Study in Canada | Touchsky Moga | Visa Consultant

Canada is one of the best places for higher studies and the country attracts thousands of students each year from abroad. The country provides world-class education which is recognized globally. Research is one of the key components of a graduate student. The universities support the students who come out with the best research ideas and many scholarships are given to students for their research works.

• Affordable Education
• Innovative and Abundant Research Opportunities
• Immigration Possibilities
• Exciting Campus Lifestyle
• Healthy and Safe Communities
• International students can often work while they study & Internships

• Numerous research opportunities
• Possibility of immigration after completing the course
• Vibrant campus atmosphere
• International students have the option of working when studying
• Good internship opportunities

• Education Qualification
  • The minimum eligibility criterion is to be a graduate with 50% score from a UGC or AICTE recognized university.
  • However, the below factors make the client case an exception and a KB query has to be raised to take confirmation on whether you can enroll the client or not before you sell.
    • Year Back
      • The graduation degree has to be completed within the stipulated time with no-year back.
      • Example: B.Com is a 3-year degree. The client should have completed it within 3 years and not more.
      • Example: Engineering is a 4-year degree. The client should have completed within 4 years and not more.
    • Backlogs
      • The client should not have more than 10 backlogs in his/her graduation period.

• A student needs to pursue a course for a minimum duration of 8 months to be eligible to stay back in Canada
• Course less than 8 months does not allow a client to stay back and apply for Post Graduation Work Permit
• For post-graduation work permit a client needs to pursue a course of duration 8 months or more.
  • If the client pursues a course which is of duration less than 2 years, he/she is eligible for a post-graduation work permit of equivalent duration as the course
    • Example: 8 months course = 8 months post-graduation work permit
  • If the client pursues 2 years course (masters or diploma), he/she is eligible for a post-graduation work permit of 3 years
    • Example: 2 years masters/diploma course = 3 years post-graduation work permit

Tuition fees in Canada vary by institution and province, but the cost is generally more affordable when compared to other countries around the world. Technical and medical courses are more expensive than art courses.
On average, the tuition and fees range from CAD 7,000 to CAD 35,000 per year for an international student.

Undergraduate Program :- $12,000 to $25,000 per year 

Postgraduate master’s Program :- $24,000 to $35,000  per year

Doctoral Degree$7,000 to $10,000 per year

The cost of studying in Canada will include other factors such as the cost of living and the student and visa application fees you will need to pay.

Canadian universities and colleges offer three intakes. Intakes may also be referred to as a semester in some institutions. The three intakes available in Canada are:

Intake 1: Fall Semester – A popular intake starts in the month of September

Intake 2: Winter Semester – Starts in the month of January

Intake 3: Summer Semester – Usually starts from April/May, this intake is available for limited programs and colleges.

We would advise you to apply well in advance because admissions and scholarships get difficult when you apply closer to the deadline. It is better to apply 6 to 9 months before the academic session starts.

Student Applicant:

• Students must be over 18 years of age
• International Students can work on-campus or off-campus for up to 20 hours during university semesters and full-time during breaks such as the winter or summer holidays, without the need for a work permit
• Foreign students who are studying in a program that requires work experience such as through a co-op or internship program

Spouse:

In general, spouses are given the same rights as the spouse is already in Canada. Therefore, if the spouse in Canada has the right to work, the spouse who comes to join him or her will also have that right. But also note that only work permit holders can apply for the dependent visas.

You will generally need the following for your CANADA Student Visa application:

• Valid Passport
• Attested copies of 10th, 12th and Degree certificates
• Academic references – 2
• Employer references – 2
• SOP (Statement of Purpose)
• Certificates of extracurricular achievements
• An acceptance letter from your education institution
• Proof of payment
• Proof of financial funds
• Passport size photographs
• Study Permit and visa
• English Proficiency
• Your University will make you aware of additional requirements if any prior to your application

Steps to study abroad in Canada:

Step 1:

Research Your Options:

Before you shortlist the universities, decide what you want to study, where you want to live, overall cost, various opportunities, etc.

Step 2:

Select Universities:

Shortlist the universities (about 10 universities should do) & study programs that meet your requirements and you want to apply for.

Step 3:

 Prepare for entrance exams:

Prepare for the standardized tests like TOEFL/GRE/GMAT/IELTS etc. based on the requirements of the universities & colleges. Register for these tests in advance. While applying for the tests you should also plan for the time required in case you need to retake the test. You should complete these tests before September of the year you wish to apply.

Step 4:

Finance your studies:

Ensure that you have the money ready for your entire period of study in Canada along with accommodation, local travel, food, and other miscellaneous expenses. Decide on how you will finance your studies – personal savings, education loans, student scholarships, or assistantship.

Step 5:

Apply to university:

Contact each university directly for the admission requirements. Every university has its own admission requirements. Complete the applications well before deadlines and send them.

Step 6:

Confirm admission:

Once you get your acceptance letters from the universities that you have applied to, choose the university you would like to study at. The next step is to pay a non-refundable deposit to the university to confirm your admission.

Step 7:

Get Student Visa:

Once you get admission confirmation done, you can apply for your student visa.

A foreign national on a study visa in Canada can bring their spouse and dependent children to Canada. The spouse can also apply for an open work permit. They can work for a Canadian employer for the time the study visa of their partner is valid. However, if the spouse wants to study, they will have to apply for a separate study visa.

Study visa holders can also bring their dependent children to Canada. The children can stay for the duration of the study visa in Canada. Minor children can pursue their school education in the country provided one of their parents can either work or study in Canada. A dependent child should be below the age of 22. Children above 22 years who are not financially independent due to a physical or mental condition are also considered dependents.

• Canada has provided ways to encourage international students and graduates to stay, gain work experience, or otherwise contribute to Canada’s economy and culture
• In its effort to retain international students, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) operate a Post-Graduate Work Permit Program. Under this program, international graduates may obtain an open work permit for up to three years
• This allows them to work for any Canadian employer in any industry without the requirement of a Canadian job offer at the time of applying

A Canada Student Visa will require you to score a minimum of 5.5 bands in each of the 4 IELTS segments for Undergraduate Courses with an overall minimum score of 6.0 and plus. Graduate Courses require 6.5 bands score with at least a score of 6.0 in each of the 4 segments.

The following are the steps to be followed to obtain the Canada Study Visa:

• Submit an online application for the Canada Study Visa on the website of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada prior o your arrival to the nation
• It is also possible to submit a paper-based Visa application in nations that have limited access to internet
• Provide a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). It refers to a University/College recognized by the Government of Canada.
• Offer evidence of adequate financial resources for supporting your studies in Canada including living expenses and tuition fees
• Have no record of crime
• Provide medical records that state you are having a good health condition and if required complete medical examinations

Canada Student Visa requirements include offering proof of funds to support oneself. As of now, it is CAD 10,000 annually excluding the tuition fees. It is CAD 11,000 if you are applying to study in Quebec province.

Submitting ITR – Income Tax Return as evidence of income has not been listed specifically among the mandatory documents for submission. However, Canada Student Visa applicants must note that:

• The mindset of the Visa Officers is to ensure that the student does not become a burden on Canada’s economy and must be able to bear the cost of studies
• Students who fail to support themselves can resort to work unlawfully or in other illegal activities and no nation would be happy about this
• Submitting ITR acts as evidence or a measure that builds confidence that the student will be able to fund the education in Canada without any support externally
• Any Education loans that are approved for Study in Canada are also deemed as available sources

Your application for student permit must have the following documents:

• Acceptance letter from the university
• Valid passport
• Proof that you have enough funds to finance your studies
• Proof of English Proficiency Test
• Academic Documents
• Receipt of Payment of Tuition fee
• Medical certificate
• Selection to a university in Quebec will need a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec’ (CAQ that will be sent by the university

Canada Student Visa applications filed by citizens of India from within India do not require PCC.  

The official currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar often represented as CAD or $.

Canada is an affordable country when it comes to study and live. The total cost you incur totally depends on the place you choose to study. The average cost for an international student seeking an undergraduate course would be at least $18,000. If you are pursuing a post-graduate degree, it might cost you $17,000. There are also postgraduate courses that cost as much as $50,000 too.

You should also consider other costs when putting down your budgeting. Health Insurance will cost $600; the administration fee would be between $150 and $500. The application fees for certain courses would cost $250.

If you want a study visa, you should be having at least $10,000 at your disposal for your living costs. If you want to live with more comfort, you should have at least $15,000. You can consider University accommodation over a rented one as the former would cost cheaper. Having more money is always good.

International students are allowed to work for 120 full days or 240 half days while they study in Canada. This can earn you extra money which you can use for other expenditure. But if you want enough money with which you could support your study, going for full-time work is a better option.

Studying in Canada has many advantages. Choose whichever course you are interested in. Research on which Canadian University is the best for you. Canadian Universities offer world-class education and a practical approach to learning. These degrees are accepted worldwide.

As soon as students complete their graduation, they begin searching for jobs. The majority of these students get employment opportunities. But students from certain fields have a cut above chance of getting a job in Canada.

Below is the list

• Degrees in Dentistry have 100% chances of getting a job
• Degrees in the field of Medicine have 99% chances
• Nursing degrees have 97.4% chances
• Pharmacy degrees: 97.2% Degrees in Pharmacy have 97.2%
• A degree in Computer science has 96.5%
• Degrees in business have 94.9%

Based on the latest information, the top jobs available in Canada are related to healthcare and STEM-related fields. Canada needs workers in these areas and is encouraging graduates from these fields to apply for them.

• Attested copies of 10th, 12th and Degree certificates
• Proof of passing the English language proficiency test– TOEFL, IELTS
• The score of Standardized Tests such as GMAT, GRE (where necessary for the program)
• Academic references – 2
• Employer references – 2
• Photographs (Passport size)
• SOP (Statement of Purpose)
• CV/Resume
• Other Certificates & Achievements of Extracurricular Activities
• Certificates of extracurricular achievements

You must prepare for standardized tests such as TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, IELTS based on the requirements of the university or course you are applying to. You must register for these tests in advance. Prior preparation for these tests is also necessary. You can do this by attending coaching classes or taking online courses. Sometimes you may have to retake these tests to get the qualifying score.

Before you leave for Canada, ensure that you have enough funds that will take care of your entire period of stay in the country. This should include funds for tuition fees, accommodation, food, clothes, local travel, and other expenses. You must plan on how you will fund these expenses either with your personal savings, educational loans, scholarship, etc.

Students going to Canada must buy a special guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) from any of the participating banks such as Nova Scotia Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI Canada Bank, CIBC Bank for an amount of CAD 10,200 to facilitate the adjustment of the living expenses of the first year. With the GIC the student will receive CAD 2000 on arrival in Canada. The rest of the money will be paid in 12 equal installments to take care of his monthly living expenses.

Canada’s immigration policy allows the spouse and minor dependents of student visa holders to come to Canada to work and study. The spouse of a dependent visa holder can work in Canada on an open work permit. They can work for any employer in Canada and do not require an LMIA or job offer before arrival in the country. The work permit will have the same period of validity as the study permit

Minor children of student visa holders can study and do not require a study permit to pursue their education in Canada.

To bring dependents the student visa aspirant can apply for his dependents concurrently or wait for his student visa application to be approved before making his application for his dependents.

The following relations can be sponsored for a dependent visa:

• Spouse or common-law partner or conjugal partner
• Dependent children under the age of 21
• Dependent parents or grandparents
• A child adopted outside Canada while you held Canadian citizenship or PR
• Your brother, sister, niece, nephew, uncle, aunt or other close relatives

Your dependents can live with you in Canada.

Passport & travel history

Background documentation

Spouse/partner documentation including marriage certificate

Other proof of relationship

Income proof of sponsor to show adequate finances

Completed application & consulate fees

Even though Canadian colleges and universities are closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, they are accepting online applications from international students.