Canadian Study Permit / Student Visa
Canadian Study Permit allows international students to study in Canada.
Study Permit vs. Visitor Visa
In some cases a prospective international student coming to Canada to study may not need to apply for a study permit. For example, if an international student intends to study a language (e.g. English or French) in Canada for up to six months, such student may not need to apply for a study permit and it may be sufficient for such student to apply for a visitor visa (if the student requires a visa to enter Canada). To determine if an international students need a study permit, international students may have legal advice from a Canadian immigration lawyer.
If it is determined that a prospective international student will need a study permit to study in Canada, a student should apply for a study permit to the Canadian Embassy or Canadian High Commission or Canadian Consulate responsible for processing study permits from the student’s country of citizenship or residence.
Admission Process and Acceptance Letter
Before applying for study permit, a prospective international student may have to be admitted into a course of studies in Canada and obtain a letter of acceptance from a recognized educational institution in Canada, unless such student is a depend child of a foreign worker, for example. Admission process may take a few weeks for admission into an academic program, while admission into a language program may not take as much time, depending on the educational institution. After obtaining a letter of acceptance from a recognized educational institution in Canada, a foreign student may need to apply for a study permit.
Study Permit Requirements
Requirements for obtaining a Canadian study permit depend on:
- the requirements at a specific Canadian visa office
- foreign student’s circumstances
A Canadian study permit application package would normally include, but is not limited to, the following :
- Application Forms
- Application fee
- Passport
- Photos
- Supporting documentation (such as Letter of Acceptance, Proof of Financial Support / Proof of Funds
Maintaining Temporary Resident Status in Canada as a Foreign Student
Foreign students have to ensure that they maintain their legal status in Canada at all times. Foreign students may have to extend their study permits. If study permit extension is required, a foreign student should apply for such extension well ahead of expiration date of current study permit. But if a student does not apply for a study permit on time, it may be be possible for such student to apply for restoration of status, provided that a student submits an application for restoration of status within a prescribed period.
To determine if foreign student may qualify for extension of study permit or restoration of status such student may want to seek professional advice from a Canadian migration adviser.
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