You need a study permit to pursue your education in Canada
For prospective students, once a Canadian education institution has approved your application, you will receive a letter of admission or an acceptance letter. The next step will be to apply to the nearest Canadian authority in your area of residence to obtain a study permit.
Not every foreign student is required to apply for a study permit. Also if the programme of studies is six months or less, a study permit is not required.
This exemption is valid for any course or programme that is complete by itself. It is recommended that a student apply for a study permit for such short programmes when they intend to apply in another programme afterwards.
You must apply for student authorisation from outside of Canada only. Before a student authorisation is issued, you must have several documents to present to Canadian officials.
You must have an official letter of acceptance from a Canadian educational institute, two recent passport-size photographs (applicant's name and date of birth should be written on the back of the photos), a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds, proof of good character, proof of good health, and the correct processing fee.
Also demonstrate that your intentions are to leave Canada once your studies are completed. Of course, you must also complete the right Canadian immigration application form (IMM 1294).
If you wish to study in the province of Quebec, you must obtain prior approval from the Quebec provincial authorities who will issue a CAQ (Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec) once your application is approved.
Requirements
Ensure the officer evaluating the application is satisfied that applicants have sufficient financial resources to pay for the tuition fees, transportation costs to and from Canada, as well as living expenses for themselves and any family members who may be accompanying them, without the need to engage in employment.
Students are required to demonstrate financial sufficiency only for the first year of studies, regardless of the duration of the course they are enrolled.
Health check
If you come from a country designated by the government of Canada as having high health risks or will be studying in a place in Canada where the government has deemed protection of public health essential, you may need to pass a medical exam.
You may also have to prove to a visa officer that you are a responsible person and do not have a criminal record in any country in which you have been a resident for more than six months.
These checks are done on anyone over 18 years of age who applies for a study permit. The government reserves the right to conduct a criminal or security background check on any immigration applicant, regardless of category.
What you intend
Finally, it is useful to write to the visa officer explaining the motives as to why you have chosen a particular university and programme in Canada compared to other universities in other countries.
In addition, you could also address the officer's concerns as to your return to your present country of residence or native country. You can do this by convincing the visa officer about your ties to your home country and that your intentions are purely to study in Canada.
If required, the visa officer may ask you for an interview, depending on the documentation you provide. This is to know more about your financial security or your intentions to come back to your home country.
It is your obligation to provide information and documentation in support of your application.
The writer is founder of Canadian Legal Services
