Canada has become a booming hub for international students whose dreams include remaining in the country in which they complete their studies. No longer has an overlooked global destination to earn a degree, Canada also offered a direct path to permanent citizenship – an option many international students seek.
Study in Canada
Canada has ranked as one of the top ten places to live in the world for over twenty years, and boasts an education system ranked among the best. The number of international students in Canada continues to grow every year. Many of them are able to stay in Canada after finishing their studies.
Approval of a Canadian study permit is always at the discretion of the visa officer.
Last year, Canada admitted more than 400,000 international students. The majority of those students came from France, Nigeria, China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Iran, India, and Vietnam.
Application Process
- Check your eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian study permit. You will need:
- an acceptance letter from a DLI,
- proof of financial support,
- supporting documents (varies depending on your countries of citizenship and residence)
- Prepare your application:
If you meet all eligibility requirements then you can start to prepare your study permit application. Make sure that you have gathered all documents required for your country. If you don’t show that you meet the requirements, an immigration officer may reject your application. It is a good idea to have a qualified immigration representative review your application before you submit it.
- Submit your study permit application:
You have two options when submitting your application:
Submit an electronic application: Create an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. You can submit an application electronically using scanned or electronic copies of documents.
Submit a paper-based application: Gather hard copies of your documents and mail them to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) assigned to your country.
- If your study permit is approved, come to Canada!
You do not receive your Canadian study permit until you arrive at a Canadian Port of Entry (POE). If your permit is approved, the Canadian government will issue you a Port of Entry Introduction Letter. You must show this letter to the immigration official when you arrive in Canada to get your study permit.