Canada welcomes thousands of International students each year who decided to pursue their education in Canada, whether it is undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. Canada is now one of the most desired destinations to study abroad.
Canada is full of opportunities to not only get quality education but to work during and after studies, and this is just the beginning. Students also have immigration options that are open to getting permanent residency for all students who obtain a graduate degree in this country.
The Student Visa to Canada allows international students to study at many of its world-class Universities and Colleges. Canada generally welcomes close to 600,000 foreign students every year.
Canada is gaining further recognition and praise and has an excellent reputation for providing a high standard of education to newcomers who come to study either in English or French, as a bilingual entity. The Student visa allows foreigner students to engage in further studies in Canada either in an academic or vocational sector and to benefit from, expansive knowledge and varied skills in a Canadian multicultural society and multi-faced classrooms and schools.
The Student Visa is granted to students that can demonstrate that they are really coming here to study, have the financial ability to support themselves and there is something waiting for them you in their home country after they have graduated.
Upon completion of their studies, Students will get a quality degree in Canada, and the opportunity to work full time between one to three years in order to gain Canadian work experience for the chance to later apply for Permanent Residence. This is an excellent package that is offered which is one of the main reasons that Canada has prevailed in becoming the top destination for Education.
Student Visa requirements
The specific requirements for the Student visa will depend on the selected level of study, the applicant’s educational background, and their country of citizenship.
Applicants are generally required to provide the following:
- Proof of acceptance and enrolment to an accredited academic institution in Canada;
- Possess a valid passport/travel document, and provide proof of financial support;
- Ties to their home country and evidence of their intention to leave Canada at the end of their studies.
Additionally, students have to have proof of no criminal history or endangering medical conditions of any sort and willingly undergo medical testing as required.
Study Permit
A study Permit is the official document that is issued to International Students that allows them to study , live and work in Canada on a temporary basis. Upon entry into Canada, students will be issued a Study Permit if they have an Approval letter from the Canadian Embassy. This Permit will be valid for the duration of the program of Study in Canada.
Students that are enrolled in a program that is less than six months in duration are exempt from the Study Permit requirement.
Study Permits for Canada are processed in an Embassy outside of Canada, therefore international students must submit their Study Permit applications to a Canadian Embassy that is responsible for their country of citizenship or their country of residence.
Along with the application form which you will download online, you have to attach the following document in order to apply for a study permit.
- Your letter of acceptance;
- Proof of your identity;
- Proof that you have sufficient funds for your stay in Canada.
A study Permit allows students to work up to 20 hours per week while being a full time active student.
Co-op Work Permit
Programs that offer an internship, must be accompanied by a Co-op work permit. Students will be issued this Co-op Work Permit if one session of their program a training session. This co-op Work Permit is usually issued at the Port of Entry in Canada.
Post Graduate Work Permit
Once you’ve graduated, you are entitled to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit which allows you to stay and work in Canada for up to three years. Afterwards, it’s also possible to apply for a permanent residency permit which allows you to work and live in Canada permanently.
To qualify for the work permit, you must have a valid study permit and be a full-time active student at a recognized postsecondary educational institution. Recognized institutions generally include a public, post-secondary college or university and degree-granting programs offered by private institutions throughout Canada.
Applying for Permanent Residence
If you want to make Canada your permanent home, there are a number of ways to apply.
The most popular is the Express Entry through the Canadian Experience Class path which will require a minimum of one year of Work Experience in Canada..
Language abilities
Canada has two official languages—English and French. To become a Permanent Resident, you must show that you have adequate knowledge of English or French languages.