The search for quality education has brought an increase to which International students migrate to Canada. According to the government of Canada, international students contribute about $22.3B per year to the Canadian economy with over 130,000 international students who choose to study at Canadian universities.
But seriously let’s face this, the high standards of institutions in Canada and the blissfully energetic and refined cities, breathtaking glamour, and the opportunities it has to offer for International Students will definitely make anyone want to study in Canada once you have all the requirements to study in Canada for international students.
The Canadian institute focuses more on research, scientific publications, and international collaborations. The fact that there is an availability of varieties of subjects you can enrol for and the opportunity to live a better life and have access to bigger opportunities is exactly what most international students are looking for.
However, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus and other latest developments, the Canadian government have imposed new rules for international students coming in to study which are going to talk more deeply about in this article.
We are also going to answer questions like what are the requirements to study in Canada for international students? When will Canada reopen its borders for international students? Minimum bank balance for Canada student visa and Can international students travel to Canada now?
Figuring out all these will help you make better and more informed decisions. So let’s get straight right into it.
What is a Canadian Study Permit?
Before you can be able to study in Canada as an international student, you will need to obtain a study permit issued by the Canadian government.
This permit, which is a kind of Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), usually includes information about the school and program of study the student is enrolled in. It allows them to study temporarily in Canada. An applicant must meet a specific set of conditions in order to be eligible.
We however recommend that you have all the documents you need before you apply. You should also keep up with the latest news for international students in Canada. You should make sure you apply before you travel to Canada. You might be able to obtain your study permit more quickly if you apply online via the Student Direct Stream if you are a legal resident of certain countries.
Things You Need To Do To Get Your Student Permit
- Apply at a Canadian university and get your acceptance letter
Before you can begin the application process for a student visa to Canada, you must make up your mind as to where you want to study there. You’ll receive an acceptance letter after being admitted to a Canadian university, which you’ll need for the visa application. Also check out the application fee for colleges in Canada here.
- Check if you need to apply for a student visa in Canada
Check if you need a study visa or permit with the official Canadian study permit tool. You don’t need a study visa if one of the following situations applies to you:
- You are a member of the family or staff of a foreign official recognized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada to represent that country in Canada.
- You enrol in a course of study with a duration of fewer than six months.
- You are a member of foreign armed forces from the Visiting Forces Act.
- Even though you’re a citizen of another country, you have an Indian status registered in Canada.
Keep in mind that the study permit/visa is not a standard visa that entitles you to travel to or enter Canada. You’ll need an electronic travel authorization or a travel visa for that (eTA).
- Start your application for the Canadian student visa
As soon as you got the acceptance letter from the university, it is time to proceed to the next step: applying for a student visa, which is locally known as a study permit.
The following are the steps to follow to get your student permit:
- Before travelling to Canada, fill out an online application for a student visa at Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
- If you have a slow internet connection or are unable to submit the documents online, send the visa application materials by mail.
- A letter of acceptance from the specified educational institution (a university recognized by the Canadian government).
- Provide evidence that you have the financial means to support your studies in Canada (tuition fees and living expenses).
- Show documentation proving your lack of criminal history.
- Provide clinical documentation demonstrating your overall health, as well as any necessary comprehensive medical exams.
Recent visa laws state that your study permit application will be handled in two weeks if you have a family member who is employed or seeking a work permit in Canada.
- Prepare all the required documents for the student visa in Canada
🔸️Completed application for a student visa
🔸️The original university letter of admission
🔸️A valid passport or other travel documents that enables you to travel abroad and return home. This is not necessary if you reside in the United States.
🔸️Two recent passport-sized photos with the backs containing your name and birthdate
🔸️Evidence of your ability to pay for your studies. This entails demonstrating that you earn between 10,000 and 11,000 CAD annually to support yourself in the nation.
🔸️You will also need a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec, English and French translations of your documents, a translator’s certification, and a certified copy of the original documents if you intend to study in Quebec.
🔸️Proof that you paid the study permit fee (150 CAD)
- Language requirements for studying in Canada
The list of prerequisites for a Canadian student visa does not contain proof of English language proficiency. However, Canadian institutions will ask you to present documentation of your English language competency unless you are from a nation that speaks the language.
- Biometrics appointment and interview
You might need to visit a visa application centre in your country to get your biometrics taken, depending on your nationality. The cost for biometrics is 85 CAD. In addition to the standard visa application fee, there is also this cost (150 CAD). Some nations are excluded from this biometrics requirement, thus the residents of those nations won’t even have to go to an application centre.
You might also get a call for an interview, depending on your particular circumstances. For employing their services, local visa application centres will charge a nominal cost.
How To Apply For A Study Permit
Typically, a study permit must be requested before travelling to Canada. A study permit application can sometimes be made from within Canada.
You may be able to apply in some circumstances at the port of entry when you enter Canada. Make sure you are aware of the options you have.
Apply online
Whether you are outside of Canada or are already in Canada, you must apply for a study permit online.
You’re only eligible to apply on paper if you
- possess an identity or travel document for refugees, stateless people, or non-citizens,
- have a handicap that prevents you from applying online
Applying at the port of entry
Generally speaking, you shouldn’t submit a study permit application at a Canadian port of entry. Before departing for Canada, you need to submit an online application for a study permit.
At this time, only a select group of persons may apply at the port of entry. You may be able to apply at the port of entry if you’re a
- U.S. citizen
- lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
- Resident of Greenland
- A resident of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
If you satisfy one of these conditions, you must have all the paperwork necessary to submit an application for a study permit with you when you cross the border. If you are qualified to enter Canada as a student, the border services agent who welcomes you will decide.
How long does it take to receive the Canadian study permit?
The processing period after submitting your application for a study visa in Canada may be up to 90 days, however, it normally goes more quickly. This is also based on the circumstances in your country of origin.
To obtain the study permit more quickly, use the Student Direct Stream. The processing time is typically 20 calendar days, and fees begin at 150 CAD. The Student Direct Stream is only available for students from the following countries:
🔸️China
🔸️India
🔸️Morocco
🔸️Pakistan
🔸️The Philippines
🔸️Senegal
🔸️Vietnam
If your study permit is going to expire soon
You have 3 options as a student:
- If you want to keep on studying, you might be eligible to extend your study permit.
- If your studies program was successfully finished, you might be qualified to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) or a work permit.
- You can apply to change your status to a visitor.
Before your study visa expires, you must apply for one of these choices; else, you might have to leave Canada.
If your study permit has expired
You lose your status as a student in Canada if your study permit expires before you apply to extend it. It’s possible that you can get your status back.
90 days after you finish your studies, the study permit expires (after you receive a notification of the programme completion). You have the option of applying for a work permit, which will allow you to work full- or part-time jobs or even operate your own business, or continuing to stay in Canada to travel and explore.
If you’re a visitor who needs a study permit
If you are already a visitor in Canada, you can apply for a study permit online.
You must adhere to the requirements for applying from outside of Canada while making your submission. Your application will be processed in the same time frame as if it were submitted from outside of Canada, in your native country.
Prior to receiving your study permit, you cannot begin your studies.
Travel exemptions and restrictions for international students
You must be qualified to enter Canada at this time if:
You wish to study here in Canada.
You’re an international student returning to Canada.
You are travelling to Canada to be a supporter or family member of an international student.
When will Canada reopen its borders for international students
One of the most frequently asked questions from most international students is when will Canada reopen its borders for international students? Or can international students travel to Canada now?
The Canadian government already agreed on allowing international students to start coming into the country. It was announced that starting from January 15th, 2022, international students must be fully vaccinated to travel to Canada. As of April 25th, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers are not required to provide a quarantine plan.
Please be aware that IRCC international students have stated on their Proof of Acceptance Letter that students should not travel earlier than four weeks (28 days) prior to the program start date. This information is for students who have been issued a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and are planning to depart as soon as possible (POA).
Minimum bank balance for Canada student visa
International students who are seeking high-quality education often travel to Canada. Along with offering high-quality education, Canada also has several policies in place for students who want to stay in the nation after graduation.
Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses is necessary in order to pursue education in Canada. So what is the minimum bank balance for Canada student visa?
According to the latest news for international students in Canada, to support their application for a study permit in Canada, an international student may need to present a total of $25,000 at a minimum.
International students must show proof of at least $25,000 in their bank accounts or on the sponsor’s account statement in order to enrol in a Canadian high institution in 2022–2023. For the accompanying spouse and each dependent kid, an additional sum of money is required.
You can prove your funds with:
- proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you have transferred money to Canada
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) issued by a Canadian financial institution that is participating.
- Evidence of a bank loan for a student or education
- Your bank statements for the past four months
- A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
- proof you paid tuition and housing fees
- You must provide a letter from the donor or the institution providing the funds, as well as documentation of Canadian support.
According to Statistics Canada, the average international student pays $40,000 in living expenses and tuition each year.
Individual sums will undoubtedly differ based on the school attended and the local cost of living, but this appears to be within the ballpark of other estimates.
Generally speaking, the first year’s tuition at a Canadian post-secondary institution can reach $15,000 per student. A living expenditure fund of around $10000 is also required by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As a result, you will have to provide proof of a total of $25,000 to support your application for a study permit in Canada.
Your ability to sustain yourself financially once you arrive in Canada is crucial to your prospects of being granted a student visa or study permit. It is crucial and very necessary to be able to provide evidence of unencumbered funds when you are visiting Canada.
What is the latest news for international students in Canada?
As an international student who’s pursuing study in Canada, it is always important to keep up with the latest news for international students in Canada. Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the Canadian government made some changes in the way international students come into the country. They also announced changes that would benefit international students, some of which include:
- Canada has unveiled a new method that would allow foreign students to become permanent residents.
- Applications for study permits are still being accepted in Canada, although delays should be anticipated.
- You are not subject to the travel limitations if you are an international student with a current study permit or if your application for a study permit was accepted on or before March 18, 2020.
- While their application is being processed, international students who are still in Canada can apply to renew their study permit and continue their studies and employment.
- International students are presently not permitted to enter Canada if their study permit was issued after March 18, 2020.
- Before you may board your aircraft if you’re travelling by air, you must adhere to all airline regulations and pass a health inspection. COVID-19 symptoms will prevent a person from travelling by plane to Canada.
- Before you leave the port of entry when you arrive in Canada, they will evaluate your health. When you arrive in Canada, you must have a plan in place for a 14-day quarantine. Even if you are symptom-free, you must do this. You shouldn’t visit Canada if you don’t have a plan.
- Only those who perform necessary services are excluded from the quarantine regulations, such as truck drivers who frequently cross the border to ensure the flow of products.
What Are The New Rules And Requirements to study in Canada for international students?
International students who wish to settle down permanently now frequently choose Canada as their destination. It has some of the top academic institutions and research facilities around the globe, as well as some of the greatest study programs.
Students from all over the world come to Canada to study, but they also have a clear route to their new permanent residence! Considering that many students travel hundreds of miles to attend class, it is impossible to forget anything.
We chose to break down the necessities and what you need to prepare before studying in Canada because this is a major step for many young adults and might be intimidating to some. So what are the new rules and requirements to study in Canada for international students?
- Get Your Passport, Plan Finances
It’s crucial to cross this task off your list because possessing a passport is the most critical thing you need while travelling abroad and can occasionally take some time to process. If you already have one, double-check to be sure it won’t expire in the next six months, as several counties won’t let you in.
If you have any other forms of government identification, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate, bring photocopies of them. You will need to provide evidence that you have the funds necessary to cover your tuition and daily expenses when you apply for your study visa.
All overseas students must demonstrate that they have at least CAD 10,000 ($833) in funds every month, or more if they are bringing family members with them. You need to earn $11,000 annually to live in the province of Quebec. If you are concerned about paying for these costs, you might think about the following career choices while you study:
- On-Campus Employment
- Off-Campus Employment
- Co-op Student or Intern
- Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
Some students make the decision to look for employment when they realize they will need additional revenue to support living expenses while studying in Canada. Fortunately, there are many chances for students to find employment in Canada both during and after their education. You can also check out our list of remote work in Canada for international students here.
- Acceptance Letter, Apply for Study Permit
You will receive a letter of acceptance after applying to and being accepted by the school you wish to attend, and you must submit this letter along with your study permit application.
Some acceptance letters are conditional, which means that the applicant must fulfil particular guidelines before they can start taking classes. Completing instruction in either French or English as a Second Language (ESL) is a typical prerequisite.
It’s time to submit your study permit application. Your official Canadian study permit will be issued to you once the application procedure is over, and it is crucial to keep it safe. The official paperwork allowing you to remain in Canada and pursue your education is your study permit.
- Get Health Insurance Coverage
In Canada, students are required to have both basic and comprehensive health insurance coverage. Depending on where you live, you can have the choice of receiving private or public health care.
Provincial health insurance covers the essentials of healthcare, but some plans exclude coverage for things like dentistry, eye, and other more specialized issues.
More individualized insurance solutions are available through private health insurance to meet your unique long-term needs. To cover additional medical expenses, some colleges provide student health insurance plans.
- Plan Living Accommodations
If you’ve never gone to Canada, it might occasionally be difficult to find reasonable living arrangements there. As soon as you have been accepted to your institution or college, you should begin making arrangements.
While studying in Canada, you have a variety of housing options to choose from, including on-campus housing, off-campus housing, homestays, where you live with a host family, and more.
Some of the available housing options in Canada for International students include:
- Renting: is a common choice for overseas students, albeit it can occasionally be expensive. Some students choose to live with other students to keep costs down; a suite typically costs $400 to $1500 per month. Monthly costs for shared housing in Canada range from $250 to $700.
- Dormitory: The majority of Canadian universities and colleges allow students to live on or close to their campuses. The communal toilets and kitchens are usually minimally furnished in dorm units. Although they will be divided by gender, the rooms could also be shared. A dorm room typically costs between $3,000 and $7,500 each academic year.
- Homestays: continue to be a popular option for international students coming to Canada to study.
A homestay is when an international student stays in a family home that welcomes the student to stay for the school year.
In order to host and welcome overseas students, this process starts by contacting trustworthy Canadian families. Prices can vary widely depending on location, but the average cost of homestay accommodation is between $400 – $800 per month.
- Gather Documents, Bring Essentials, Bank Account
Try to get any medical data your doctor can provide you, including prescriptions in case of an emergency, before you leave for Canada. Winter clothing, a list of emergency contacts, and other necessary school materials should also be packed in your luggage.
It’s time to open a bank account once you’ve landed in Canada! Finding a bank that can accommodate your requirements as a newcomer and student is crucial. There might even be a branch of your university on or near campus.
- Satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies
- Be law-abiding and have no prior convictions
- not pose a threat to Canada’s security
- International students who are 18 years of age or older must be completely immunized in order to enter Canada.
International students under the age of 18 are exempt from this restriction and may be admitted even if they are partially or completely unvaccinated provided they are headed to a certified educational institution with a COVID-19 preparedness plan that has been approved.
- A proof that you know how to speak English fluently for those not living in an English-speaking country.
- Provide proof that you pay for the student permit fee.
- Unless you are a minor student, you must be a qualified fully immunized traveller (under the age of 18 years).
- While they are in Canada, minor children must maintain valid status. Typically, this entails possessing current study permission. A valid tourist visa or Electronic Travel Authorization is required if your minor child is permitted to study in Canada without a study permit.
- Must meet all other travel restrictions and exemptions for international students.
- To prove your eligibility, you might have to provide the officer with any extra paperwork they ask for. When you arrive, the border services officer will make a final determination regarding your eligibility to enter Canada.
Conclusion
Canada is the dream destination for many international students. Canada does not only offer a good education system but also has a well-laid-out plan for postgraduates. Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the Canadian government made some changes to its requirements to study in Canada for international students, which we have listed above. We also gave a detailed explanation of what a student permit is, how to apply and many other things you need to know.
What about the latest news for international students in Canada? Yes, we talked about that also. We also answered questions concerning the minimum bank balance for Canada student visa, when will Canada reopen its borders for international students, and also can international students travel to Canada now?
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