Study in Canada as International Student
Study in Canada as an International Student
The government of Canada allows people from all over the world to apply for study in Canada as international students. Later you can also extend your study permit and work in the country while you study or even after you graduate. It is worth mentioning, that residents of Hong Kong may qualify for some special measures to come to Canada. These include open work permits for recent graduates and priority processing.
Before you start the application process in order to Study in Canada as an International Student, it is important to decide where and what you want to study in Canada. Then, you have to learn more about the admission requirements of the schools, colleges, or universities you like and check the list of those that are allowed to receive foreign students. Remember, that in Canada each province and territory has its own education system and rules. You can always check them online, for example on the official pages of Ministries and departments responsible for education.
After you choose a school, college, or university in Canada, you can start your application process in order to study in Canada as an International Student. First, you have to check that you apply at least six months in advance, if you plan to study at a primary or secondary school in Canada. If you want to study in a post-secondary program at a university or college, then you must apply one year before the start of the program.
The school you have chosen can provide you with all the necessary details on the process, including the list of all the documents you need to send them in order to be qualified for study in Canada as an International Student. Your school will also inform you about the price of the application services, tuition fees, and health insurance recommendations. It is worth mentioning, that the Government of Canada does not pay for the medical costs of foreign students, so before you pay the insurance - check the requirements of your chosen educational institutions. Every school, college, or university in Canada has a list of language tests they accept. If you want to know more, for example, rent prices or how much it costs to live in Canada your school can provide this information too.
Study in Canada as as an International minor Student has some peculiarities that you must remember. First of all, each province and territory decides the age when a person becomes an adult. Secondly, the parents or legal guardians must prove their minor child will have the care and support they need during their stay and studies in Canada.
The next step is to fill out the application forms for the school(s) of your choice and submit them. If the school admits you, they will send you an acceptance letter, which is necessary for your future study permit. Most international students need it, as this document allows them to study at designated learning institutions in Canada. Remember, that a study permit is not a visa and it does not allow you to travel to or enter Canada - you may need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization. The visa will be issued by the Government of Canada if they approve your study permit. Newcomers who live in India, China, Morocco, the Philippines, Pakistan, Senegal, or Vietnam might be able to get their study permits faster. They can apply online through the Student Direct Stream.
The validity period of your study permit is usually equal to the length of your study program in Canada plus an extra 90 days. During these 90 days, you can prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay in the country. It is worth mentioning, that you are allowed to leave Canada during your studies, but when you return to the country you may need to show proof that you are still enrolled in your school. Your visitor visa or electronic travel authorization must still be valid when you return to Canada too.
If everything is correct and you fulfill all the necessary requirements, your application will be approved and you will get your study permit at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada or mailed to you if you are already in the country. Taking into account the COVID-19 situation, it is important to make sure that your chosen school, college, or university in Canada has an approved COVID-19 readiness plan. Please check this before you travel to Canada.
Those applicants who get the refusal will receive a letter explaining why. Typical reasons to refuse the application are lack of proof that you have enough money to support yourself, absence of your medical exam results (if needed), your main purpose in Canada is not studying or you do not plan to leave the country at the end of your study period.
When you arrive in Canada to study in Canada as International Student, you will be met by the border services officer. The list of documents they may need to check includes your valid passport or other travel documents, the letter of introduction that you received from the visa office when they approved your study permit in order to be authorized to study in Canada as International Student. Remember, this letter has a unique permit reference number, which is used to issue your study permit. Also, you must have a copy of a valid letter of acceptance from your school, college, or university in Canada; proof that you have enough money to support yourself; your valid electronic travel authorization (it will be linked to the passport you used to apply for your study permit) or a Canadian visitor visa and any other documents you were asked to bring but the visa office.
It is worth mentioning, that you or your spouse or your common-law partner can get a work permit while you study in Canada as international student, after you graduate, as an international student, you can work temporarily or stay permanently in Canada. You can work as an international student on your school campus, without a work permit, if you are a full-time post-secondary student at a public post-secondary school, private college-level school in the province of Quebec, or Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law. You must also have a Social Insurance Number.
It is important to remember, that many Canadian study programs include work experience as part of their curriculum. You are allowed to apply for a co-op or intern work permit if work is required to complete your study program and you have a letter from your school that confirms this. Your co-op placement or internship must be 50% or less of your study program in Canada.
If you plan to work off-campus, you and your employer must check if you are allowed to do so. It is very important, because if you start working off-campus but do not meet the requirements, you may have to leave Canada. The permission to work during your studies will be mentioned in the conditions on your study permit. International students who are allowed to work off-campus are full-time students who are enrolled in a post-secondary program in all provinces or a secondary-level vocational training program in the province of Quebec; their study program lasts 6 months or longer and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. A Social Insurance Number is a must to start working off-campus. Part-time international students can work off-campus if they meet all of the requirements above and study part-time because they are in the last semester of their study program and they were full-time students in their program in Canada, up until the last semester.
Remember, that after you graduate from your program of studies, you may be able to work temporarily or even live permanently in Canada. First, you need a work permit and then the experience you gain while working may help you qualify for permanent residence in Canada.
