your stay in Canada.
• Leaving and coming back to Canada - If you leave Canada and want to return, you must have: a valid passport or travel document, a valid study permit if you are returning to study in Canada and, a valid temporary resident visa (if required).

Student Visa for Canada – Are you allowed to work in Canada?

Work on campus – You can work where you study without a student work permit if you are a full-time student at: a public institution, such as a college or university, or at a private institution that receives at least 50 percent of its financing from government grants, or at a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees. You must also have a valid student visa.

Work off Campus – There is an off-campus work permit program that allows foreign students to work off campus while completing their study in Canada. According to the program regulations you can work off campus if you are a full-time student, and you must apply for a student work visa. Do not begin to work off campus until you have received your work permit. To keep your student work permit, you must remain a full-time student and continue to obtain satisfactory academic results.

Co-op and internship programs - For some academic programs, work experience is part of the curriculum. Foreign students who wish to participate in a co-op or internship program must apply for a student work permit as well as a study permit.

Working after graduation - If you want to work in Canada after you graduate from your studies, you must apply for a work permit. The post-graduation work permit program allows students who have graduated their study in Canada to gain Canadian work experience. A work permit cannot be valid for a longer period than the length of your studies.

Work available to your spouse - Your spouse may apply for a work permit if: you are a full-time student, you have a valid study permit or you have a valid work permit. Work permit for your spouse is valid for the same period of time as your study or work permit.

Listing of Canada's universities, colleges, and other recognized postsecondary institutions you can find at Canadian information center for international credentials.

Disclaimer: The contents of student visa for Canada page are provided as an information guide only. The use of this website is at the viewer/user's sole risk. While every effort is made in presenting up-to-date and accurate information, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the owner of this website for any errors, omissions, outdated or misleading information on these pages or any site to which these pages connect or are linked.

Source & Copyright: The source of the above student visa for Canada information and copyright owner/s is the: - Citizenship and Immigration Canada - URL: www.cic.gc.ca

The viewer/user of this student visa for Canada web page should use the above information as a guideline only, and should always contact the above sources or the user's own government representatives for the most up-to-date information at that moment in time, before making a final decision to travel to that country or destination

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