How much is a student visa to Canada?

August 31st, 2022 by Sagnik Santra

Millions of international students dream of studying in Canada every year. It’s no wonder, as Canada offers world-class education at affordable prices.

If you’re planning to study in Canada, one of the first things you have to do is to apply for a student visa. The process can seem daunting, but we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know about Canada student visa fees. It’s also important to understand the application fees involved in the student visa process, as they are part of the overall costs. Additionally, considering the living costs in Canada is crucial for international students to ensure they have enough funds to cover their tuition and living expenses, along with any additional funds required for family members accompanying them.

So if you are an international student and looking to get your study permit in Canada, read on to know more about student visas in Canada.

Is a Canada student visa easy to get?

Yes! Canada is well known for its welcoming and easy immigration policies, and the student visa process is no different. To get a study permit, you’ll need to provide evidence that you have been accepted into a Canadian educational institution, and that you have the financial means to support yourself during your studies.

As long as you can meet these requirements, you should have no problem getting a student visa for Canada.

How much does a student visa cost?

A student visa for Canada costs CA$150. This is the standard application fee for all study permit applications.

However, you do have to pay CA$85 for your biometrics fee. This is a one-time fee that covers the cost of your fingerprints and photo being taken and stored by the Canadian government. It’s crucial to also have all the required documents ready as part of your application process to ensure a smooth and successful submission.

So in total, you’ll be paying CA$235 for your student visa application.

Please check for the latest and most up to date Canada embassy fees for study visa.

What are the requirements for a student visa in Canada?

To get a student visa in Canada, the process and requirements are very similar to those of student visas in most developed countries.

To qualify for a study permit, you’ll need to provide

  • Proof that you have been accepted into a Canadian educational institution,
  • Evidence that you have the financial means to support yourself during your studies, and
  • A clean criminal record

As you can see, the requirements for a student visa in Canada are not very different from other developed countries.

How do you apply for a study permit to study in Canada?

The first step is to get accepted into a DLI. Once you have been accepted, you will need to gather the required documents. These are:

  • Your passport or travel document
  • Two new passport photos
  • An acceptance letter from a designated learning institution
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of financial support
  • A letter of explanation
  • Proof of relationship (if applicable)

For applicants looking for faster processing, the ‘student direct stream’ offers an expedited option, with processing times of about 20 calendar days. However, it requires additional documents such as a Guaranteed Investment Certificate and proof of language proficiency.

Once you have gathered all of the required documents, you can submit your application online, by mail, or in person at a Canadian visa office.

If you are applying online, you will need to create an account and pay the application fee. You will also need to upload digital copies of all of your supporting documents.

If you are applying by mail, you will need to include all of the required documents with your application, as well as a money order or cheque for the application fee.

Finally, if you are applying in person at a Canadian visa office, you will need to bring all of the required documents, as well as the application fee.

Once you have submitted your application, you will need to wait for a decision to be made on your case.

If your Canadian study permit is approved, you will receive your study permit in the mail. If your application is denied, you will receive a letter explaining why and what your next steps are.

What is the easiest way to get a Canadian visa?

There is no one ‘easy’ way to get a Canadian visa, as each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting a study permit.

However, if you have relatives living in Canada, this may increase your chances of getting a study permit as you will be able to demonstrate ties to the country.

Additionally, if you are applying for a short-term program (such as a summer school program), you may have an easier time getting a study permit as there is less of a commitment involved. Especially if you are considered a visitor, rather than an immigrant. In some cases, a visitor visa might be required in addition to a study permit, especially for short-term studies or preparatory courses.

Finally, if you have already been studying in another developed country (such as the US or UK), you may have an easier time getting a study permit as you can demonstrate that you are a ‘low-risk’ applicant. It’s also crucial to apply to designated learning institutions approved to host international students, as this is a significant factor in the study permit application process, emphasizing the importance of choosing a DLI for international students.

At the end of the day, there is no one easy way to get a Canadian visa. However, if you follow the application process and meet all of the requirements, you should have a good chance of getting your study permit approved.

How do I know if my Canadian student visa is approved?

You will get an eligibility letter in the mail informing you whether your application has been approved or denied.

If your application is approved, you will receive your study permit in the mail. If your application is denied, you will receive a letter explaining why and what your next steps are.

How long does it take to get approved for a student visa in Canada?

When it comes to the processing time, it varies depending on the country you are applying from, as well as the time of year.

Generally speaking, processing times are around two to three months to get a decision on your study permit application. However, if you are applying from a country with a high volume of applications (such as India or China), it can take up to six months to get a decision.

Additionally, the processing time can be longer if you apply during peak times (such as the summer).

So, while there is no definite answer on how long it takes to get approved for a student visa in Canada, you can generally expect it to take two to three months.

How many years is a student visa in Canada?

A student visa in Canada is valid for the length of your program, plus an additional 90 days. So, if you are enrolled in a four-year degree program, your student visa will be valid for four years and 90 days.

It is important to note that your study permit is not a travel document. So, even if your study permit expires while you are still in Canada, you will still be able to stay in the country as long as you maintain your student status.

However, if you want to leave Canada and re-enter at any point, you will need to make sure that your study permit is still valid.

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36 Comments

  1. Joel Haruna says:

    Am joel from Nigeria and I have a passion of studying aeronautic engineering in Canada,I need a scholarship please.Am an undergraduate

    • Charmone Wallace says:

      Hi Joel,

      For any international students looking for scholarships, you can visit https://www.iefa.org/scholarships to view awards that you might be eligible for. You can browse through the available scholarships or use the quick search tool to narrow down your options.

      Best of luck with your application,
      The IEFA Team

  2. Iga Joseph mike says:

    So interesting and I would like to be one of the students applying for the student visa

  3. Paul says:

    My question, is the feeding include in the fees?

    • Charmone Wallace says:

      Hi Paul,

      Thank you for your question. The answer to whether feeding is included in the fees will depend on the specific educational institution you are inquiring about, as well as the type of program or course you are enrolled in.

      In many cases, educational institutions may include some form of meal plan or dining services as part of their fees for students who live on campus or in campus housing. However, this is not always the case, and some institutions may offer meal plans or dining services at an additional cost.

      If you are unsure whether feeding is included in the fees for the educational institution you are interested in, we recommend that you contact the school’s admissions office or student services office directly for more information. They should be able to provide you with more details about what is included in the fees and any additional costs associated with dining services or meal plans.

      Best wishes,
      -The IEFA Team

  4. Jerry G Doe says:

    Hi
    I am Jerry G Doe from Liberia , and I have the passion to study in Canada .

    • Charmone Wallace says:

      Hi there,

      If you’re looking for a scholarships that you may be eligible, you can find them here: https://www.iefa.org/scholarships. Using the quick search tool, you can narrow down your choices by browsing the scholarships available.

      Best of luck,
      -The IEFA Team

  5. Okpe Johnbosco Tochukwu says:

    Good morning all. I am a young Nigerian who loves education and teaching. I really want to study at US. Currently I am enrolled at Atlantic International University Hawaii US but no fund to further. Please I need your help. I have written numerous applications to MPower but nothing have shown. Help me to achieve my bright dream.

    • Charmone Wallace says:

      Hi there.

      We recommend contacting MPOWER directly regarding your application as we cannot assist with your application status.

  6. Samuel says:

    Hello. I am Samuel from Ghana and i have applied for Occupational health and safety management at Can-College for undergraduate. I need a scholarship to pursue my dream course in canada. Thank you

    • Charmone Wallace says:

      Hi Samuel!

      To browse the scholarships available, please visit our website. There, you can view scholarships that you might be eligible for by browsing our awards or using our quick search tool, which will narrow down the scholarships based on what you are studying, where you are studying, or where you are from. https://www.iefa.org/scholarships

      Once you find a scholarship you are eligible for or interested in, you must contact the institution responsible for the scholarship directly. They can assist you with the application process and any questions.

      Best of luck with your application
      – The IEFA Team

  7. Tochi Glory says:

    Hello.. I am Tochi Glory Alaoma,am a nigerian I will love to apply for the free visa to work and study in Canada or us

    • Charmone Wallace says:

      Hi there!

      Thank you for your comment, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide personalized guidance in this matter.

      For comprehensive information on visa options and application procedures, we recommend visiting this website. There, you will find valuable resources and guidance to help you navigate the visa process. https://www.internationalstudent.com/immigration

      Best wishes
      – The IEFA Team

  8. Kata kaziba says:

    Nice

  9. Kata kaziba says:

    Hello, i am kata kaziba from Ethiopia. I have been satisfied on your service. Than you.

  10. TAYE SOLARIN MURITALA says:

    Canada visa from Nigeria to Canada career education college

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