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.
