Study in Canada
Canada is a welcoming country for immigrants, and unlike other English-speaking nations, it’s open to foreign newcomers. To this end, it has designed many immigration programs to attract migrants, one of which is the Canada study visa.
Every year, thousands of students from around the world head to Canada, hoping to take advantage of its advanced educational facilities and build a bright future for themselves. They see it as a safe destination for immigration, especially since they’re aware of Canada’s generosity in offering permanent residency to students.
In recent years, studying in Canada has become one of the main and popular pathways for immigration to the country, and it’s expected that in 2025, study visas will be issued for 305,900 new students. That’s exciting news that’s hard to overlook.
In this article, we’ve gathered all the information you need about the Canada student visa so you can accurately plan your educational migration to this country.
Every year, many students from around the world, aspiring to study in Canada and benefit from its advanced educational facilities, as well as to obtain permanent residency make their way to this vast country
If you are considering studying in Canada but do not have complete information on the subject, this article is a comprehensive guide to answer all your educational questions
What types of study visas are there for Canada?
Canadian study visas are categorized into two types: student visas and pupil visas.
Student Visa: This type of visa is issued to applicants over 18 who intend to study at colleges and universities in Canada.
Pupil Visa: This type of visa is issued to applicants under 18 who wish to study at schools in Canada.
The application process for both of these visas is the same, but the requirements and necessary documents vary to some extent, which we will explain further in this article.
Conditions for obtaining a collegian visa in Canada
Be accepted by a recognized university or college in Canada with a DLI number;
Be in good financial condition to pay for tuition and living expenses for at least one year, and provide proof of this financial ability to the Canadian immigration office;
Have sufficient ties to your home country;
Convince the immigration officer that studying in your chosen program and level in Canada has many advantages and positive impacts on your future, to the extent that you cannot achieve those goals in your home country;
Convince the Canadian immigration officer that your stay in Canada will be temporary and that you will leave the country after completing your studies.
Be in good physical health;
Have no criminal record.
Conditions for obtaining a student visa in Canada
In order for your child to obtain a student visa for Canada, they must also meet additional requirements beyond the ones mentioned above:
They must have acceptance from a recognized school in Canada at the elementary or high school level;
If your child is 10 years old or younger, one of the parents or their legal guardian must accompany them during their studies in Canada.
If your child is over 10 years old and parents are not accompanying them, you need to designate someone as their custodian in Canada.
In the next sections, we will discuss the Canadian student visa in more detail.
Since TIE and the officer play a crucial role in the issuance of study permits for Canada, we will explain more about them below:
What is a TIE?
The ties to your home country are what are referred to as “ties.” For example, if we say your ties to Iran are weak, it means that after leaving the country, you don’t have a strong connection to return to Iran.
Now that you’re familiar with “ties” in the context of a visa for Canada, let’s get acquainted with the next concept: Balance of Ties.
Whenever the term balance of ties comes up, think of a scale. On one side of the scale are your connections to your home (let’s say Iran), and on the other side, your connections to Canada are weighed. Which side is heavier? That answers the question of ties.
Who is the officer?
Officers are not aliens 🙂 They are humans, just like you and me. The officers are employees working for average pay at the Canadian immigration office. Most are from the middle class and have either a college diploma or a bachelor’s degree. The nationality of the officers is as diverse as the cultural variety of Canada. Of course, they are all Canadian citizens.
Given the countless cases that flood into the Canadian immigration office, it’s only natural that these officers are quite busy. Informed sources at the immigration office have told visa lawyers that it takes no more than a few minutes to review each case.
What are the age requirements for obtaining a study visa for Canada?
Age is one of the important and influential factors in getting a study visa for Canada. There should be a logical relationship between age and the accepted educational level. The closer the age matches the educational level being accepted, the higher the chances of getting a visa. Conversely, the older the age in relation to the educational level, the lower the visa chances will be.
For example, a 25-year-old who has been accepted for a master’s program and is applying for a visa has better chances than a 45-year-old who has also been accepted for the same master’s program.
Statistics on study visa approval for Iranians in Canada
The conditions for student visas to Canada for Iranians have been relatively good in recent years compared to other countries. Iran has consistently been among the top ten countries in terms of the number of study permits issued, which is great news for Iranians looking to apply.
The acceptance rates for Canadian student visas for Iranians over the past three years.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The number of educational visa cases approved |
6,429 |
– |
– |
|
Total number of student permit holders |
11,930 |
13,500 |
14,765 |
How much does a student visa for Canada cost?
| Cost of case review at the Canadian immigration office | |
|---|---|
|
study permit per person |
$150 |
|
Extension of study permit |
$150 |
|
Restoration of Student Status |
$350 |
|
Student’s accompany job visa |
$255 |
|
Student accompany tourist visa |
$100 |
|
Student’s accompany visa |
$100 |
| The cost of fingerprinting | |
|---|---|
|
Fingerprinting in Canada per person |
$85 |
|
Fingerprinting for each family (two people or more) |
$170 |
| The cost of language test / document translation | |
|---|---|
|
English or French language test |
Average cost: $300 |
|
document translation |
Average cost: $250 |
financial ability
To get a student visa for Canada, you need to show proof of sufficient funds for at least one year of tuition and one year of living expenses in Canada, which on average is between 35,000 and 55,000 Canadian dollars for the year 2024. In the next section of the article, we will provide more detailed information about financial requirements.
The cost of hiring an immigration lawyer
If you want to get help from an immigration lawyer for a study visa for Canada, you should expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000 on average. However, these amounts can vary depending on the lawyer’s experience and reputation. Also, if your spouse and children are accompanying you, you’ll need to pay extra costs.
How much is the financial requirement for a Canadian student visa?
In response to this question, it should be explained that according to Canadian immigration law, you must demonstrate the ability to support at least one year of tuition fees and one year of living expenses in Canada, which averages between $35,000 and $55,000. Naturally, if you are married, you will also need to calculate the expenses for your dependents for one year.
But how is this financial capability of Canada calculated ?
The answer is really simple. Take your annual tuition fee from your admission letter for study in Canada or from the website of the educational institution, then add that number to the cost of living for one year in Canada listed in the table below. For example, if your tuition is sixteen thousand dollars a year and you’re single, you should do the math like this:
36,653 = 20,653 + 16,000
Yes, 36,653 dollars is the minimum amount you need to show is available in your bank account. Naturally, the higher this amount, the more assurance it gives the officer that you will be able to support yourself. Just make sure it’s clear where this money is coming from. Your money shouldn’t be loans or debts as those might raise suspicions.
Minimum financial capability for one year of student life in Canada
| Number of people traveling to Canada | Annual living expenses (excluding tuition) |
|---|---|
|
1 |
20,653 |
|
2 |
25,690 |
|
3 |
31,575 |
|
4 |
38,346 |
|
5 |
43,491
|
|
6 |
49,050 |
|
7 |
54,610 |
|
More than 7 For each additional person |
5,559 |
The amount is in Canadian dollars.
!Important
Financial capability for a student visa in Canada is calculated using the same formula.
Financial capability is very important for a Canadian student visa, and if you can’t provide enough funds to the Canadian immigration office, your visa will be rejected.
It is recommended that Iranian applicants present more than the minimum required amount.
For more information, check out the financial capability page for Canadian study permits.
What documents are required to get a Canadian study visa?
The documents required for a study visa for Canada can be divided into three main categories: personal documents, financial documents, and forms. Gather all personal documents into one file and upload it as “Personal Information” in the online application as requested by the Canadian immigration office.
Do the same for financial documents. Collect all financial documents into one file and upload it as “Proof of Means of Financial Support” in the relevant section of the application.
Personal documents
If you don’t have a companion
Form 1294
Form 5257, also known as the travel history form
Form 5645, also known as the family form
Form 5476 (Use of Representative Form), also known as the lawyer form (if you have a lawyer)
If you are applying with a spouse/child
In addition to the above documents, you will also need the following:
Form 5713 for the principal applicant
Form 5257e for the accompanying person who is applying for a tourist visa
Form 5257b, or the travel history form, for the accompanying person who is applying for a tourist visa
Form 5645, or the family form, for the accompanying person who is applying for a tourist visa
Form 1295 for the accompanying spouse who is applying for an open work permit
Form 5257b, or the travel history form, for the accompanying spouse who is applying for an open work permit
Form 5707 or the family form for the accompanying spouse who is applying for an open work permit
Financial documents
Your bank statement and that of your sponsor (if you have one)
Account activity from the last 4 to 6 months belonging to you and your sponsor
Proof of payment for the university deposit or a scholarship letter (if available)
Documents showing the sponsor’s income:
If they are an employee: employment letter, work contract, last three pay slips
If they own a company: company registration documents, official newspaper, articles of association, and proof of their income
If they are self-employed: business license
If they are retired: retirement order
Property documents in your name or the sponsor’s: land deed, apartment, shop, lease agreement, car title, etc.
Sponsor’s financial support commitment letter (if available)
You might be wondering who a sponsor is and what qualifications they should have?
A sponsor is someone who commits to financially support you while you’re living in Canada. The sponsor is also required to provide the financial documents we mentioned in the previous section.
But who can be a financial sponsor? Anyone can commit to paying money, but logically there should be a reason for someone to become your sponsor. Preferably, get your financial support letter from a close relative. Otherwise, look for others after that. The financial supporter can be from any country.
Canadian study visa application forms
If you don’t have a companion
Form 5257, which is also referred to as the travel history form
Form 5645, which is also known as the family form
Form 5476 (Use of Representative Form), which is referred to as the power of attorney form (if you have an attorney)
If you are applying with your spouse/child
In addition to the above documents, you will also need:
Form 5713 for the main applicant
Form 5257e for the accompanying person who is applying for a tourist visa
Form 5257e, or the travel history form, for the accompanying person applying for a tourist visa
Form 5645, or the family form, for the accompanying person applying for a tourist visa
Form 1295 for the accompanying spouse applying for an open work permit
Form 5257b, or the travel history form, for the accompanying spouse applying for an open work permit
Form 5707 or the family form for the accompanying spouse applying for an open work permit
!Important
Before preparing your documents, pay special attention to the following points!
Providing accurate and well-thought-out documents at this stage is crucial because every document you submit will be recorded in the immigration department’s system and will be visible throughout all Canadian immigration processes.
Avoid submitting any fake documents for obtaining a Canadian visa, as even if you manage to get the visa, you will always be at risk.
Also, if you plan to apply for a post-graduation work permit or permanent residence in Canada after your study visa expires, your case should be thoroughly thought out and planned. One of the very important reasons many applicants decide to hire a professional immigration lawyer is this matter.
All files, except for the photo file, must be in PDF format.
The size of the files should not exceed 4 megabytes.
All documents in Persian must be translated into English or French.
Next, we will explain the details of the required documents for a Canadian study visa.
Checklist of documents required for Canadian student visa
Admission Letter for Canada
To apply for a study visa for Canada, you need to upload the final acceptance letter, referred to as the Letter of Acceptance (LOA), in the designated section of the online application.
Universities that require a deposit will first send an Offer Letter, which cannot be used for the study visa application. To receive the final acceptance letter or LOA, you need to pay the university’s deposit amount. Include the receipt for the deposit payment in the Proof of Means of Financial Support file.
A few points about conditional acceptance and student visa in Canada
Conditional acceptance letters are those in which the university or college has outlined specific conditions for entry into the program. If you can prove to the immigration officer that you can meet those conditions, there shouldn’t be any problem in getting your visa.
Conditional acceptance may include: being conditional on completing a language course, conditional on taking prerequisite courses, or conditional upon submitting documents for your educational background.
If your acceptance is conditional upon a language course or completing prerequisite courses, Canada’s immigration typically issues a study visa that covers the duration of the prerequisite program plus an additional year. After completing the prerequisite course and starting the main program, if you need more time for study and stay in Canada, you will have to extend your study permit and visa.
Valid passport
Upload a scanned copy of the first page of your passport and any other stamped pages in the appropriate place in the online visa application. If your visa is approved, its validity will coincide with the expiration date of your passport. Therefore, make sure that your passport is valid for at least the entire duration of your studies or longer from the beginning, so you won’t have to deal with passport renewal and visa extension later on.
New passport photo
Upload your photo in jpg format in the designated section of the online application. A suitable photo for the Canada study visa should meet specific criteria:
The photo should not be manipulated in any way. Don’t make any unusual edits to the photo, and believe me, how good you look in this picture won’t affect the visa outcome at all. Your face should be completely neutral in the photo. No smiling, no frowning, nothing. If you wear makeup, don’t overdo it. Your natural appearance should not change. Wearing prescription glasses in the photo is fine, but don’t use non-prescription lenses or stylish glasses. Having a headscarf for the Canadian visa photo to cover your hair is not a problem, but using coverings that obscure facial features won’t be accepted. The acceptable photo size for Canada is three and a half by four and a half centimeters, with the space from chin to forehead between 31 and 36 millimeters.
Work Experience Letter
In the work experience letter for Canada, you should include your job title, duration of employment at the company, salary amount, and a description of your job responsibilities. The letter must be on the company letterhead and should be stamped and signed by the company manager, along with a date. Additionally, in this letter, the company manager can mention their approval for your leave to study in Canada.
Note: If the job letter is in English, it does not need translation even if its letterhead is in Persian.
Job Offer Letter from the Home Country
The job offer letter is another employment document that is not mandatory for the Canadian study visa application, but submitting it can convince the immigration officer that job opportunities await you after graduation when you return to your country, clarifying your future career path.
In the job offer letter, written by the company manager or a senior member of the organization where you work, a new job at a higher level is offered to you, which also comes with better benefits and salary. It also states that after returning from Canada and completing your studies in their required field and specialty, you are allowed to work in the offered position.
Note: The job offer letter must be on the company letterhead and have a stamp, signature, and date.
Study Plan
Your explanation letter is for the immigration officer regarding your Study Plan. The Study Plan helps the visa officer get a better understanding of you and your goals. In your Study Plan, it should be clear:
Why you want to study in Canada;
Why you chose this particular field of study;
What your career and educational progression will look like;
What your plans are after graduation and leaving Canada;
Why you are not pursuing this field of study in your home country;
What factors will bring you back to your country? What are your ties to your home country?
What are your financial resources for covering tuition and living expenses?
Submission letter or the immigration lawyer’s defense letter
If you have an immigration lawyer or legal advisor, it’s beneficial for you because in addition to providing a Study Plan, your lawyer can defend you in a separate letter called a Submission Letter or immigration lawyer’s defense letter, based on immigration laws and regulations.
Although the Canadian immigration office does not give direct advantages to those with a lawyer, it’s well-known how crucial having a lawyer is for winning legal matters. So while a lawyer won’t perform miracles for you, their experience, expertise, and knowledge (if they have these qualities 🙂) can be very decisive.
Please note that non-lawyers and pseudo-advisors cannot provide this letter.
Attestation letter from the province
All student visa applications, except for those related to master’s students, PhDs, and schools, must be submitted with an attestation letter – attestation from the destination province.
CAQ
Do you want to study in Quebec? You will need a Certificate of Acceptance from Quebec, or (certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ. Your CAQ letter must also include the following phrase:
To apply for a CAQ, you first need to submit your application online and pay the fee. After that, you should send in the required documents through the Arima portal.
If your CAQ application has been approved by the Quebec Immigration Department but you’re still waiting to receive the CAQ letter, you can apply for a Canadian study permit with the initial approval from the Quebec Immigration Department. You don’t have to wait for the actual CAQ to apply for the study permit. When the CAQ is issued, a copy is sent to the Canadian immigration authorities.
CAQ Deferral Rules
If you’re deferring your admission, you usually don’t need to reapply for a CAQ. To be sure, we recommend carefully reading the text of the CAQ letter. The details about deferral rules are explained in that letter.
Is it possible to obtain a Canadian study visa without a language certificate
The answer to this question is positive. Fortunately, for Iranians, language certification is not a mandatory requirement for obtaining a student visa to Canada, but providing it can influence the immigration officer’s decision and the visa outcome.
So, if you’ve received a conditional acceptance from a university or college, we recommend that you work on your language skills, retake the test to achieve the minimum requirements of that educational institution, and then apply for the visa with an unconditional acceptance.
Improving your language skills can help both financially and in terms of job potential, as well as mentally and emotionally.We always recommend that as long as you are in your home country, make every effort to strengthen your English or French (depending on your needs).
Read more: Minimum IELTS score for immigrating to Canada
What are the procedures for obtaining a Canadian study visa?
In a few practical steps, we’ll teach you how to apply for a student visa to Canada:
Step one: Prepare the necessary documents
Gather all the documents we’ve previously outlined for a student visa to Canada in the form of Personal Information and Proof of Means of Financial Support files, and prepare other documents such as the acceptance letter, CAQ letter (if available), passport, student visa forms, and a photo separately so that you can upload them in the appropriate sections of the online application later.
All files, except for the photo file, should be in PDF format and not exceed 4 megabytes in size.
Step two: Create an online account on the CIC website and answer the application questions
Go to the website of Immigration Canada and on the opened page, in the Apply Online section, answer the two questions presented:
The first question asks if you are applying from inside Canada, outside Canada, or at the border.
Select the option that applies to you:
Then answer the second question: Are you applying online or by paper?
Based on your response, the necessary instructions will be displayed, and at the bottom of this page, you need to click on the option Create an Account or Sign in.
Once you enter the new page, from the four available options, click on Don’t have an account and create an account.
Then you need to enter your first name, last name, email address, and date of birth, after which a series of questions will be displayed that you must answer correctly. Depending on your answers, at the end, the titles of the forms and the required documents will be shown to you. Any incorrect response will lead to the display of incorrect documents.
Step Three: Upload the required forms and documents in the online application
At this stage, you should upload the files that you have prepared and named to their respective places in the application. If you don’t have the visa forms ready in advance, you can download these forms in this section of the application, fill them out, sign them, and then upload them in the specified place.
Step Four: Pay the application fee and submit it
After completing all the necessary steps, at the end of the application, you need to pay the fee and click on the submit option. Submit means sending the online visa application to the Canadian immigration office and finalizing your request. You will need Master Card or Visa Card for payment.
We atRainCity take care of the entire visa process and payments for you.
Step Five: Complete the Canadian visa biometrics
After submitting the application, within a few hours to a few days, you will receive a letter called the Biometric Instruction Letter, which you will use to schedule an appointment at one of Canada’s biometrics centers, and on the designated day, you will complete the Canadian biometrics process.
Since the Canadian embassy is not present in Iran, you will need to go to neighboring countries where the Canadian embassy is located for your biometrics, and carry out your biometric process at the VAC offices.
Biometrics is required only if you have not completed any Canadian visa biometrics in the past ten years.
Step Six: Congratulations! You’ve got your visa.
After your application is reviewed and accepted by the Canadian immigration office, you’ll receive a letter called a Pass Request, asking you to send your original passport to the Canadian embassy for the visa label to be placed in it.
For this purpose, you need to handle your visa pickup either in person or through a reputable company. The visa pickup usually takes a few weeks.
Step Seven: Prepare the POE letter along with other required documents and get ready to travel to Canada.
After some time from receiving the Pass Request letter, the Canadian immigration office will send you another letter called POE.
?What is the POE letter
POE, which stands for Port of Entry, is a letter issued to you after your study permit application is approved. This letter allows you to obtain your study permit upon arrival in Canada.
On the POE letter, there’s a section labeled Permit validity, which states when you must enter Canada. If you don’t enter by that date, you’ll have to submit a new application. This timeframe is non-extendable. The validity of this letter matches the validity of your study permit.
Prepare all necessary documents along with the POE letter to present to the officer at the Canadian airport. Then book your flight ticket and head to Canada. We’ve detailed all the information you need regarding entry rules to Canada after obtaining the visa
How long does it take to get a Canadian study visa?
The processing time at the Canadian embassy for student visas can vary from one day to several months, and there isn’t a fixed timeline. Visa applications aren’t reviewed in chronological order at the Canadian embassy, and the processing times depend on the embassy’s workload and the applicant’s home country.
Student Visa for Canada
If you’re like many applicants sending your child to study in Canadian schools, you’ve probably applied to schools and received their acceptance and are now preparing to apply for a student visa for Canada.
Guardian
If you have a school-age child in elementary school, naturally one of the parents or their guardian must accompany the child to Canada (a guardian is a legal caretaker for children under 18). This typically applies until they are about ten years old. In this case, sometimes this person’s visa is referred to as the Canada guardian visa.
According to Canadian government regulations, if the parents or guardians of students under 18 cannot accompany them to Canada, they must appoint someone in Canada as a custodian.
Custodian
Your child needs a caregiver in Canada who can assist them in emergencies. This person is called a custodian. The custodian must be a permanent resident or have a Canadian passport, sign the custodian form, and be accessible to the school. The custodian is responsible for ensuring that your child has care and support in Canada. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the duties of a custodian in Canada.
Canada Study Permit Accompanying Visa
The Canada study permit accompanying visa includes two categories of people:
The spouse/child of a student who has obtained or is applying for a Canadian study visa.
The parents of a student who has obtained or is applying for a Canadian student visa.
The spouse/child of a student who has obtained or is applying for a Canadian study visa.
As someone who has obtained or is going to apply for a Canadian student visa, you definitely can’t be alone, nor can your spouse and children. So what’s the solution? Fortunately, Canada is generous in this regard. You can apply for a Canada study permit together with your spouse. Of course, you can also apply for a student accompanying visa for both your spouse and children.
The good news is that your spouse has the opportunity to work full-time while you’re studying academically. Your children will also benefit from free public schools and educational services in Canada. Well, what could be better than that!
A very common question that almost all applicants for a Canadian student visa ask is:
Should we apply together or separately?
The answer to this question is relative. Applying simultaneously for a Canadian student visa as a couple can be beneficial in some cases and detrimental in others. At RainCity after processing thousands of cases, we’ve developed models based on the outcomes of that data to increase applicants’ chances. In fact, we use an algorithm that is based on the positive and negative results of previous cases.
Parents of a student who has either obtained a student visa for Canada or is applying for this type of visa
If your child is under 18 and has received an acceptance letter from a Canadian school, according to Canadian government regulations, you as the child’s parent can apply for a dependent visa and accompany them for their studies in Canada.
Your visa will be a tourist visa. With this type of visa, you are not allowed to study or work in Canada, but you will have the option to convert this visa into a student or work visa. This means that if you get accepted by one of the educational institutions in Canada or receive a job offer from an employer there, you can change your tourist visa to a student or work visa, and in this case, your child’s education in public schools in Canada will be free.
Why do Canadian student visa applications get rejected?
Student visa rejections in Canada usually happen for the following reasons:
The purpose of study is not logical and convincing; (the reason for rejection in 77% of cases between 2019 and 2021)
The future career and academic pathway is not convincing;
Your financial capability is not sufficient for one year’s tuition and living expenses in Canada;
Your ties to your home country are weak, or you have relatives in Canada;
Your documentation for proving your return to your home country after studies is insufficient; (the reason for rejection in 26% of cases between 2019 and 2021)
Your documents are incomplete or the information provided is incorrect.
What to do after your Canadian student visa gets rejected?
If your student visa application was rejected, do not lose hope. A rejection is not the end of the road. After a rejection, you can take several steps and enter the post-rejection phase:
Apply for a note from the officer. The note will provide more details about the reasons for the rejection.
Reapply for the visa or, in other words, resubmit.
Request a reconsideration.
Appeal in the Federal Court of Canada.
On the page about the reasons for the refusal of a Canadian visa, there is more useful information about solutions to overcome the rejection.
How do I apply for a note from the officer
As previously mentioned, to have more information about the reasons for the rejection of your case and to make an informed decision for the next step, apply for a note from the officer.
To do this, submit your request online on the Immigration Canada website. However, you can only apply for a note if you are a citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, or if you have a temporary visa for Canada, such as a work, tourist, or study visa. Therefore, if you do not meet these conditions, we at RainCity will do this for you.
How can I increase my chances of getting a Canadian student visa?
Show that you will leave Canada after graduation.
For this purpose, in your study plan, in addition to stating your educational goals, you should also refer to three main points:
Explain how studying in Canada will impact your future career and how you will apply the skills gained after returning to your home country.
Refer to your job dependencies, indicating that there is a job waiting for you upon your return from Canada that requires specialized skills, and that the skills you acquire in Canada are essential for success in that job.
Mention emotional, financial, and social dependencies in your home country. Indicate that your family members are looking forward to your return and that life without them will be difficult, as well as the assets and properties you have that require your presence in your home country.
Show that you have enough money to cover the costs of studying and living in Canada.
In the financial section of your visa application, you should properly consider the following three points:
Provide the tuition fee for the first year and the living expenses for the first year in your bank statement. Generally, providing more money increases the chances of obtaining a visa.
It is better for your money to remain in the bank for 4 to 6 months, and provide account statements.
Your financial sponsor should be a close relative, such as a parent, sibling, or spouse. The closer the relationship of the sponsor, the better, as it increases the chances of obtaining a visa.
Read more: financial capability for a Canadian student visa
There should be a logical relationship between the level of education and age.
It is better to apply for Canadian educational programs that correspond to your age. Generally, if you apply for a Canadian student visa under the following conditions, your chances of obtaining the visa decrease:
– If you are over 25 years old and applying for a college or bachelor’s program;
– If you are over 35 years old and applying for a master’s program.
You might say that you know people who have obtained visas under similar conditions! Yes, this is possible, but generally, the chances for such cases are lower. The Canadian immigration officer does not directly refer to the factor of age and its relation to the level of education, but experience has shown that cases where the individual’s age aligns with the accepted level of education have a higher chance of obtaining a visa.
The accepted field of study should be related to the previous field of study.
If you meet the conditions for receiving admission to a program related to your previous level of education, do not hesitate and definitely apply for a related field, as this increases your chances of obtaining a visa. The Canadian immigration office is strict in this regard and usually rejects cases where there is no specific and purposeful connection between the accepted field of study and the previous field of study.
However, if you cannot obtain admission in a related field and have to apply for interdisciplinary fields such as management, leadership, or business, you need to clearly and convincingly explain the connection between the fields and the purpose of your studies.
Obtain an unconditional academic acceptance
Although language scores are discussed at the level of academic acceptance and providing a language score to the Canadian immigration office is not a requirement for obtaining a student visa for Iranians, experience has shown that the Canadian immigration office is more sensitive and strict regarding acceptances that are conditional on completing a language course. Therefore, to increase your chances of obtaining a Canadian student visa, obtain a direct and unconditional acceptance.
Additionally, providing a high score in English or French can have a positive psychological impact on the officer’s decision-making, as it shows that you will not have a language barrier for studying.
Pay one year of tuition in Canada in advance
There is no written law regarding the payment of one year’s tuition for obtaining a Canadian student visa, and it is not mandatory. However, in some cases, the immigration officer may request that applicants pay one year’s tuition for the university. This positively influences the immigration officer’s decision and demonstrates the applicant’s serious intention to study in Canada.
Read more: Paying tuition for Canadian universities
Explain any gaps or long breaks in your education
An educational gap refers to the time between your previous educational level and the next one.
The question that arises for officers is what you have been doing during this time? Was the work you were doing related to your field of study or not? And what are your plans for the future? Why have you decided to continue your studies at a higher level in Canada after several years?
What is the difference between a Canadian study visa and a study permit?
A visa is a label that is placed in your passport and allows you to enter Canada. However, a study permit is a document issued upon arrival at a Canadian airport that allows you to study in Canada. Both of these documents must be renewed before they expire.
How to extend a Canadian study visa?
To avoid any issues, always pay attention to the expiration date of your study visa. Apply for its extension at least 30 days before the visa expires. You can submit your visa extension request online to the Canadian immigration office.
If your visa extension is approved, you must send your original passport to the Canadian embassy for the visa label to be placed in it. Also, be mindful of your passport’s expiration date, as the visa’s validity is issued based on the passport’s expiration date.
Once you have submitted your extension request, it is recommended that you do not leave Canada, as you will need a valid visa to re-enter the country and may encounter problems.
For more comprehensive information about Canadian study visa regulations, visa extensions, and study permit extensions, please refer to the Canadian study permit regulations and visa extension page.
Is it possible to change universities or colleges after obtaining a Canadian visa
Yes, this is possible. After obtaining the final visa approval, you have the option to change your path from University A to College B or University C. However, before changing your educational institution, make sure that the destination university or college has a DLI number.
Additionally, according to Canada’s new regulations in November 2024, to change your educational institution, referred to as Change DLI, you must resubmit your study permit application to the immigration office and obtain a new study permit.
Is it possible to work with a Canadian study permit?
Work Regulations with a Study Visa in Canada
You must be a full-time student;
Your study visa must be valid;
If you have a prerequisite language course, you are not allowed to work until the language course is completed;
You are not allowed to work before the start of your study term;
You can work both on-campus and off-campus;
You do not need a work permit for student work, but if your study program includes an internship or Co-op course, you must obtain a Co-op work permit;
To work with a study visa in Canada, you must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN). One of the first steps you should take after arriving in Canada is to register for a SIN.
Is it possible to obtain a work visa after studying in Canada?
Yes, fortunately, the Canadian government has created conditions to attract international students and employ them as skilled labor in the Canadian job market, allowing these students to remain in Canada and work after graduating from Canadian educational institutions. After gaining one year of work experience in Canada, they can apply for permanent residency.
The work visa after graduation in Canada, known as the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), is issued for a maximum of 3 years, and its validity is calculated based on the duration of the study program.
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Programs shorter than 8 months |
do not qualify for PGWP |
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Programs between 8 months and 24 months
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.the length of the study program
.If you are at the master’s level: 3 years
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Programs longer than 24 months |
3 years |
To be eligible for a PGWP, you must have been a full-time student and at least 50% of your study program must have been conducted in person, and you must have graduated from one of the public universities or colleges in Canada with a DLI number.
Can I convert my Canadian study permit to a work visa?
The answer to this question is yes. One way to convert a Canadian study permit to a work visa, or work permit, is to receive a job offer from Canadian employers and then obtain an LMIA from the Canadian labor organization, which is, of course, the employer’s responsibility. The job offer must fall under the TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 levels in the Canadian job classification system.
However, obtaining a job offer from Canadian employers is not an easy task, and it is necessary to find a suitable job and get the employer’s approval before leaving your studies. After receiving a job offer and LMIA in Canada, you can apply for a work permit and convert your study permit to a work visa.
How to convert Canadian study visa to permanent residence?
There are two main pathways to obtain permanent residency in Canada after studying:
Pathways to obtain permanent residency in federal programs,
Pathways to obtain permanent residency in provincial programs.
Pathways to obtain permanent residency in federal programs
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class is one of the methods for obtaining permanent residency in Canada that most international students choose after graduating in Canada. This method applies to applicants who have at least one year of work experience in Canada, and their job falls under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 in the Canadian job classification system.
Therefore, after graduation and obtaining a PGWP work visa, followed by gaining at least one year of work experience, you can apply for Canadian permanent residency through the CEC method. This program is a subset of the Express Entry system and is considered a federal immigration program.
Pathways to obtain permanent residency in provincial programs
Each province in Canada (except for Quebec, which has a different provincial system) has its own immigration programs known as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Below are the PNP methods suitable for students that lead to obtaining permanent residency in Canada:
Obtaining a job offer in provincial immigration programs – PNP
If you are married and your spouse accompanies you to study in Canada with an accompanying visa, it is possible to apply for permanent residency in a shorter time frame, and there is no need for your graduation and one year of work experience.
In this way, if your spouse receives a job offer from a Canadian employer in the province where you are located after entering Canada, they can apply for residency in Canada, and you, as their spouse, can simultaneously apply for permanent residency.
For example: Mohammad entered British Columbia with a student visa, and Sama entered with an open work permit. Sama found a job in the computer field after two weeks, which allowed them to immediately apply for permanent residency through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program under the skilled worker category, and after eight months, Mohammad and Sama received their residency cards.
Graduates of specific fields in Provincial Nominee Programs – PNP
In some provinces of Canada, such as British Columbia, there are educational fields that allow graduates to apply directly for permanent residency in Canada without needing a job offer or Canadian work experience.
For instance, in the province of British Columbia, if you study engineering at the master’s or doctoral level, you can apply for permanent residency through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program after graduation without needing work experience or a job offer.
Please note that not all provinces in Canada have this program, so having a proper understanding of the provincial PNP programs and the relevant fields in those provinces will enable you to reach permanent residency in Canada more quickly.
Quebec Immigration Programs
You surely know that Quebec has its own approach within the Canadian immigration system. However, for graduates of Quebec, there is a possibility to obtain permanent residency in Canada. One of the common methods for graduates in Quebec to obtain permanent residency is the PEQ program. One of the requirements for this program is having French language proficiency at the B2 level.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the validity of a Canadian study visa?
The validity of a Canadian student visa is usually equal to the length of the study program. However, at the time of issuing the visa label, the Canadian immigration officer determines its validity based on the passport’s expiration date. Therefore, be very careful that your passport’s expiration date is not shorter than the length of the study program.
Is providing insurance history mandatory for a Canadian student visa?
No, it is not mandatory, but providing it can strengthen the visa application.
What is the minimum GPA required for a Canadian study visa?
There is no minimum GPA requirement for obtaining a Canadian student visa, and officers do not consider GPA as a factor in evaluating the application. GPA is an important factor for obtaining academic admission.
Is obtaining a Canadian study visa free?
No, to obtain a Canadian student visa, you need to pay several fees, including the application processing fee at the Canadian immigration office, the biometrics fee, travel expenses to a second country for biometrics, document translation fees, language test fees, proof of financial support, and depending on the university, the university deposit fee. More information about the costs of a study visa is written in this article.
What is visa submission?
The process of filling out the online visa application, uploading documents, paying fees, and finally submitting the visa application online is called submission. The visa submission is completed in the last step by clicking on the “Submit” option.
Is artificial intelligence used in Canadian visa applications?
Is it possible to obtain a Canadian study visa from within Canada?
Can I travel to Iran while studying in Canada?
Yes. Of course, please note that upon your return, the officer may ask for documents proving that you are enrolled in your educational institution. Also, make sure that you have a valid return visa and study permit. The labeled visa in your passport is usually multiple-entry, which allows you to travel from Canada without restrictions.
What factors affect the visa outcome?
Your responsibility is to submit the best case to the immigration office. Certainly, submitting the best case to the immigration office cannot guarantee you a Canadian visa, but it is the minimum requirement. From this point onward, you must leave it to the officer. Since you are dealing with a human being and not a machine, human error is inevitable. You have probably seen or heard that in court, the type and model of behavior and personality of judges play a role in decision-making. Officers are not exempt from this either. We emphasize again that despite human error and the element of chance, it is the duty of every individual to present the best possible case to the immigration office because even in the event of a rejection, there is a possibility of pursuing the officer’s errors in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Do specific illnesses like MS impact the visa?
If a medical condition has a high treatment cost for Canada (over $26,220 annually), you will be considered medically inadmissible unless you can prove that you have the ability to cover your own medical expenses. In this case, if you have been rejected for medical reasons, we can defend the case in court.
Can paying tuition increase the chances of obtaining a visa?
Yes. This increases your chances of obtaining a student visa.
What assistance does a lawyer provide in obtaining a visa? Who are the official lawyers?
The role of a lawyer is to design a logical path based on the law. Having a lawyer is not mandatory for success in a fruitful case, but a good lawyer can prevent any wrong decisions in the case and present your best self to the immigration office. Naturally, the lawyer will plan and design decisions regarding where to apply to avoid issues later when obtaining residency, as well as how to present documents to the immigration office. Additionally, if the lawyer is legitimate, they will have the option to add a defense letter, which will be very effective in presenting you better to the immigration office.
Does having a Schengen visa and travel history affect obtaining a student visa?
The officer has asked me to pay my one-year university tuition. What should I do?
When such an update comes for you, you practically have no choice but to do this. Because it is likely that there was a specific case or it happened by chance, and this lottery has fallen to you. So pay the tuition fee so that there is no room for doubt or hesitation for the officer.
What are the questions asked by the Canadian embassy?
No questions are asked at the embassy for a Canadian study visa. There is practically no interview, and all decisions are based on the documents you have submitted.
How does the Canadian embassy verify documents?
There is no precise information available on this matter. Naturally, if the documents are verified by the Canadian embassy, they do not disclose the method. In recent years, we have observed that the immigration office sometimes contacts banks to ensure the validity of banking documents for the Canadian embassy. However, Iranian banks usually do not provide a clear response to the immigration office. Informed sources indicate that the Canadian immigration office is always in a state of progress in utilizing tools and robots to check documents.
Does Basij history impact the study visa?
Our experience has shown that membership in such organizations at lower levels does not affect the visa.
Do you guarantee that I will obtain a visa?
Is it possible to transfer my and my spouse's student and work visas?
There is one point regarding this matter. The spouse’s work visa depends on your student visa, and in fact, if your student visa is canceled, their work visa will also be canceled. Therefore, the first step that needs to be taken is to convert the spouse’s work visa to a student visa. We have previously carried out this process at RainCity, and there are no specific issues.
Is any specific document required for deferring university admission?
No, it does not require any specific document; you just need to request a deferment from the university, and how long it takes for the deferment to be processed depends on your university.
Should the documents have a court stamp or not?
The embassy is not sensitive about this issue, but it is better to stamp it.
Is health insurance mandatory for studying in Canada?
Yes. The applicant must be covered by health insurance. They must purchase insurance before applying for the visa or be able to prove financially that they can afford to buy health insurance.
When should I apply for a study visa?
As soon as you receive the acceptance letter from the university or school, apply for a student visa. A relatively long time will be spent processing your case.
How do I pay the application fee for the study visa?
The fees related to processing the visa application and the fingerprinting fee must be paid when submitting documents. In the online method, after logging into your account, use credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay) to pay the fees.
Will the application fees paid be refunded if the study visa application is rejected?
No, the fees paid to the embassy are non-refundable even if your application is rejected.
I want to study in Canada for less than 6 months. Do I need to obtain a study permit?
No, you do not need to obtain a study permit for courses shorter than 6 months. You must complete your studies within the allowed time for studying. Even if you do not need to obtain a study permit, it is recommended to apply for one so that you can work while studying or continue your education. To obtain a study permit, you must study at recognized educational institutions in Canada. If your main reason for immigrating to Canada is to study for more than 6 months, you must apply for a study permit.
I want to change my school or university and my study program. How can I change my study permit?
There is no need to change your study permit if you change your university and study program.
Can minors study in Canadian schools without a study permit?
In general, all individuals need to obtain a study permit to study in Canada. Only under the following conditions can individuals study in Canadian schools without a study permit:
One of the parents is a Canadian citizen or has permanent residency.
One of the parents has permission to study or work in Canada.
How much time do we have to enter Canada after the visa is issued?
Does taking a prerequisite course affect obtaining a Canadian study visa?
From the perspective that you demonstrate you are a genuine student, completing a prerequisite course in another country is a positive point, but there is no guarantee that if you complete this course, you will obtain a visa.
What are the chances of getting a visa to participate in a language course in Canada visa?
There is almost no chance of getting a visa. If you apply solely for a language course, you have a 99% chance of being rejected and only a 1% chance of success. Do not apply for a language course. If you only needed the prerequisite language course for university admission, then proceed with that.
For financial capability, is the currency calculated at the free market rate or the government rate?
Immigration officers are aware of the free currency exchange rates in Iran, and it is recommended to calculate your financial capability based on the free market rate.
How long must the money for demonstrating financial capability remain in the account?
Your financial capability must be such that you can prove the money is not borrowed, and proving this is more important. Financial capability can be presented for a period ranging from 1 month to 4 months.
Is it correct to present the first master's degree for a Canadian visa?
It depends on several factors: first, what method you plan to use to obtain residency in the future, which should be considered. Second, what your bachelor’s and master’s degrees are in, and what the master’s program you have been accepted into is. The third issue is how your work experience covers all these aspects. Additionally, your age and educational gap will all be taken into account to determine whether your master’s can be presented or not.
Is it correct to change the passport due to the expiration date being close at the request stage?
Once the passport request comes, changing the passport is no longer beneficial, and even if you do change it, the visa label in both the new and old passports does not matter. You can enter Canada with the same punched passport, but when the passport expires, it must be renewed.
Can someone other than the parents be a financial sponsor for a student visa?
Will changing marital status during the visa application process cause problems ?
No. As long as you report any changes to the case to the immigration office within 30 days, you will not have any problems.