Canada is one of the world’s top destinations for international students seeking to enroll in a higher institution to study their preferred course. Getting admitted into an institution in Canada, you must first meet up with the requirements needed as well as the eligibility criteria. As an international student admitted to study in Canada, there are also things you must do to enable you to gain access to Canada to study.
As a student, you might need to work in order to gain relevant work experience or make money to settle your bills, there are also conditions you must meet to achieve this. To study and work in Canada, you need to first get a Canadian study permit. With the study permit, you have the legal right to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. The Canadian study permit allows you to work both on-campus and off-campus for a maximum of 20 hrs per week without a work permit.
There are steps required to obtain a Canadian study permit, eligibility requirements as well as conditions you need to meet during your study time in Canada. This article will list the steps required to obtain a Canadian study permit as an international student and also the conditions to be met to work and study in Canada.
Requirements to Work and Study On-Campus
Some of the requirements to work on-campus as an international student include:
- You must have a valid study permit;
- You must have a Social Insurance Number;
- You must be a full-time student at a post-secondary public school, or at a private college-level school in Quebec operating under the same rules as a public school and is at least 50% funded by public grants, or at a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law.
Requirements to study and work off-campus
- You need to have a valid study permit;
- You have to be a full-time student in a DLI ( Designated Learning Institution);
- Your study program has to be academic, vocational, or professional. It has to last at least 6 months and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate;
- You are only allowed to work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full time during scheduled breaks.
Canada Work & Study Visa
As an international student, you can work and study in Canada if you have a valid study permit. To apply for a study permit, you need to first obtain an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution in Canada. Requirements to obtain a study permit include:
- An acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution in Canada.
- You must provide necessary documents showing that you have enough funds to cover the cost of tuition for your first year of study as well as your cost of living. If you are going with a family member, you will also provide documents showing that you can cover their cost of living for your first year of study. This fund can either be in your name or in the name of your family member or a close friend.
- You will need to provide a police verification certificate to prove that you have no criminal record. You will also need to provide a medical certificate proofing that you are in good health condition to undertake studies in Canada.
- You will be required to provide additional documents which may vary from country to country. Some of the documents required include a Valid passport, passport size photograph, English proficiency exam score, statement of purpose and others.
How to apply for a Canadian study visa
To apply for a Canadian Study permit, follow the steps below:
- The first step to obtaining your Study permit is to make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria required to obtain a Canadian study permit. Ensure that all your documents are intact.
- After preparing your documents and ensuring you meet all the eligibility requirements, you can then proceed to apply. The application can either be done online or in person. To apply online, you will need to scan your documents for uploading. You will also be required to provide a finger scan at the Visa Application Centre (VAC).
To apply in person you will have to complete the visa application and send it to the Visa Application Centre of your country.
- The next step is to fill out the VFS consent form and attach it to your application form.
- You will be required to pay a processing fee as well as other charges.
- Submit your application to the VAC of your country. If your application is approved, you will be given your study permit at the Canadian Port of Entry.
Please note that as an international student undertaking short-term studies with a duration of six months or less, you do not require a study permit. However, if it will take you longer to complete your program, you will have to obtain your study permit before the six months duration elapses.