More than 100,000 students from around the world choose to study in Canada each year. Some people choose to study in Canada so that they can learn English and/or French, while many others choose this country for a variety of other academic pursuits.

Canadian student visas permit international students to find a full-or part-time job on campus, and may also allow you to extend your stay for a designated period of time once you are living in the country. For people who study in New Brunswick, Manitoba, or Quebec, it is also possible to obtain work off campus, but you will need to obtain a work permit in order to do so.

If you want to study in Canada, there are some steps you will need to take well in advance of attempting to move there. It is important to keep in mind that all international students must have a Student Authorization and Visa before they can be admitted into Canada to continue their studies.

In addition, potential students must also meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations. As a general rule, it takes about two months for a Canadian Student Visa to be processed.

Eligibility for Student Visas

In order to be eligible for a Canadian Student Visa, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Pass a medical exam (in most cases)
• Obtain a temporary resident visa
• Be in possession of an acceptance letter from the educational institution that you want to attend
• Be able to demonstrate that you intend to return home once your studies are complete
• Provide evidence that you have enough funds to pay your school fees, and that you are planning to live either on campus or at least close to campus

Required Documents

There are approximately seven documents that must be submitted in your application package to the immigration department of the Canadian High commission. Each document must be witnessed by a notary public, magistrate, or a Canadian Immigration Officer.

• TOEFL/IELTS scores, if applicable
• Completed application form
• Bank draft to cover the visa processing fees
• Completed Supplementary Questionnaire
• Passport (this must be valid for at least one year from your planned date of entry into Canada)
• Official letter of acceptance from the Canadian university, institute, or college of your choice

If you are planning to attend a college in Quebec, you will also need a Certificate of Acceptance from the province of Quebec.

Once your application packet has been processed, you will be required to interview with a Canadian Visa Officer in most cases; this is not always a requirement, however. The majority of applicants are required to successfully complete a medical examination.

Most students find it helpful to contact the university or college that they want to attend to obtain any additional requirements that are specific to that institution. This way, international students can be sure that they know which requirements they need to meet from the beginning of the process.