Understanding Canadian Study Permits: A Beginners Guide

You must first get a study permit if you wish to come to Canada to study as an international student. Foreign students who wish to live in Canada and pursue their education at an accredited institution are granted a study permit by Canadian authorities.

Do I require a Canadian Study Permit and what does it entail?

A foreign national may enrol in academic programmes at Canadian institutions with the help of a Canadian study permit. The Canadian study permit is necessary for all foreign nationals to lawfully study in Canada, regardless of whether they are enrolled in elementary school, secondary school, college, university, or another programme (see below for the very few exceptions). Only foreign people who can demonstrate they will be attending a Designated Learning Institution will be granted Canadian study visas (DLI).

What do you understand by designated learning institutions?

A school is considered a DLI (Designated Learning Institution) if the Canadian government has granted permission for it to accept international students into its academic programmes. All elementary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs and welcome international students. You must first check the list of DLIs provided by the Canadian government because not all post-secondary institutions are DLIs.

How long is the duration of a study permit?

The duration of a study permit's validity depends on the programme of study at the time of application. The student must request an extension of the study permit if the programme changes or if they switch to a longer-lasting programme. Regardless of the date on the permit, the study permit expires 90 days after the student completes their studies. The foreign national must leave Canada before the study permit expires or submit a request to stay longer. Many students opt to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit, which, if granted, allows recent graduates to remain and work in Canada.

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What conditions must a foreign student meet in Canada?

The requirements for an outsider with a study permit to study in Canada are as follows:

Constantly be a member of a DLI
and move closer to finishing a programme.
adhere to the restrictions outlined in the study permit
if they no longer meet the requirements, discontinue studying.
Depart Canada once permission has run out.

Reminder: Breaking the rules of any permit allowing a foreign national to be present in Canada may affect a person's ability to apply for immigration to Canada in the future.

How can I obtain a permit to study? Existing qualifying criteria?

A valid acceptance letter provided by a DLI in Canada is required before you can be given a study permit for Canada. In order to be eligible, you must also fulfil the following requirements:

1. Document for Travel: own a current passport (or other lawful travel documents)

2. Demonstrate sufficient finances to satisfy the following requirements:

Pay your first year of study's student fees in accordance with the DLI's guidelines.
Cover all costs for the student's first year of residence in Canada as well as any accompanying family members.
Provide transportation from Canada to the student's home country for the student and any accompanying family members.
Liquid funds must be shown to be present in an account held in the principal applicant's, spouse's, family member's, or close friend's name.

3. Medical Exam: After receiving an application for a study permit, a visa officer will often ask the student and any accompanying family members to undergo a medical examination.

4. Criminal Record: In some instances, a visa officer will ask for police clearance certificates after receiving an application for a study permit to make sure a person isn't a threat to Canadian security.

Few Exceptions that allow studying in Canada without requiring a Study Permit.

There are several typical circumstances in which a foreign national may study in Canada without needing a study permit.

First, if the study programme lasts no more than six months. In this situation, a person may finish the course as long as they have valid entry into Canada, which is often gained through a visiting or tourist visa. However, students must request to extend their stay in Canada if the course is a part of a lengthier programme or if it will take them more than six months to finish it.

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Second, minor children who are either refugees or claimants in Canada, or who have parents who are, do not need to have permission in order to study there. Additionally, minor children can enrol in preschool, primary school, or secondary school without a study permit provided a parent is legally permitted to work or study in Canada.

Can I work while I'm a student in Canada?

If you have a study visa, you are eligible to work part-time and are not required to apply for a work permit separately. Additionally, you must confirm that you have a current Social Insurance Number in order to locate part-time employment (SIN). Your ability to work, however, ends the moment you finish taking the full-time course or the study permit expires.

Can I change schools or programmes while I still have my study permit?

As long as their study permit does not mention this information, students are not needed to apply for a new study permit if they switch academic institutions or alter their subject of study inside Canada. Before a student can enrol in a new course or school, the information on the study permit—if it specifies the institution or subject of study—must be amended. In order to change institutions in Quebec, an international student must first apply for a new CAQ.

The study permit must be modified if a student changes their level of education, such as going from elementary to high school or from high school to university.

Can I bring my family with me?

The spouse and children of a full-time student who has a valid study permit are allowed to go with him or her to Canada. If the spouse obtains a study permit or spousal open work permit, they are permitted to study or work. While accompanying small children are not required to apply for a study permit in order to attend preschool, elementary school, or secondary school, any children attending a post-secondary educational institution are.

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When evaluating a study permit application, a visa officer will take into account whether or not the applicant has provided evidence that they intend to leave Canada when their permit expires. The officer will deny the study permission if they are not certain that this stipulation has been met. After a person applies with their husband and children, it may give the impression to the officer that they intend to stay in Canada permanently and won't be leaving when their visa expires.

Can I submit an application for a study permit from within Canada?

Except for the individuals mentioned below, who are qualified to apply for a permit from within Canada: All foreign nationals must get study permission before visiting Canada.

Possession of a temporary residency visa that is valid for at least six months; minor children; exchange students;
A spouse or common-law partner who resides in Canada and has applied for permanent residency through the Family Class Sponsorship
A person with a current study permit who wants to extend it or a relative of that person
Members of the accredited foreign representatives' families or private staff.

Can I travel to my native country on vacation?

Absolutely! A valid passport, study permit, and travel document for re-entry into Canada are all required of the permit holder (either a travel visa or an eTA depending on the country of citizenship). Permission to re-enter might not be granted if any of these conditions are not satisfied.

How will I be able to stay in Canada once my studies are over?

The Post-Graduate Work Permit programme allows the majority of foreign graduates (international students) from any of Canada's Designated Learning Institutions to apply for an open work permit. However, not all of the DLIs' programmes qualify their graduates to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. Make sure to confirm that the programme you are enrolled in qualifies you. Gaining Canadian work experience will boost a foreign national's eligibility for the Express Entry - Canadian Experience Class programme, which grants permanent residency in Canada.

Any student who has completed one level of education is eligible to apply for a programme and study permission for a higher level. A high school student applying to a university, for instance.

A person may be able to apply directly for permanent residence through the Express Entry-Federal Skilled Worker programme, Provincial Nomination Programs, or another legitimate immigration scheme, depending on their qualifications.

To know more about the Latest Canada Study Updates: visit here

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