 In Canada, international students are required to obtain a study permit to be able to engage in study programs at any Canadian educational institution. According to current policies, international students are required to pay tuition fees for the year of study before they are able to apply for a study permit. However, in a recent ruling, the Federal Court of Canada has ruled that the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) policy requiring international students to pay tuition deposit before submitting a study visa application is seen as unreasonable and is a direct violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
What this court's ruling means is that international students may now apply for a study visa without the necessity of having to pay tuition fees for the entire academic year upfront. This landmark decision is expected to simplify the process of obtaining a study permit and to make it more accessible and affordable for international students and may also help boost Canada's competitiveness as a choice destination for international students.
It is important to understand that while the court has ruled against the requirement to pay tuition fees before applying for study permit, international students still need to pay tuition fees for the academic program they are enrolled in once they resume in Canada. For more information on this news, you may want to keep reading to the end where you can find link to the official news.
       Requirements For Canada Study Permit (Step-By-Step Guide)
In order to obtain a study visa for Canada, you must meet several eligibility requirements. Here are the general requirements to be able to enroll in a Canadian university:Â
1. You must have have also gotten a letter of acceptance from a Canadian educational institution that is legally designated to admit international students.
2. Proof of financial support: You must show proof that you can financially support yourself in the course of your stay in Canada. This includes costs related with tuition fees, living expenses, and other incidental costs. You may show this proof through the submission of bank statements or other financial documents to demonstrate your ability to support yourself.
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3. Clear criminal record: You may also be required to submit a police clearance report to prove that you have no previous criminal record.
4. Medical examination: You may need to also do some medical examinations to prove that you are in good health.
5. English or French proficiency: You may be required to prove your proficiency in English or French, depending on your specific background, and the language of instruction of your program.
6. Valid passport: You must have a valid passport or other allowed travel document.
7. Pay application fee: You must pay the cost associated with processing the study permit application.
Keep in mind that these are only general requirements, and there may be additional requirements depending on your specific situation.Â
Ensure you consult the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or speak with a licensed Canadian immigration lawyer for further information.
Study Permit Issued Between 2019 and 2022 In Canada
According to most recent available information from the Canadian government, the total number of study permit holders in Canada as of December 31, 2020 were 1,174,395. This includes both the new and returning holders of the study permit. However, it's worth noting that this figure may not reflect the actual total number of study permits issued between 2019 and 2022, because some study permit holders may have left Canada in this period, renewed their permit, or transitioned to other immigration categories during that time.Â
The Canadian government usually releases yearly statistics on the number of study visa holders and other categories of immigration .
       Average Tuition Fee In CanadaÂ
The average tuition fee in Canada may depend on the level of study, the province or territory, and the specific program. According to data from Statistics Canada, the average undergraduate tuition fee for Canadian full-time students in the 2022/2023 academic year is $7,937 CAD per year while the average fee for international undergraduate students is $31,872 CAD per year.
For graduate programs, the average tuition fee for Canadian full-time students in the 2022/2023 academic year is $8,526 CAD per year while their international counterparts pay an average tuition fee of $21,317 CAD per year.
It's important to understand that these are just average values, and tuition fees can vary across a wide range depending on the program and the institution. Some professional programs like law, medicine, and dentistry, can have even much higher tuition fees than this average value. There are also additional costs to consider such as living costs, books, and supplies when budgeting for studying in Canada.
How To Apply For A Study Permit In Canada
To apply for a study permit in Canada, you can follow these steps:Â
Get accepted into a designated learning institution (DLI): You must first apply and be accepted into an institution legally able to host international students in Canada. DLIs are institutions that are approved by the Canadian government to host international students.Â
You can find a list of all DLIs on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.Â
Gather required documents: You will need to gather all the necessary documents to support your study permit application.
Create an account and submit your application online: You can create a free online account on the IRCC website and submit your application on their platform. You will need to pay the necessary application fee when you submit your application.Â
Wait for a decision: IRCC will then assess the application and may request additional information or documents.
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If your visa is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction that you will need to present to the border immigration officer when you arrive in Canada. The immigration officer will then issue your study permit at that time.
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It's important to note that the application process can take some months, so it's highly recommended to apply early enough in advance of your planned start date.Â
You should also ensure to carefully review all the requirements and guidelines for applying for a study permit to be sure that you submit a fully complete and accurate application.
How Much It Cost To Process Canada Study PermitÂ
The processing fees for a study permit application in Canada varies and largely depends on the type of application and where the application is being submitted. The application fee for a normal study permit is currently $150 CAD. However, additional costs may need to be incurred depending on your individual situations, such as the need for a medical exam or biometric information.
There may also be other types of expenses related with preparing your application, such as language proficiency tests, police certificates, translation and authentication fees.
Processing Time for Canada Study Permit
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The time to process a study permit application in Canada depends on different factors, such as the volume of applications being treated by the visa office, the peculiarity of your case, and the completeness of your application. Generally, it may usually take from a few weeks to several months before a decision on your study permit application is arrived at.
According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, the estimated processing time for a study permit application submitted outside of Canada stands at approximately 20 weeks (5 months) for online applications, and 25 weeks (6 months) for paper applications. These are just mere estimated processing times, and actual processing times may be different depending on your individual circumstances.
Keep in mind that you should apply for your study permit well in advance of your planned start date to allow for sufficient time for the authorities to process the application and for you to make any necessary travel plans. You can always know the status of your application by checking it online using the application status tool on the IRCC website. You can read the official news from the Canadian government here.
Concluding Thought: This will be a game changer when it comes to international study in Canada. However, there's a concern on how this will impact study visa approval rates.
Immigrate with Ammy will continue to review this and provide you with further updates. Don't forget to connect with me here.