How to Apply for a Canada Study Permit in 2023

For anyone looking for how to apply for a Canada study permit, then this guide is for you!

Getting the opportunity to explore a totally new geographical zone in the quest for knowledge can be a really exciting experience, but since the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus in early 2020, these opportunities have become even more difficult to access as strict travel regulations and bans have been enforced in many countries.

And when it came down to learning how to apply for a  Canada study permit as an international student, everything looked quite impracticable as the Canadian government had to close its borders in late March 2020; thus, the educational sector within the country had to find ways to reform itself, introducing new forms of online resources for carrying out preparatory courses for foreign students.

Though, presently, due to the immediate action by the Canadian government in trimming off the effect of the pandemic, borders have now been open again to accommodate new immigrants, as well as foreign students.

What is a Canadian Study Permit?

A Canadian study permit is simply a document issued by the IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada) which gives foreign students the right to apply to study at any Designated Learning Institution (DLI) within the country.

That goes to say, as a new immigrant looking to study in Canada, it’s a must that you learn how to apply for a Canada study permit!

Also, a Canadian study permit is not a visa…  Thus, it can not ascertain your access to the country. Rather, you’ll need to be issued a Canadian visitation or eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) alongside your study permit to qualify to be granted access to study in the county.

Who Can Apply for a Canadian Study Permit?

The following basic requirements are needed to qualify for a Canadian study permit:

• Applicant must be accepted at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with a corresponding official Covid-19 readiness plan.
• Proof that you are financially capable of successfully handling your tuition fees, daily living expenses, and return tickets back to your country on completing your study program. This also applies to applicants bringing along some members of their family with them.
• You must be recognized in your home country as a law-abiding citizen, with no prior criminal record. This is usually checked by a police proof of clearance certificate (if necessary).
• Two (2) passport-sized photographs of yourself.
• Proof of exit back to applicant’s home country on completion of his or her study program. This is to be submitted to the Canadian immigration officer involved in the process.

Canada Study Permit Required Documents

The following list of documents are required when learning how to apply for a Canada study permit:

1. Proof of identity
2. Proof of financial status
3. Acceptance letter from a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI)

Applicants may also be required to provide the following documents:

• A letter of elucidation
• Certificatd’acceptation du Québec (CAQ)
• A custodian declaration for minors only

How to Apply for a Canada Study Permit

The Canadian study permit application process involves first submitting a letter from your Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) that confirms your admission to study in the respective Canadian institutions.

Next, you’ll need to apply online for your study permit or simply download your application package form to complete your offline application process. Once this is done, proceed to pay your application fee and ensure to keep your receipt of payment safe at all times.

Now, you’ll need to go for a medical examination from a Canadian accredited panel physician; and finally, be patient and wait to get corresponding feedback on your application.

Canada is also nice enough to offer international students a Student Direct Stream program that makes it possible for them to get their study permit much faster than usual.

This specific program applies only to foreign students with legal residency status in any of these countries:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Brazil
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• India
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• the Philippines
• Senegal
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vietnam

Application for a Canadian study permit is best done online, irrespective of whether or not you are currently within or outside the country.

The entire application process for a Canadian study permit usually takes roughly about 90 days (3 months) to complete, so it’d do you good if you can submit your application request as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance from your DLI.

What Should I Do if My Canadian Study Permit Application Request Gets Declined?

One major pitfall that you might come across when learning how to apply for a Canada study permit is actually having your application request declined!

This is usually attributed to any one of the following reasons:

1. Insufficient funds: You can meet all the necessary requirements for a Canadian study permit, but if you can not convince the Canadian immigration officials, with reasonable proof that can comfortably cater for yourself financially for more than a year, then you may have your study permit request declined.
2. Submission of an unvalidated letter of acceptance: As discussed earlier, your letter of acceptance must come from a certified Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) to even qualify to apply for a Canadian study permit.
3. Missing documents: Now, peradventure you failed or forgot to submit certain key documents when applying for your Canadian study permit, you could end up having your application request declined.
4. Not so certain whether you want to return back home: As discussed earlier, a Canadian study permit doesn’t guarantee your permanent stay in the country; and if you are not able to show Canadian immigration officials that you are certain of going back to your home country on completing your study program, then you’d definitely have your application request declined.

For any other reason why you may have gotten your Canadian study permit application request declined, such will be duly communicated to you by the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You also have the freedom to apply again for a study permit at any time, but at your cost as you’ll be required to pay the study permit application fee again.