How to Apply for Study Permit & Temporary Resident Permit
International students are required to firstly apply for Student Permit that authorises them to study in Canada at a designated institution. The Study Permit is not a visa, therefore, the international student has to apply for a visitor visa, or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
How To Apply for Canada Study Permit?
It allows international students to study in Canada but at Designated Learning Institutions (DLEs).
Step 1: Apply for a course at college or university out of DLE List
In addition, you must check that your institution is mentioned with the Covid-19 readiness plan.
list of DLIs with an approved COVID-19 readiness plan
The process is straightforward for genuine candidates with appropriate documents.
Step 2: Obtain Proof of Acceptance
The proof of acceptance is a letter of acceptance from the designated institute that confirms your admission to a particular course.
Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ)
If you wish to study in Quebec then you need to obtain this certificate from Gouvernement du Québec.
In case a student did receive CAQ but his/her CAQ is already approved by Gministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), then he/she can apply for study permit using approval letter from MIFI.
Step 3: Obtain Proof of Identity
It’s typically your passport with enough validity that covers your waiting time for a visa, your course, and also six months after the course. It’s always advisable to renew your passport if it doesn’t have much validity as it will cost more if you get it done through your country’s foreign mission during your stay in Canada.
Step 4: Proof of Financial Support
You need to prove that you have enough funds to support your tuition fees and living costs during your stay in Canada. In case your spouse and children need to accompany you, then you need also to show proof of financial support for them.
Typically, the following documents can be considered as your proof:
- proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you’ve transferred money to Canada
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
- proof of a student or education loan from a bank
- your bank statements for the past 4 months
- a bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
- proof you paid tuition and housing fees
- a letter from the person or school giving you money, or
- proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program
How Much Money Do you Need to Show for a Study Permit?
Funds for Outside Quebec
Persons coming to Canada | Amount of funds required per year (doesn’t include tuition) | Amount of funds required per month (additional to the tuition) |
---|---|---|
You (the student) | CAN$10,000 | CAN$833 |
First family member | CAN$4,000 | CAN$333 |
Every additional accompanying family member | CAN$3,000 | CAN$255 |
Example:
If you are coming to Canada with two family members, and wish to study and live outside Quebec:
- living expenses: $10,000 (for the student)
- living expenses: $4,000 (for the first family member)
- living expenses: $3,000 (for the second family member)
Total: $17,000 (CAD)
Funds for Inside Quebec
Persons coming to Canada | Amount of funds required per year (additional to the tuition) | Amount of funds required per month (additional to the tuition) |
---|---|---|
You (the student) | CAN$11,000 | CAN$917 |
First family member (18 years or older) | CAN$5,100 | CAN$425 |
First family member (under the age of 18) | CAN$3,800 | CAN$317 |
Every additional accompanying family member (18 years or older) | CAN$5,125 | CAN$427 |
Every additional accompanying family member (under the age of 18) | CAN$1,903 | CAN$159 |
Example
If you are coming to Canada with two family members, wish to study and live in Quebec:
- living expenses: $11,000 (for the student)
- living expenses: $5,100 (for the first family member 18 or older)
- living expenses: $5,125 (for the second family member 18 or older)
Total: $21,225 (CAD)
Step 5: Write a Letter of Explanation
This letter should help the visa officer to understand you and your goals that explain:
- why do you want to study in Canada and
- that you understand your responsibilities as a student
- You should include this letter if you decide to apply for a study permit, even if you don’t have to get a study permit for your program.
Step 6: Apply Study Permit
You need to apply for a study permit online, regardless, you are outside Canada or in Canada
Which Documents Are Required for Student Permit
- Proof of Acceptance. For Quebec, CAQ and/or approval from MIFI.
- Proof of identity
- Proof of financial support
- Letter of explanation
- Other documents like transcript/mark sheet and certificates of courses that qualify the admission
- Proof of English (scoresheet of IELTS, TOFEL, etc)
Fees for Study Permit: $CAN 150
Step 6: Apply for Temporary Resident Permit
Once you receive your study permit, you can apply for Temporary Resident Visa. This will require additional fees, and the following:
- Police Certificate
- Medical Exam
Fees for Temporary Resident Visa: $CAN 200
Four Steps for applying for Temporary Resident Permit
Step 1. Gather documents
You must have documents as per the checklist provided by the Canadian Immigration:
Document Checklist [IMM 5484] (PDF, 1.12 MB)
However, the visa officer may ask you to provide additional documents than the checklist.
Step 2. Complete the application
You need to fill out the following forms, whichever apply in your case:
- Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257] (PDF, 0.56 MB)
- Family Information (IMM 5645 or IMM 5707)
- Document Checklist [IMM 5484] (PDF, 1.12 MB)
- Document Checklist – Applicants in Canada [IMM 5721] (PDF, 0.91 MB), if applicable
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 0.78 MB), if applicable
- Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 1.53 MB), if applicable
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual [IMM 5475] (PDF, 1.52 MB), if applicable
Step 3. Pay the fees
You will have to pay the fees for the visa, and also for biometric
Application | $CAN |
---|---|
Visitor visa (including super visa) – per person Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa What’s this? | $100 |
Visitor visa – per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people) Single or multiple entries temporary resident visa What’s this?; maximum fee for a family of 5 or more people applying at the same time and place | $500 |
Transit Visa | No fee |
Biometrics fees | $CAN |
---|---|
Biometrics (per person) | 85 |
Biometrics (per family) (2 or more people) Maximum fee for a family of 2 or more people applying at the same time and place | 170 |
Step 4. Submit the application
Either you can submit your application online, or to a Visa Visa Application Center (VAC)
Interview for Visa
You may be asked to attend an interview so you should be prepared to attend an interview with a visa officer. You should treat it as an opportunity to clarify the officer’s doubts. Humble and confident explanations that refer to proof can win you a visa.