Canada Student Visa Documentation Checklist | Everything you need to know

In recent years, Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for international students. It is a dream education destination for thousands of students and immigrants. A Canadian student visa, however, is one of several hurdles students must clear before travelling.

You can start your visa application after you have received your acceptance Proof of Funds letter from your chosen university (Congratulations!). Pay the deposit to block your seat, and move on to the next important step, applying for a student visa.

The process of obtaining a visa can be complicated, which is why we're here to help! 

Table of Contents

1. Here is a list of documents you need while applying for Student Visas

a. Valid Passport

b. Acceptance Letter from Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

c. Proof of Funds

d. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

e. English Language Proficiency Exam

f. Statement of Purpose

g. Passport Size Photographs

2. Processing time for a Canadian student visa

3. Canada Student Visa fee

1. Here is a list of documents you need while applying for Student Visas:

a. Valid Passport

In order to apply for a student visa, students must have a valid passport. The Canadian high commission requires that students have a valid passport for the duration of their expected stay in the country.

b. Acceptance Letter from Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

It is necessary for the student to obtain an acceptance letter from the designated university or institute where they plan to enrol. The officials then recognize the designated learning institute as a university. In addition, students studying in Quebec must obtain a certificate of acceptance from the Quebec government. Before they apply for a study permit, they must first receive this..

c. Proof of Funds

• Students need to submit present proof of funds when applying for a student visa.
• Travel costs to Canada
• Tuition cost
• Expenses for living in Canada

For each year of their stay, students will need at least 10,000 CAD. Furthermore, the student must demonstrate that they have the funds to make a reasonable return. Students interested in applying to Quebec will need at least 11,000 CAD for each year they intend to stay. Other mandatory documents required for a Canadian student visa include financial institution documentation, bank statements, proof of tuition, and room & board payments.

d. Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

International students are required to pass a mandatory immigration medical examination at least one week before they begin their visa application. This gives the doctor adequate time to verify and upload all required documentation.

e. English Language Proficiency Exam

Before beginning the visa application process, students must take the English language proficiency test and obtain their scores. It is required that they submit their English language scores to confirm their acceptance to the Canadian university. TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and other similar tests are all recognized. The minimum score required by students to obtain a visa is 90/120 for TOEFL. For IELTS, an overall band of 6.5 with no bands less than 6.

f. Statement of Purpose

When applying for a Canadian study permit, students must submit an essay explaining why they are visiting Canada, why they have chosen the specific institution, their plan after graduation, and their future goals.

g. Passport Size Photographs

For your application, you must attach a passport-style photograph taken within the past six months. This will be your visa photograph, which you will later upload and submit with your online visa application.

2. Processing time for a Canadian student visa:

If the student is applying for a study permit outside of Canada, it might take eight weeks to process. It is highly recommended to submit an application at least 3-4 months in advance as the processing time tends to depend on the country you live in and the type of visa.

3. Canada Student Visa fee:

There are different types and classes of visas which can be puzzling. We are here to help students through this journey by providing professional and accurate advice.

The Canadian visa applications can be processed via two modes - offline or online depending on your case. A student visa costs 150 CAD. The student visa processing fee can be paid online using a credit or debit card. A demand draft can be used for offline payments. An additional biometric fee of 85 CAD needs to be paid after you submit your visa application.

Visa applications can be challenging. We have professional visa experts who will assist students through the procedure and outcome. They ensure a smooth process of student visas in Canada. 

We hope we have answered most of your questions! If you would like to know more about studying in Canada or require further assistance with your application or international education journey, feel free to contact our experienced counsellors.

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