Do’s and Don’ts of Applying for a Canadian Student Visa

Students should remember some do’s and don’ts of applying for a Canadian student visa. Once they are accepted into their chosen university, it is advisable to do a little homework before applying for a student visa. Student visas are indispensable and crucial immigration aspects, enabling legal entry into the country, while study permits allow students to study and reside at specific institutions of learning in the country. Upon applying for a study permit in Canada, one is automatically assigned a visa. 

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Do’s while applying for Canadian student visas

Sufficient Funds for covering tuition costs- 

Find out the amount required as proof of funds for a Canadian student visa, covering living costs, tuition fees and the expenditure on transportation for returning to the home country. 

Work permit applications (for co-op terms)- 

Co-op terms enable paid working terms while studying, enabling experience and expertise in any study field. Those with co-op terms in their degrees should apply for work permits. 

SOPs with study permit applications- 

SOPs are mandatory and should be included with study permit applications. These are essays talking about the reasons for choosing any particular institution, the student’s academic and professional background, objectives, and milestones. The SOP should talk about personal experiences and how they contributed towards the choice of academic field/discipline, along with skills, and future plans. 

Document Copies- 

One should have multiple copies of all documents for the visa including the ID, results of English language tests, and letter of acceptance. Copies may be kept in carry-on luggage and not check-in baggage while traveling to the new country. 

Don’ts while applying for Canadian student visas

• Documentation should never be incomplete. Check and ensure that no crucial document is missing and build a checklist in this regard. Some vital documents include the letter of acceptance, proof of funds, identity proof, SOP, travel history, and other personal details. 
• Prepare for the student visa interview. Practice responses to common questions posed by immigration officers. This will include questions on the reasons for choosing an academic program, coming to study in the country, test scores, and funding living and tuition costs. One should be able to convince the immigration officer about coming to the country primarily for studying. 
• Avoid informing the officer about plans to reside/shift to Canada after completing the educational program. There is a post graduation work permit program and other pathways towards staying here in the future. Yet, out of respect for the regulations of the present visa, one should not mention these plans during the visa interview. 
• Always apply with sufficient time in hand. Apply six months before the starting date of the educational course or right after getting the letter of acceptance. One should have a buffer timeline for application rejections or requests for additional documents. 

New regulations for international students

While keeping in mind the do’s and don’ts of applying for a Canadian student visa, students should also note the latest guidelines for international students. Canada has relaxed its regulations for students outside the country, enabling them to apply for post graduation work permits till 31st August, 2023 while being outside the country as well. Online classes or distance learning is also allowed for international students who are waiting for visa confirmations. Those applying prior to 31st August, 2022, can finish up to 100% of their courses online without any impact on the PGWP eligibility or application. 

Those beginning programs between 1st September, 2022, and 31st August, 2023 or applying for study permits before the latter period, can finish up to 50% of their courses in the distance mode. From 1st September, 2023, all studies done outside the country will be subtracted again from the PGWP length.