Studying a language or higher education program abroad is one of the most enriching and fruitful experiences a person can experience.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, this adventure has been compromised due to the numerous regulations and travel bans established by different countries.
In the case of Canada, arriving in the country as an international student and studying an English or French course, or taking a higher education program was no longer a viable option for a long time.
Due to the high level of spread of the virus, the government decided to close the country’s borders in March 2020, for which the educational system was forced to reinvent itself and offer online preparatory courses for international students carried out from the country of origin to a new remote modality for those students who were already within Canada and had to continue their educational process.
Currently, and thanks to the fact that Canada has a considerably advanced vaccination process. The government decided to reopen its borders and welcome international students again.
What is a Canadian Study Permit?
The Canadian study permit is a document issued by the IRCC that permits foreign students to study at a designated learning institution (DLI) within Canada.
Most foreign students would require a study permit to study in Canada. Kindly ensure you have all the required documentation prior to you applying for the permit.
Note: A study permit isn’t a visa, as it doesn’t grant you access to Canada. You may also require an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor’s visa. If your study permit is approved, you would be issued one in addition to your study permit.
Who Can Apply for a Study Permit
You can apply for a study permit in Canada if you:
- are enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) with an approved COVID-19 readiness plan,
- prove you have enough funds to finance for your:
- tuition fees
- living expenses for you and any family members who came to Canada with you (If applicable), and
- return tickets for you and any of your family members who came to Canada with you (If applicable)
- Be a law abiding citizen of your country, have no criminal record and also get a police clearance certificate (if required)
- Be in good health condition and get a medical examination from an accredited medical institution (if required), and
- prove to the immigration officer handling your case that you would leave Canada back to your home country when your study permit expires.
List of required documents for a Canadian student permit application
When you apply, you ought to submit:
- An acceptance letter from the DLI you’ll be attending which must be on the list of DLI’s with an approved COVID-19 readiness plan,
- proof of identity, and
- proof of financial support.
You may also need to submit.
- a letter of explanation
- a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ)
- a custodian declaration (minors only), or
- as many of the documents needed for a complete application as possible
Apply online
As an international student wanting to study in Canada that is applying for a study permit, you ought to apply online, irrespective of if you’re outside of Canada or already in Canada.
If you would not be able to apply online because of a disability or because there’s a problem with the online application, you could apply on paper.
