Applying for a Canadian Student Visa As A South African student makes it easier to acquire your study visa to be able to travel to Canada as a student in South Africa.
Canada is one of the many countries that attracts a lot of students into their country to learn. Like any other country, to gain admission into one of the educational facilities in Canada as an international or foreign student, you should first and foremost own a student Visa. The student Visa is also called a study permit in Canada.
What is a Study Permit?
A study permit is a document supplied by Canadian immigration authorities that allows international students to study in Canada. Until International students have a valid study permit, they cannot study in Canada.
How do I Apply for a Study permit?
You must travel to Canada with the Letter of Introduction and all required documentation. You would meet an immigration officer at the airport. Present the Passport and the Letter of Introduction to the border control agency officer, who will validate them and issue you your Study Permit if they are deemed sufficient.
Eligibility or Requirement criteria for Applying for Canadian Study Permit.
You can only apply for a study permit or student visa in Canada once you meet the following requirements.
- You have been accepted by a designated learning institute (DLI).
- You need to show proof that you can cater for your tuition fee and living expenses.
- You need to show proof that you have a clean background and no criminal record. The aspirants need to produce a police verification certificate to prove this.
- You need to do a health check-up and produce a medical certificate that certifies that you are in good health.
Documents needed in the Application of a Canadian Student Visa or Study Permit?
Aspirants for a Canadian study permit can only begin to apply for a study permit once they have received a letter of acceptance from the college.below are the required documents needed to apply:
1. Valid Passport
A valid passport is an important criterion for any international or foreign student who wishes to study abroad. As a student aspiring to study in one of the colleges in Canada, you need to have a valid passport that starts clearly the duration of your stay in Canada.
- Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution
Designated Learning Institutes are universities that is recognized by the Immigration Department. To be able to get a study permit, you need a recommendation in a form of an acceptance letter from these accredited universities.
3. Proof of Funds or Bank Statements.
At the time of application for your Study Permit, you would have to show proof of funds. The most way of showing proof is by attaching your bank statement to your application forms. The money in your bank statement should be able to cater for your living expenses and tuition fees.
- Passport Size Photographs
In applying for a Canadian study permit, you would have to provide a facial recognition. There are two ways of providing facial recognition depending on how you are applying. If you opt for an on-line application, you will have to provide sizeable passport pictures. Note, the size should not exceed 4MB. Application other than on-line application will require a standard neutral facial recognition, plain background. Note:
- Size of the image should be at least 35 mm x 45 mm
- Image should be recent (not older than 6 months)
5. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
6. English Language Proficiency Exam Score
Writing this test is not really important but when you write it, it at times expedite your application process. TOEFL, IELTS, etc. are all acceptable.
7. Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose usually contains an essay stating the purpose of your trip to Canada and why you have chosen the particular institution.
8. Credit Card
You will need a credit card to authorize payments if you are applying on-line. Note that, the system only accepts credit card and not a debit card. The Visa Application Fee for Canada is CAD 160.
About the Author
