In Canada, Student
Authorizations (student visas) are not required
for English language courses that last less than
six months. If your program will be longer than
6 months, you should apply for a Student
Authorization at the closest Canadian Embassy
or Consulate before coming to Canada. You cannot
obtain a Student Authorization after arriving
in Canada. You must obtain it before you come
to Canada.
One document you will need is a Letter of
Acceptance from the school.Keep this letter
to apply for your Student Authorization at the
visa office. People who apply for programs
of 24 weeks or longer are usually asked to complete
medical examinations. It sometimes takes
two or three months for the Canadian government
to process a medical examination report before
approving a Student Authorization. If you
cannot wait that long it is best to apply for
a shorter program. The Student Authorization
can be extended after you come to Canada.
You must be able to convince the authorities
that you genuinely want to come to Canada to
study, and that you will return to your home
country when your studies have been completed.
You must also submit all of the correct documents.
Requirements
Planning
- Before you apply for your Student Authorization
or visitor visa, you must have: a valid passport,
a Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian school,
proof that you have enough money to support
yourself for your entire stay in Canada.
Financial Support
- You must be able to prove
you can support yourself before a Student Authorization
may be issued. A letter from your bank in your
country and a written pledge of financial support
from a parent will show immigration officials
that you can afford your expenses while you
are in Canada. These expenses include tuition,
homestay, transportation, medical insurance,
personal needs and return trips home
Character Reference
- To be accepted by Canadian officials, you
must prove you are a responsible person
with no criminal record. You may be asked to
provide evidence of this through your
local authorities.
Health Standards
- You must be in good health. You may be asked
for a medical certificate if you have
been living in a country with a high health
risk.
Application
- When you have all the letters and documents,
you may apply for your Student Authorization
at the nearest Canadian consulate, embassy or
high commission. The Student Authorization
allows you to study in Canada. Keep it in your
passport.
Interviews -
You might be asked to see an immigration officer
for an interview. One purpose of the interview
is to help the immigration officer evaluate
you personally. The immigration officer
will want to confirm that you have enough money
to study in Canada, and that you will return
to your home country when your course
is completed. Therefore, you should be well
dressed, well groomed, and on time when
you go for your interview. You should behave
in a positive and polite manner, even
if the immigration officer does not. You should
never lie to an immigration officer.
Fee -
The application fee for a Student Authorization
is CAN$125. You must submit this with
your application.
Passports and
Visas - You will need a passport
and perhaps a visa as well. Canadian officials
in your country can explain this to you before
you leave. The Canada Visitors Visa is
affixed to a page of your passport. It tells
you the date you must arrive in Canada,
the length of time you can stay and whether
it is valid for one or more entries into
Canada. When you arrive in Canada, you must
show immigration officials your passport
and visa. The passport will be stamped with
the date you must depart from Canada.
Check that this date is valid for your whole
stay. If you need more time, ask someone at
Language Studies International to help
you apply.
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