Do you want to Study in Canada as an international student? In this post, we will be giving you an in-depth guide on how to study in Canada as a foreign student including frequently asked questions that you may have in mind.
Should You Study In Canada As A Foreign Student?
It is 2021 and studying in Canada is still quite a hot cake among bright and average students in Africa and Europe. Canada is one of the few countries (with some of the best universities in the world) that offer admission to a lot of foreign/international students and accept low tuition fees.
Apart from that, living in Canada is way cheaper than other top countries that allow lots of international students to study in their schools. The schools in Canada also offer prestigious and respectable certificates and degrees at low tuition fees rates.
Some of the cheapest universities in Canada are part of the top ten universities in the world. In 2023, studying in Canada requires some amount of money.
This is because there are certain fees to pay and spend while undergoing formalities and getting yourself cleared as a student in Canada.
Steps Necessary To Apply To Study In Canada As An International Student
1. Pick Your Preferred Program: The first necessary step to take when deciding to study in Canada is to choose a program. This is very important in your application for a study permit. It is also necessary that you present a strong case for being able to study in Canada in your chosen program.
2. Apply To Your Preferred School: Having chosen a program, the next application step would be preparing and submitting your application to your school(s) of choice. Before applying for a student permit, it is necessary to have a letter of acceptance from a Canadian-designated learning institution also referred to as DLI. Hence, applying to schools to study for your chosen program is important.
3. Apply For a Canadian Study Permit: Having received your acceptance letter from a DLI, the next step would be applying for a Canadian study permit. The study permit aids you with being able to study in Canada as an international student.
Documents Needed To Apply For a Canadian Student Permit
To be able to apply for a study permit in Canada, some documents are usually required in other to go on with the application process. These documents are:
- Acceptance Letter
- Proof Of Financial Aid
- Identity Documents
Acceptance Letter: An acceptance Letter is a letter received from a school in Canada confirming you are accepted to study in the school in your chosen program.
Proof Of Financial Aid: Being able to live in Canada requires money. As such, it is important that you prove that you have the financial support to see yourself through schooling in Canada. Proof of financial support enough to cover your tuition fee for your first year, cost of living, accommodation, food, etc will need to be presented.
Identity Documents: Documents to identify you will be needed. This could be your birth certificate, passport, and Marriage certificate (If married).
Application Process For Obtaining a Study Permit In Canada
There are four stages in which you can obtain a study permit in Canada. These includes:
- Checking your eligibility
- Preparing your application
- Submitting your study permit application
- Moving to Canada.
1. Check Your Eligibility: The first stage in other to apply for a study permit is to check whether or not, you are eligible. To be eligible, you will need all the documents we mentioned above. These are:
- An Acceptance letter from a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI)
- Proof Of Financial Aid
- Identity Documents including supporting documents. Supporting documents vary depending on the country you are free or from which you have citizenship.
2. Prepare Your Application: If you meet all the eligibility requirements mentioned above, the next stage would be to prepare your study permit application. To begin with this, it is necessary that you gather all the required documents including supporting documents for your country. Failure to show meeting the requirement, an immigration officer may decline your application. For some level of certainty, it is always a good idea to discuss with people who have successfully gone through the process for guidance. Alternatively, if you have the funds, you may consider hiring an immigration representative to guide you through this process.
3. Submit Your Canadian Study Permit Application: This is the third stage and also very crucial. When it comes to submitting your study permit, there are two options;
- Submit an electronic application
- Or, Submit a paper-based application.
Submit an electronic application: With this option, you would need to create an account on the website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC). You can thereafter, submit electronic copies of your documents.
Submit a paper-based Application: This option will require that you gather hard copies of your documents and mail them to the Canada Visa Application center in your country.
For the sake of ease, we will recommend that you submit your application for a Canadian study permit through an electronic application.
4. Move To Canada: Before you get too excited, this should only be the case if your study permit application is approved. If your study permit is approved, the next stage would be moving to Canada.
How Do I Know If My Study Permit Is Approved?
If your application is approved, the Canadian Government will issue you a port of Entry introduction letter. You will be required to show this letter to the immigration official when you arrive in Canada. It is with this letter, that you will be given your study permit. This will be given to you at the Canadian Port Of Entry (POE).
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does The Canadian Study Permit Process Take?
The processing time for a study permit could vary. The processing time could vary depending on your country of residence. The shortest processing time is between 1 and 2 weeks. However, depending on a number of factors, including the volume of applications received, processing time could go as long as 16 weeks.
To get a more accurate processing period, we recommend getting in touch with people who have successfully gone through this process. Alternatively, consult with an immigration representative who is vast on these things.
How Much Money Do You Need To Study In Canada?
Unlike most other countries, studying in Canada is quite affordable and easier. If you are on a scholarship, studying and living in Canada is even more convenient, as your fees are less.
With about CAD 20,000 to CAD 30,000, studying in Canada for four years would cost an estimated 100,000 CAD. This fee is an estimate for students who are not on scholarships and differ according to the institution.
Can I Study For Free in Canada?
For now, there is no tuition-free university or college in Canada. The only possible way to study in Canada without paying a tuition fee is if you are on a scholarship. Without scholarships, there is no way you can study for free in Canada. Thankfully, there are usually scholarship programs for international students to partake in.
What are the requirements to study in Canada?
Studying in European countries or others requires a lot of documentation before you can get considered a student.
Below are the requirements to study in Canada:
Requirements To Study in Canada
- Study Permit
A study permit is a prerequisite for any foreign student can begin or start registration for academic activities.
This is after being “investigated” and found to have no criminal record or illegality.
To avoid any problems, it is best to move into Canada through legal borders with a visa, using fake credentials to get your visa or admission.
- Good Health
Canadian Universities request a doctor’s report of your general health and well-being to ensure that you have no serious underhand illness that may cause problems for the school in the future.
- Finance
For students who are not on scholarship programs, you need your tuition fees for you to gain admission into any Canadian University. You also need to have enough finance to cover your cost of living in Canada.
What are the requirements for studying in Canada on Scholarships?
Most Universities in Canada ask for your result in IELTS, an examining body for international students.
This doesn’t apply to Canada alone as many universities in Dubai also need an IELTS examination report.
This examination is rarely required for students who are not applying for a scholarship and are going to pay their tuition fees.
This means that you have to be extra smart in your academics to get considered eligible for a scholarship to study in Canada today.
You have a better chance of gaining a Canadian Visa if you apply for a scholarship scheme that is ENDORSED by your country’s government.
This is because the people who will apply for the scholarship schemes organized by Canadian agencies and government will be more.
Why should I study in Canada?
Canada has established itself as one of the countries with the most universities that award degrees to foreign students with low fees.
Some of the best universities in the world, such as the University of British Columbia, Laval University, and Canadian Mennonite university are in Canada.
They are some of the cheapest universities to attend in Canada with an annual school fee of about CAD 13,000 to 20,000.
Canadian universities offer certificates that get recognized worldwide and can compare to elite universities in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The schools also have some of the best conducive environments to Study in Canada in 2021. Courses offered in these Canadian universities include all known courses.
Conclusion
Studying in Canada is the dream of intelligent students from different continents who want to study abroad. Canada remains a favorite destination for foreign students looking to study abroad and we hope you’ve been able to give you a detailed guide on how to achieve that here.
