Canada Student Visa Requirements- Everything You Need to Know

If you are thinking about pursuing further education in Canada or sending your child to Canada for studies, then you must learn about the country's education system and the available options for international students.

Canadian provincial and territorial governments are responsible for framing their education system and adhering strictly to the quality and standards while developing curriculum. The country is known for imparting the highest quality of education at all levels.

You must know about the essential steps towards planning your education in Canada.

Assessing qualifications

Canadian schools and universities assess the qualifications and professional credentials of international students. Each college or university also has rules for transferring and evaluating academic credentials from the country where you studied.

A lot of Canadian colleges and universities may assess your credentials. While in other cases, you have to use an assessment service, i.e. fee-based, to get assistance with:

• Assessing credentials
• Translating documents or transcripts into English or French
• Obtaining original transcripts or documents from the country where you have studied

Study options

There are a plethora of options, including:

• Elementary and High school- If you are moving with your children, Canada has excellent primary, elemental, and international high school options.
• Language schools- After studying or working in Canada, you can upgrade your language skills by joining English or French schools.
• Colleges and vocational schools- You can get career-focused and highly practical learning at Canadian colleges and vocational schools that are a sure way towards success.
• Universities- Canada is home to the world's top universities and is undoubtedly a leader in research, which is said to change your life completely. You may explore and choose the best university and study program with the help of expert advisors.
• Graduate studies- There is an array of graduate programs available, like master's degrees and doctoral and PhD programs.
• Professional certifications- You can apply for professional certification in your area of expertise to discover endless career possibilities in Canada or any other country.
• Student exchange programs- You may also come to Canada and attend college or university via an exchange program.
• Online and distance learning- Canada offers one of the world's best online and distance learning options. You can study from the comfort of your home and get all the benefits of studying in Canada, i.e. high-quality education.

Pathway to Canadian colleges or universities

To enter any college or university in Canada, you have to compete your high school diploma first. Following post-secondary options are available in Canada:

University level:

• 3 years Bachelor’s degree
• 4 years Bachelor’s with Honours
• 1 to 2 years Master’s degree
• 3 to 5 years PhD or doctoral studies

College or University Level:

• 1 to 2 years Certificate
• 3 years Professional degree

College Level:

• 2 to 3 years Diploma

Provinces and territories

Country is divided into its provinces and territories and each has its own government. The Constitution gives the provinces authority over education. No matter where you choose to study, you can be sure about getting the best program and curriculum, and a degree, diploma or certificate which is recognized globally.

Country offers scholarships

International Education Strategy, Global Affairs Canada has recently announced the Study in Canada Scholarships program. This program aims at providing increased opportunities for post-secondary institutions to welcome more and more international students globally. Scholarships are generally funded by the Government and are awarded to students from different academic disciplines, for study programs of maximum two years.

Suppose you wish to apply for a Canada student visa from India. In that case, you must apply for admission to college or university and obtain an acceptance letter from a DLI (Designated Learning Institution). This document is a must to apply for Student Visa or Study permit following the below mentioned stepwise process:

• Check whether you need a Study Visa or not
• Start your application process upon receiving an acceptance letter from DLI
• Gather and submit required documents
• Meet the language requirements and provide a proof of English language proficiency, if doesn’t belong to an English-speaking nation (May take following accepted test, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English: Advanced)
• Wait till the processing time, i.e. approximately 5- 12 weeks
• Get a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction linked to a passport as soon as Student visa application is approved

To follow these steps with utmost accuracy and ensure approval on the first attempt, you may connect with visa and education advisors at Visas Avenue- one of India's leading study visa and immigration consultancy companies.