Study

 

• – STUDENT VISA

• What you need to apply for a study permit:

• Acceptance letter from a DLI
• Proof of Financial Support:
  • Documentation that proves you have sufficient funds to cover your first year of tuition plus living expenses for yourself and any accompanying family members.
    • How much money do you need?
      • It is recommended to provide proof for at least 25,000 CAD (15,000 CAD for first year tuition + 10,000 CAD for living expenses). Additional amount of fund is needed for spouse and each dependent child.
    • Supporting Documentation:
      • Provide acceptable English Language results in an internationally recognized standardized test (generally, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 is deemed the standard score to get offer of admission)
      • Documents that convince the immigration officer that you have family and/or financial ties to your home country and will return upon the completion of your studies.

• English Language Tests Recognized and Accepted in Canada

• Cambridge Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment
  • Accepted by nearly all public post-secondary institutions in Canada
  • Minimum score: overall 70 – with no part below 60
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Also known as internet-based TOEFL (IBT)
  • Minimum score: overall 90
  • Offered in every country except China and Iran
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)
  • Accepted by 90% of Canadian universities and colleges
  • Test results available in around 2 days
  • Minimum score: 60-65 depending on the institution
• International English Language Test (IELTS) – Academic
  • Administered in over 140 countries worldwide
  • Minimum score: overall 6.5 – no band below 6.0

2- UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

 

• Students graduating high school in a foreign country can apply to study for and obtain their bachelor’s degree in Canada.
• Requirements for applying to undergraduate programs:
  • High School Diploma
  • Proof of Financial Support
  • Satisfy the program’s English language requirements
  • Able to demonstrate ties to home country that ensure the student’s return

3- GRADUATE STUDIES

Note that the requirements for attending graduate school in Canada is heavily based on the institution and the program of study you are going into. General academic requirements for obtaining admission for a graduate program include:

• Being in good academic standing (minimum 70% overall in the last two years) in a four-year bachelor’s degree
• Professional reference letters from former employers and/or university professors
• Resume and/or portfolio, depending on the program of study

4- PhD STUDIES

For obtaining a doctorate degree, most PhD programs require at least 3 years of full-time study and research; however, some students take up to 6 years to finish.

• The immigration process for PhD students is very similar to those of graduate and undergraduate; what differs most is the increased specificity in the requirements of different PhD programs 

5- LIFE AS A STUDENT 

5-1- Working While Studying

• Post-secondary international students registered in a designated learning institution (DLI) are authorized to work off campus 20 hours per week without the need of a work permit.
• This authorization comes from a statement in your study permit and allows you to obtain a social insurance (SIN) number, which is an important requirement to getting any job in Canada.
• Sometimes, this statement is not written in some study permits. Before applying for a SIN and accepting a job, make sure you get it amended with ICCRC (it’s free!).

5-2- Accompanying Family Members

Your spouse or common-law partner and/pr your dependent children can legally accompany you to Canada while you are during the course of your studies at a designated learning institution (DLI).

• Spouse/Common-law partner: The spouse or common-law partner of a student is legally eligible to accompany them to Canada as a worker or a
  • The accompanying spouse/common-law partner of a student can apply for an open work permit. With an open work permit, no offer of employment or LMIA is needed

 

• Dependent Children: Your child should meet the definition of a dependent children if they are to accompany you to Canada. The child can come to Canada as a visitor (if they are at an age to attend daycare or kindergarten and younger) or as a student (if they are attending elementary school, secondary school, or post-secondary school. To qualify as a dependant, children must:
  • Be under 22 years old
  • Not have a spouse/common-law partner of their own

6- Student Pathways to Permanent Resident

There are a lot of immigration programs available to international students that wish to become Canadian permanent residents.

6-1- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Requirements:

• Meet minimum language requirements (IELTS General or CELPIP) needed for your job
• Have an equivalent of at least one full year of work experience in Canada in the last three years before you apply
  • Note: work experience gained before graduation does not count towards this requirement. Upon graduating from a DLI, you will likely be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) to gain the work experience needed to be eligible for CEC.

6-2- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program Requirements: 

• FSW does not require Canadian work experience but does require you to have an equivalent of 12 months of full-time skilled, continuous work experience completed in any other country. Therefore, this program will not be an option for students that do not have any skilled work experience. In other words, this program will not apply to undergraduate international students who do not have skilled work experience.
• FSW uses a competitive, points-based system called CRS that automatically ranks candidates.

6-3- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

-Provinces have their own immigration programs and every PNP works differently.

-Depending on the province where the student has graduated from, they may be eligible for a PNP in that province.

– A lot of PNPs may also require skilled work experience that needs PGWP