Visa requirements

In Canada, a student visa is often referred to as a 'study permit'.

It is important that you make sure you have the correct study permit for your international studies before you leave for Canada.

The Canadian immigration authority is called the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

As study permit conditions can change quickly, you will need to make sure you follow up to date advice. The best place to find this advice is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Your World Wide College counsellor can direct you to the relevant IRCC information and can help you find authorised immigration representatives if need be.

Often you will need to have documents translated and couriered. Our team can step you through this so you have less paperwork to keep track of!

Arranging study permits or visa can feel daunting, but when you have the right support and direction, it can be achieved.

The student permit (student visa) allows an individual to enter Canada as a full time student at an accredited community college, university or any other institution. In order to be eligible to apply for a student permit, a student must be enrolled in a program of study that culminates in a degree, diploma or certificate and the institution should be listed under Designated Learning institutions (DLI) list authorized by IRCC.

There are three categories where students can file their visa applications which are S.P.P., General and University. Visa applications may be submitted at any of the ten application centers across India. VFS Office provides information on procedures applicable to applicants who wish to apply for a visa to travel to Canada. Students have an option to lodge their Canada visa application through the online link available at  IRCC website.

The following steps outline the process of applying for a study permit in Canada.

Step 1: Understand the Visa process

Step 2: Collate visa documents

Your IDP Education counsellor will support you to collate documents in support of your application for a study permit to Canada. The general sets of documents you will require for your study permit application comprises:

• Passport 
• Passport-size photographs 
• Unconditional letter of acceptance 
• Fees receipt (recommended) 
• Scholarship letter (if applicable) 
• Any relevant correspondence with the institution 
• Financial documents 
• Academic documents 
• Test scores 
• Work experience certificates (if applicable) 
• Medical report (if already undertaken). 

Step 3: Check provincial guidelines

Step 4: Submit application (online through IRCC website or paper submission at VFS offices for Canada)

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