Canada

Choosing to study abroad is a significant decision with several factors to weigh, including the quality of education, the overall environment, and potential costs. When contemplating education options, Canada stands out as a compelling destination for various reasons:

World-Class Education:

Canadian universities are renowned for providing a top-notch education across various disciplines. Impressively, six Canadian universities have secured spots in the global top 100 rankings by Times Higher Education World University Ratings. Additionally, education in Canada is relatively affordable compared to other English-speaking countries like the USA and Australia.

Tech Industry Opportunities:

Canada hosts thriving industries, such as telecommunications, video games, biotech, digital media, and aeronautical engineering. The country has made significant strides in technology and connectivity, with nearly 90% of Canadian households having internet access. Canadian universities excel in technological programs and research.

Language Proficiency:

Canada's bilingual culture offers an excellent opportunity for international students to enhance their language and communication skills. The presence of both French and English as integral parts of the educational system enriches the linguistic experience.

Post-Graduate Employment:

Canada offers a promising pathway to employment after graduation, making it one of the top reasons to study there. The government provides work programs for post-secondary graduates, facilitating a smoother transition into the workforce.

Quality of Life:

Several Canadian cities, including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, rank among the top 50 student cities for studying abroad. Factors considered in these rankings include student diversity, affordability, and employer perceptions of graduates in the job market.

Work Opportunities During Study:

International students in Canada can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week without requiring a separate work permit. They can also work full-time during semester and summer breaks, offering valuable work experience and networking opportunities.

Natural Beauty:

Canada's vast and diverse landscape, stretching approximately 14 times the size of France, invites exploration in all seasons. Students can visit iconic destinations like the Rockies, Lake Louise, Niagara Falls, and Whistler Mountain, enriching their overall experience.

Safety:

Canada is consistently ranked as one of the world's safest countries. Educational institutions take additional measures to ensure the safety of international students, and Public Safety Canada addresses various public safety concerns.

Immigration Policy:

Canada's student visa process is known for its transparency and simplicity. It offers favorable options for students, including post-graduation work permits and opportunities for permanent residency.

Diverse Seasons:

Contrary to misconceptions about Canada's harsh winters, the country experiences all four seasons. Particularly in the southern regions, students enjoy longer days and shorter winters, with spring and fall being highly anticipated seasons. Many courses commence in the fall, allowing students to experience Canada in ways they might not have imagined.

Studying in Canada not only offers outstanding academic opportunities but also enriches the overall personality and life of international students with its world-class education, research resources, and vibrant student life.

If Students are applying to any university in Canada, they need to meet certain requirements. They need to submit some of the important documents while applying. These documents serve as proof of their skills, abilities, nationality, and identity. Universities ask for documents depending on the student's study level and course of study. However, to study in Canada, they will need the following documents:

Recommendation Letters

A letter of reference or recommendation letter plays a very important role in the admission process, especially for Masters and Doctoral courses. A recommendation letter is a signed statement from a person who knows well professionally or has taught students in a subject that is related to the course they are applying to. It should list their positive and negative qualities, strengths and weaknesses, their character and integrity, and other such information.

Statement of Purpose

Statement of purpose plays a very important role in the process of evaluating their application for both admissions as well as financial aid because it gives the faculty, assessing their application, information about them as an individual. In the statement of purpose, the student must define his or her academic goals, and/or research plans. It should include justification for choosing the academic program and specialization, and for selecting the particular college as well as the advantages and benefits of studying that particular course.

Work Experience letters

If students have interned or worked then the experience letters from the concerned organizations, students should make sure to attach their letters of experience.

Passport

To prove students' identity they may need to provide their passport number. Having an up-to-date passport is also essential after they are accepted. Students should not start their application until they have a valid passport.

English Language Tests

As international students, they must take the English language test whether enrolled in Bachelor or Master's degree programs. A common requirement among Bachelors and Master's admission in Canada is the English Proficiency Test scores, which depicts their ability to communicate and survive in an English-speaking community. The two most popular language test scores accepted by the universities of Canada are:

• TOEFL
• IELTS
• PTE

Transcripts

Copies of students' academic transcript(s) and degree certificate(s) from each post-secondary institution that they attended (past and/or current), showing all courses and marks are required. Transcript(s) must be in the original language and include a certified translation if the transcript is not in English. Transcript(s) must display their full name, academic program, and the university's name along with transcript legends/keys/grading scales.

CV/Resumé

A CV/Resumé for students applying for admission should be a one or two-page concise summary of their skills, experience, and education. It should include a summary of their educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations, and other details.

Portfolio

Required for Architecture*, Health Science, Industrial Design, Information Technology, Physics, and Social Work applicants.

Note: This document checklist may vary on the requirement of different Universities.

Once the students get their Offer letter from the University of Canada, they can start the Visa Process. It is advisable to start the Visa process as soon as possible so that they can reach Canada on time before their classes begin. Here is the Visa process- step by step guide:

The process for obtaining a Canadian student visa is as follows:

• Students must first obtain a standardized letter of acceptance from a recognized higher education provider. Students studying in Quebec must also apply for a certificate of acceptance, known as a CAQ, from the government of Quebec.
• The next stage is to get a Canadian student visa application package, either from the CIC website or by contacting their local visa office, or the Canadian embassy or consulate in their home country.
• To get the Visa application package students will need to answer a few questions about themselves on the CIC website. These questions will determine whether they are eligible to apply online for a Canadian student permit, and what documents they will need to provide.
• If the student is found eligible, he/she will receive a personal checklist code, valid for 60 days, which will be needed to submit a visa application online. Students should make sure to print out the page containing their code for future reference. The page will also include an application guide, an estimated tuition fees amount, a list of documents they will need to submit with their application, and guidelines for their next steps.
• When students are ready to apply, they should create a MyCIC account, where they will enter their personal checklist code. They will then receive their personal document checklist which allows them to upload and send their documents to CIC.
• Once students have their documents and application form ready and have paid their fees, they can submit their completed application to CIC.
• Some applicants may have to attend an interview at their local visa office.

Documents required for Visa application

• Letter of Acceptance- A letter from the institute student has been accepted in.
• Proof of Identity- A Valid Passport, which must allow students to return to their home country.
• Two recent Passport size photographs
• Academic documents 10th &12th onwards (Mark-sheets) and Exam scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
• Proof of fees payment -Proof that the fees for the first year of study are paid. It is one of the important documents required for a Canadian student visa.
• Canada Student Visa Financial Requirements: Financial evidence is required to prove that students can sustain themselves in Canada for their study period. Here are the financial documents required for a Canada student visa:
  • If students have transferred money to Canada, proof of their Canadian Bank Account in their name.
  • GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) from Canadian Financial Institute
  • If someone is sponsoring the student, a sponsorship letter will be the mandatory required documents for a study permit in Canada. The student's parents, relatives, friends, and employers can sponsor the student.
  • Proof of Student / Education Loan for getting Student Visa for Canada
  • Bank Statement for the last four months
  • A draft that can be converted to Canadian Dollars
  • Proof of tuition and housing fees paid
  • Student Visa in Canada Medical Requirements: If the student has lived for six or more than six months in a row in any country or territory that is listed for medical examination on the CIC (Canada Immigration and Citizenship) website, or the student has lived in the listed countries for six or more months in the year immediately before the date of the study program, then the medical examination is required.
• Letter of Explanation-The letter of Explanation should convey students goals to the visa officer:
• The reasons they have to Study in Canada
• That they understand their responsibilities as a student.
• Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ Canada):
• To study in Quebec, students will need to have CAQ, and their institute can guide them through the process of acquiring it. It is to be fulfilled only under Quebec student visa requirements.
• If students got approved but do not have CAQ, they can apply for Study Visa in Canada with approval of Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Diversité et de l'Inclusion (MIDI)
• Custodian Declaration Form Canada: If a custodian is required for a minor in Canada, students should fill out a “Custodian Declaration Form”. It is a two-page form where the custodian signs on the first page, and parents or legal guardians sign on the second page.

How long does the visa process take?

It can take up to 90 days to process a student visa application, so it's wise to get it submitted as soon as the student has a valid letter of acceptance from his/ her college or university in Canada. This also depends on the situation in your home country.

Some of the international students can use the Student Direct Stream to get the study permit faster. Fees start at 150 CAD and the processing time is usually around 20 calendar days. The Student Direct Stream is only available for students from the following countries:

• China
• India
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• The Philippines
• Senegal
• Vietnam

Work while studying on a Student Visa in Canada

Students do not require a separate student working visa in Canada for off-campus or on-campus work. International students can work with a student visa in Canada. While studying, a student can study and work in Canada for 20 hours a week during the ongoing academic session and can work full time during the breaks. Additionally, they do not have to wait for six months, as was the case before. They can start working as soon as they reach Canada and have a student permit. Work While Studying is one of the many benefits of a Student visa in Canada.