Disclaimer:
The following guide is for information purposes only, please only refer and rely on official government sources when applying for a student visa. Note that there are many third-party online resources available which provide practical examples of students applying for their student visa, however, may not be the most authentic source of information.
Please note that Holmes Institute Canada does not warrant that these third-party resources (including articles & videos) are accurate in any way. For accurate advice, we refer you to official sources (Study permit: How to apply - Canada.ca)and only these official resources should be relied upon for the purposes of a student visa application. Holmes Institute Canada bears no responsibility or any liability for any loss sustained for following non-official resources, and stresses that third party information should be used as a practical guide only. In case you find the visa process too complicated, then please get in touch with an authorised immigration consultant.
How to succeed in the visa application?
The most important thing is to be thorough with the documentation. Below is a checklist of all documents that are usually required to be submitted with the visa process. It’s important that all documents are submitted and that they are checked before submission to ensure accuracy and completeness. Extreme care should be given to the financial documents to ensure they comply with the published advice about what needs to be submitted.
Student Direct Stream (Fast track visa process)
Which countries are eligible for this and how to go about applying for it?
The following countries are eligible for a fast-track visa:
● Antigua and Barbuda
● Brazil
● China
● Colombia
● Costa Rica
● India
● Morocco
● Pakistan
● Peru
● Philippines
● Senegal
● Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
● Trinidad and Tobago
● Vietnam
More information about the documentation required for these countries can be found here.
The key requirements for fast-track visa eligibility are the following:
● The student is from one of the above countries
● The student pays $10,000 CAD for a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
● The student does a medical test
● The student gets a police check
● The student obtains 6.0 or more in IELTS (which is higher than our IELTS requirement)
Where and how can they apply for a visa?
Students can apply for their study permit online here.
They will need to make an account and submit all their documents. After making an application, students will have 60 days to complete that application, or it will be deleted. After completing the online application, students will then have to attend a biometric appointment at their local Canadian Embassy or visa processing center. Where students go for this is country specific, so please contact our Regional Managers for this information.
Can students apply for a visa outside their home country?
For example, Latin American students currently living in Ireland – can they apply from Ireland?
Yes, they just need to declare where they are presently living when they do the online application.
Visa success rate
As of October 2022, Canada has an 60% visa success rate. Whilst this may seem low, it has been improving recently and is set to continue to improve as seen in the link above.
What is the visa process?
To apply for a study permit, students need to show the documents listed here.
Students can apply for a study permit here.
After creating an account and answering several questions, students will need to provide the following documents:
Necessary Documents Checklist
1. Original passport valid throughout the duration of study
2. Evidence of work requirement for study (curriculum from your educational institution stating that work is a necessary requirement for the completion of your studies)
3. Letter of acceptance
4. 2 Photographs (for visa) - 35mm x 45mm, white background, matte finish
5. Use of Representative (agent) Form (IMM5476)
6. Family Information Form (IMM5707)
7. Finance (tuition fees paid): Receipt of all tuition fees and other ancillary fees being paid in full
8. Finance (maintenance) – at least access to CAD $10,000 of funds. If you are visiting Canada, you must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who will be with you while you are in Canada. Generally you need ready access to at least CAD $10,000 of funds.
Provide as many of these documents as you can to demonstrate your financial maintenance. These can include:
●Your bank statements for the past four months
●A bank draft in convertible currency
● Pay stubs
● An employment letter
●Proof of assets or business
● Proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees
● Tax reports, declarations or statements
● Proof of a student/education loan from a financial institution
● A letter from the person or institution providing you with money
● Proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational programme
● Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if money has been transferred to Canada
9. Requesting a medical exam
Note: the student will not be able to progress to the next stage of the application if they have not submitted these documents.
Optional but highly recommended documents
1. Schedule 1 - Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada (IMM 5257). This is a disclosure about your personal history
2. Client Information (SOP). This should include information on the following:
● Introduction, personal information, and background
● Academic qualifications already obtained/background
● Financial background
● Professional experience
● Why Canada?
● Why this specific course?
● Why this specific institution?
● Short and/or long-term career goals
● Any other further information that may assist your visa application
Note: Both documents are critical for visa success; they are highly recommended.
What interviews are required?
Interview information can be found here.
Visa processing time (Maximum 6 months)
It is recommended that the visa application is submitted at least 3 months before the proposed course start date to avoid deferring commencement.
Generally, visa decisions take between 3 - 6 months.
How much is the visa fee?
$150 CAD visa application fee + $85 CAD biometric fee ($235 CAD in total.
This is subject to change please check here.
Is it possible for students to travel with their partner if they are legally married?
Study permit holders can come with their spouse or common-law partner; however, they will not be able to apply for an open Work Permit. As stated here.
Other Links:
Study Permit: How to apply - Canada.ca - Official source
Study Permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca - Offical source
How to write effective SOP for Canada - Upgradeabroad.com - Unofficial source
Canada Student Visa - Visaguide.world - Unofficial source
Study Permits & Visas - Educanada.ca - Unofficial source
