Canada Student Visa

Why study in Canada?

Canada is one of the best places for higher education. The country attracts thousands of students from around the world every year. The education offered at Canadian universities is recognised worldwide. Research is considered one of the main components of every postgraduate programme. Universities support students who present the best research ideas, and scholarships are awarded based on research work. Here are other reasons to study in this country and obtain a Canada student visa:

• Affordable education.
• Innovative and abundant research opportunities.
• Immigration possibilities.
• Exciting campus lifestyle.
• Healthy and safe communities.
• Work and internship opportunities for international students while studying.
• Numerous research opportunities – Canadian universities provide research support to students who can present good research ideas.
• Possibility of immigration after completing the programme – if a candidate decides to study in Canada, they earn points in three areas: language, education and work. If they fall within a certain age group, there will be some additional points. Studying in Canada can bring valuable points for various immigration streams such as Express Entry or PNP streams.
• Vibrant campus atmosphere.
• International students can work while studying – Canada offers the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which helps foreign students gain Canadian work experience after completing their studies at a designated learning institution (DLI). Depending on the length of the study programme, the PGWP is valid for up to three years.
• Good internship opportunities.

Eligibility criteria for a Canada student visa

• Educational qualification
  • The minimum eligibility criterion for graduation is that you must have obtained at least 50 percent from UGC- or AICTE-accredited universities.
    • Gap years
      • The graduation degree must be completed within the specified time and without a gap.
      • Example: A B.Com is a 3-year degree. The client must have completed it within 3 years and no more.
      • Example: Engineering is a 4-year degree. The client must complete it within 4 years and no more.
    • Backlogs
      • The client must not have more than 10 backlogs during their graduation programme.

Length of stay in Canada and post-graduation work permit

• To be eligible to stay in Canada, a student must pursue a programme of at least 8 months.
• A programme of less than 8 months does not allow the student to stay on or to apply for a post-graduation work permit.
• To obtain a post-graduation work permit, the student must pursue the following programmes:
• A duration of less than 2 years, in which case they are eligible for a post-graduation work permit of a length equivalent to the programme. Example: an 8-month programme = an 8-month post-graduation work permit.
• If the student pursues a 2-year programme (master's or diploma), they are eligible for a post-graduation work permit for 3 years. Example: a 2-year master's/diploma programme is equivalent to a 3-year post-graduation work permit.

Cost of studying in Canada – Canada student visa

Tuition costs at Canadian universities vary depending on the institution and province, but overall they are more affordable compared with other countries in the world. Technical and medical programmes are more expensive than arts programmes.

On average, tuition and fees range from CAD 7,000 to CAD 35,000 for an international student.

Study programme, Average costs ​​(in CAD*)

Bachelor's programme, $12,000 to $25,000 per year

Master's programme, $24,000 to $35,000 per year

Doctoral degree, $7,000 to $10,000 per year

The cost of studying in this country will include other factors such as the cost of living and the application fees for the Canada student visa which you will have to bear.

Upcoming intakes in Canada

Canadian universities and colleges offer three intakes, which at some institutions are referred to as terms. The three intakes available in Canada are:

• Intake 1: Fall term – a popular study programme that starts in September.
• Intake 2: Winter term – which starts in January.
• Intake 3: Summer term – usually starting in April/May, this intake is available for a limited number of programmes and colleges.

We recommend that you submit your application early, as admission and scholarships become more difficult as the application deadline approaches. You can always apply 6 to 9 months before the start of the academic session.

Work permit for students

• Student applicant:
  • • Students must be over 18 years of age.
    • International students at Canadian universities can work up to 20 hours on or off campus during academic terms, and full-time during the winter or summer breaks, without the need for a work permit.
    • Foreign students studying in a field that requires work experience, such as a co-op programme or internship.
• Spouse: In general, spouses have rights similar to those of students already in Canada. So if a student holding a Canada student visa has the right to work, the spouse who comes to join them will also have this right.

Requirements for a Canada student visa:

In general, to apply for a Canada study visa you will need the following:

• A valid passport.
• Certified copies of the 10th and 12th grade certificates and degree.
• Academic references – 2.
• Employer references – 2.
• SOP (Statement of Purpose).
• Certificates of extracurricular achievements.
• Letter of acceptance from your educational institution.
• Proof of payment.
• Proof of funds.
• Passport-size photograph.
• Study permit and visa.
• English language proficiency.
• Your university will inform you of any additional requirements before you apply.

Steps to obtain a Canada student visa

Step 1:  Do your research

Before shortlisting universities, decide what you want to study, where you want to live, the overall cost, the various opportunities, and so on.

Step 2: Choosing a university

Choose a shortlist of universities (about 10) and study programmes that meet your requirements and to which you want to apply.

Step 3: Preparing for entrance exams

Prepare for standardised tests such as TOEFL/GRE/GMAT/IELTS, etc., based on the requirements of the universities and colleges. Register for these tests in advance. When applying for the tests, you should also plan for the time needed (if required) to retake a test. You must complete these tests before September of the year in which you want to apply.

Step 4: Funding your studies

Make sure you have the money ready for your entire period of study in Canada, along with accommodation, local travel, food and other miscellaneous expenses. Decide how you will finance your studies – personal savings, a student loan, a student scholarship or an assistantship.

Step 5: Applying to the university

Contact each university directly to apply for admission. Each university has its own admission requirements. Complete and submit the applications before the deadline.

Step 6: Confirming admission

After receiving your letters of acceptance from the universities you applied to, choose the university where you want to study. The next step is to pay a non-refundable amount to the university to confirm your admission to study in Canada.

Step 7: Obtaining a Canada student visa

After receiving confirmation of admission, you can apply for your Canada study visa.

Student visa and dependants

A foreign national who holds a Canada study visa can bring their spouse and dependent children to Canada. Their spouse can apply for an open work permit and even work for a Canadian employer for as long as their partner's study visa is valid. However, if the spouse wishes to study in Canada, they must apply for a study visa separately.

Holders of a Canada student visa can also bring their dependent children to the country. The children can stay for as long as the study visa is valid in Canada. Young children can pursue their school education in the country provided their parents are working or studying. The child must be under 22 years of age. Children over 22 who are not financially independent due to a physical or mental condition are also considered dependants.

After graduation

• Canada provides options to encourage international students and graduates of Canadian universities to stay, gain work experience and contribute to Canada's economy and culture.
• In an effort to retain international students, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues a post-graduation work permit. Under this permit, international graduates can receive an open work permit for up to three years.
• It allows them to work for any Canadian employer in any industry without needing a Canadian job offer at the time of application.

Top universities in Canada

The QS World University Rankings 2021 include 25 top Canadian universities. The 10 top-ranked universities in Canada are:

Note: For more information about universities and details related to fields of study, etc., refer to the educational centres directory of various countries on our website.

Extending a Canada student visa

It is possible to extend a Canada student visa, so the applicant can enrol in another programme of study after the end of their course. In addition, they can work in Canada in a field related to their degree and, after meeting the necessary requirements, obtain Canadian permanent residence.

In this article we became familiar in detail with the requirements for obtaining a Canada student visa, we also reviewed the benefits of studying and living in Canada, and we found that, owing to the high standing of education and university studies in Canada, the Canadian government offers applicants suitable immigration programmes. In addition, after you complete your studies, it provides you with the necessary support to enter the job market. However, given the varied laws and documents involved in immigration, the recommendation of Iranoca Immigration Marketing Company is that you consult our expert consultants and lawyers to make your immigration case easier and to secure your educational future.

If you need consultation, you can meet our consultants in person or online and learn about the process of obtaining your Canada student visa. You can also, right now and through our free assessment form, which is managed by expert consultants, check your eligibility for this type of visa.

Steps to obtain a Canada student visa

Dear applicant, if you wish to obtain a Canada student visa, please follow the steps below

Assessment form and consultation

First, by completing the free assessment form, you can submit your initial circumstances and details for review by the lawyers. If your general circumstances are suitable, a call time will be scheduled for your consultation. Please note that this entire process is free of charge and is reviewed and assessed by specialists

Receiving a confirmation letter

After the consultation and completion of the immigration case process, a letter of approval or non-approval will be sent to you by the licensed lawyers. This letter specifies whether or not you are eligible to immigrate, the type of immigration visa, and the route and conditions through which you can immigrate.

Registering for visa processing Frequently asked questions some users have had about the Canada student visa