Student Visa Canada
Canada is an increasingly popular option for overseas students with more than 130,000 non-Canadian nationals choosing to further their education there. Canada has a forward thinking educational policy and values its multicultural society. Canada offer thousands of educational institutions offering courses taught in English and French. Canada visa holders may engage in limited employment during their time in Canada.
Start Your Free Visa Assessment
Global Visas employs specialists in Canada immigration and visa services obtaining everything from short term tourist visas through to longer term work visas, study visas and permanent residency applications. To find out whether you qualify for a Canada visa, visit the online assessment area today.
Understanding Canadian Study Visas
In Canada visas for students are generally issued for the duration of the course and may be renewed from within Canada. The exception to this is for students who are relocating to Canada to study in Quebec, who will need to renew their study visa each year. It is important to recognise that Canadian study visas are issued as a temporary immigration service and that applying for a Canadian study visa will not lead to the opportunity to apply for permanent residency. Limited study is permitted for holders of a short stay Canadian visit visa, however this is limited by the short duration of the visa and applicants who wish to study for more than 6 months will require a study visa.
Although study visas do not offer a route to living and working in Canada on a permanent basis, study visa applicants may engage in limited employment during their time studying in Canada in order to supplement their income. In most cases, students may only conduct part time work in Canada and this must be carried out on campus. However, in the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick and Manitoba it may be possible for those wishing to study in Canada to work off campus although candidates must apply for a Canadian work permit to do so.
Canadian Study Visa – Eligibility Criteria
The Canadian study visa functions in a similar manner to US study visas and to Canadian work permits in that the key requirement is that a sponsoring body is in place. In the same way that Canadian work permit applications require an offer of employment from a Canadian company, study visa applicants require a confirmed place on a course of study. The offer must come from a recognised Canadian educational institution and a letter of acceptance will need to be submitted as part of the application.
In addition to the letter of acceptance which details the applicant’s confirmed place on a course of study, candidates must also be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient funding to support themselves during their time in Canada and to reside in close proximity to the educational institution acting as their sponsor. Candidates must also be able to demonstrate that it is their intention to leave Canada and return to their country of residence once their studies have been completed. In some case, it may be necessary for candidates to undergo a medical examination; your Global Visas immigration consultant will be able to advise you of the exact requirements of your Canadian visa application in your initial consultation.
Temporary Resident Visas – TRVs
In some circumstances it may be necessary for a Canadian student visa applicant to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit or TRV. If applicants from your country of residence require a TRV an application must be submitted at the same time as the study visa application.
Canadian Study Visas – Exemptions
In most cases, studying in Canada will require a study visa application to be submitted. However, study visas for Canada are not required in the following circumstances.
- Where a course has a duration of less than six months, studying in Canada may be permitted on a short stay Canadian visit visa.
- Candidates who are related to, or are employees of a foreign representative to Canada do not need to apply for a Canadian study visa.
You can take the first step in your Canadian study visa application today by visiting the online assessment area. Our assessment forms are quick and easy to complete; just answer a few simple questions and a specialist Canadian immigration consultant will contact you directly to discuss your visa application further. Find out further information on our Family Immigration Canada page.
