Canada is fast becoming a very popular country for international students. This is due to the great respect that many countries have for Canada’s universities and colleges and also the booming economy. Many see Canada as the new land of opportunity and a student visa or study permit to be a very attractive way to get their international careers off to the right start.
As a foreign national, you will not be able to come to Canada and pursue an education without a study permit. So, how do you get one? Read on to learn the 5 essential steps to getting a Canadian study permit.
1. Get accepted by a Canadian university
This is the very first step to getting your study permit. You will need to have a valid acceptance letter from a Canadian university. This letter must be from a designated learning institution to qualify as acceptable. You will also have to make sure that this particular learning institution is authorized by the Canadian government to host international students.
If you are unsure if the institution that you’re applying to is acceptable or institution that you are considering about applying is acceptable you should contact an immigration expert. It is better if you do this before you apply to the university or college so that you are not disappointed later on.
2. Prepare your permit application
You will need a completed permit application. This is no small piece of paperwork and you will need to provide a number of documents to support your application in addition to your acceptance letter. You can learn more about the documents that you need by visiting the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
It is worth bearing in mind that everyone’s circumstances are different and the information that you find online may or may not be completely accurate or suited to your needs. For this reason, it is vital that you contact an immigration lawyer so that when you submit your application it is not denied or delayed for an error in the forms or lack of supporting documentation.
3. Submit the application
Your immigration lawyer will be able to do this on your behalf. Once you have double checked everything on the form your lawyer will then make sure that it is accurate and complete. A mistake here will cost you valuable time. Once your application has been successful you can start to plan your trip to Canada.
4. Get on a plane
Once you have your study permit in hand, you should then start to plan your trip to Canada. This is when things start to get really exciting! Once you land in Canada you will need to provide your study permit and any other supporting travel documents that you need.
If you are already in Canada, then your study permit will be mailed to you. This will allow you to take full advantage of your status in Canada as an international student.
5. Maintain your student status
After you have worked so hard to get your approval for student status you need to make sure that you don’t lose it for any reason. You must meet a series of requirements or you may lose your ability to study in Canada.
These requirements include always being enrolled in an approved learning institution and adhering to all of the conditions that are laid out on your study permit. You will also need to make sure that you are achieving the required grades to stay in your program. By staying on top of your grades and your attendance you will be able to stay in Canada until your permit expires.
