Student Visa Canada

Education is very important in Canada and many Canadian citizens and permanent residents can benefit from federal funded, provincial and local government schools. This is one of the reasons why a visa for Canada has become so popular for more than 130,000 choosing to study in Canada every year.

Start Your Free Visa Assessment

Visa Canada

Are you eligible to study in Canada? Find out now by taking the free Canada visa assessment. Global Visas makes Canadian immigration easy with a simple, step-by-step assessment tool.

Benefits of the Canadian Study Visa

This type of Canadian visa offers a variety of benefits including the freedom to work on campus and holders can extend their duration if necessary.

Under the Canadian immigration and visa law, student visas are issued as a temporary immigration service even though they afford a much greater duration than that of a Canadian tourist visa, they do however require their holders to return home when their visa duration expires. A Canadian student visa cannot be used as a route to obtaining permanent residency or offer the chance to apply for Canadian citizenship. This visa is meant as a temporary status visa for Canada.

Duration of Canadian Study Visas

Like most countries, Canadian study visas are often awarded for the duration of the course of study, however students applying for a student visa in Montreal or another city in the province of Quebec will need to renew their study visa every year. Applicants who undertake courses with a duration of less than six months do not specifically need to obtain a study visa, it is advisable though to an applicant that they should apply for the student visa in the case should the applicant decide to further their studies in Canada, then the permit can be renewed from within the country without having the applicant go back home.

Student visas are not meant to be used as a way to gain permanent residency or citizenship within Canada; however, student visa holders are allowed to work part time whilst studying. In some provinces, namely Quebec, Manitoba and New Brunswick, it may be possible to work off campus which will also require a separate application for a Canadian work permit. However, in most cases students are only permitted to engage in employment on campus.

Qualifying for a Canadian Study Visa

Canadian students’ visas requirements are almost similar to those applying for a Canadian work permit, as study visas depend upon an applicant receiving an authentic offer of place on a course of study. Applicants must have a firm offer of a place from a valid Canadian educational institution in order to apply. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible after the offer is confirmed in a letter of acceptance from the institution concerned. Applicants must all be able to meet the following requirements.

  • Applicants must hold an acceptance letter from an established educational institution in Canada confirming a definite offer of a place on a course of study.
  • Applicants must be able to prove that they can support themselves financially throughout their time in Canada, and that they can afford to live near to the location of the institution.
  • Since Canadian study permits are issued as temporary visas, it will be necessary for candidates to show their intention to return to their country of residence upon completion of studies.
  • In some cases, applicants may have to undergo a medical examination.

Temporary Resident Visa Application

Certain nationals from some countries who would like to temporarily move to Canada in order to study will need to apply for a temporary resident visa or TRV. Should you require a temporary resident visa for Canada, applications must be made at the same time as the application for a study visa. To find out if non-Canadian nationals from your country of residence require a TRV in order to study in Canada contact Global Visas and one of our Canadian immigration consultants will be able to advice.

Canadian Study Visa Exemptions

The majority of foreign students who wish to study in Canada need a student visa to do so, however in some cases it is possible not study in Canada without one. The best example of this is a six months duration course, and should the applicant wish to extend their student visa to study for longer they will need to apply for a study. If applicants cannot obtain a study visa they will be required to leave the country and reapply. Student visas are also unnecessary for those who are either related to or an employee of a foreign representative to Canada.

Global Visas is a specialist in immigration and visa services hence we offer a complete range of services for your relocation to Canada with our specialist immigration lawyer advice throughout your application. Find out further information on our Family Visa for Canada page. To find out whether you qualify for a Canadian student visa or if you would like some help in obtaining any of the visas that Canada awards, get in touch with us now visa our free online assessment test.

Start Your Free Visa Assessment