Canada Student Visa Processing Time in 2024: Requirements, Fees, Application Process

 Here are three important updates related to the Canada study visa that came in January and April. 

• On January 23, 2024, Canada placed a two-year cap on new international student permits to alleviate the demand for housing and social services. According to the Immigration Ministry of Canada, around 364,000 international students will receive study permits in 2024. The government implemented a temporary cap and reduced permits by one-third.

• On April 5, 2024, Canada unveiled the NET Zero First Growth Model, which aims to maintain the number of study permits. According to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, a total of 485,000 Canadian student visas will be awarded in 2024. This figure represents the updated number of 364,000 approved study visas in 2024, based on the estimated number of study permits expiring this year.

• On April 30, 2024, international students will be able to work up to 24 hours a week off campus. Recently, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, stated that we want to increase the amount of hours students can work off campus each week to 24. This notice applies to all overseas students studying in Canada.

It is a non-immigrant visa for international students who want to pursue an academic degree in an overseas country. Study permit is the name given to Canada study visa, and with this, they can get an education at Designated Learning Institutes (DLI) in Canada.  

The following are the key aspects of canada international students visa eligibility criteria:

• You must pass as a fully vaccinated traveller. Some accepted vaccines are AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Bharat Biotech Covaxin, etc..

• You should be approved by a designated learning institute (DLI).

• You need to prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for your living expenses, the tuition fees for family members coming with you to Canada, and return transportation for yourself and any family members.

• You need to prove that you have no criminal record and a clean background. The candidate must provide a police verification certificate to confirm this.

• You need to have a health checkup and produce a medical certificate certifying that you are in good health.

• The IELTS requirement for a Canada student visa is to prove your English proficiency level. 

A student should have a tentative idea of the time a Canada student visa takes for complete approval. The standard Canada student visa processing time is approximately 7-9 weeks. Moreover, students commonly receive PPR in 20-30 days. However, the time may vary according to the number of applications submitted.

To meet the target, the Canadian embassy must process 80% of applications in certain weeks. However, the process may take longer for candidates if they make any mistakes. Moreover, candidates can check their application's estimated Canada study visa processing time by visiting the official website.

However, according to recent news updates, Canada has announced a two-year cap on new international student permits to ease housing and social services demand. According to the Immigration Ministry of Canada, around 364,000 international students will get study permits in 2024. The government has put a temporary cap and decreased permits by one-third.

Overall, the processing time for study and work visa according to January 2nd, 2024, is as follows:

• Study Permit Extension: Around 77 days; Study permit: approx 8-9 weeks 

• Work Visa: 13 Weeks

• Visitor Visa: 31 days.

• Super visa (parents and grandparents): 33 Days

Certain documents must be submitted to the embassy to apply for a Canada student visa. The candidate should ensure they apply as soon as they receive an acceptance letter from the university.

It is the first document that is presented to the embassy. Through this document, the candidate shows that the university has accepted his admission request. Thus, in order to study, they need a visa.

Every nation asks for a passport showing the aspirant's identity and proof that he is a resident of the declared country. A passport will have an expiry date. Hence, candidates should ensure that this date does not fall during their stay.

The immigration department checks whether candidates are financially stable enough to support their tuition and stay expenses. Earlier, a student needed to have a minimum bank balance of 10,000 CAD for a Canada student visa. However, according to the latest updates, effective from January 1, 2024, international students must have CAD 20,635 yearly as the minimum bank balance. 

Further, students need to prove that they have enough funds for a return fair as well, which can be shown by the various points given below:

• Minimum bank balance for Canada student visa and bank account in Canada (CAD 20,635). 

• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a cooperative Canadian financial organisation

• An education loan or a student loan

• The past 4 months' bank statement

• Bank draft (that should be adaptable to Canadian currency)

• Proof of paid housing and tuition fees

• Letter which proof that you have been provided with funds from a person or a college

• Provide proof of funding compensated from within Canada in the case of a scholarship or a Canadian-funded educational program.

A medical certificate showing the aspirant is medically fit is requested. Please note that your medical certificate should be valid at the time of arrival in Canada. Also, it is important to ensure that all the tests need to be done by any of the listed doctors.

Two passport-size photos are to be submitted if someone is applying offline. In the case of an online application, the size of the photo should not be more than 4 MB.

The photo should be clicked within 6 months of the application, and its size should be 35mm x 45 mm. The back side of the photo should have the name and DOB. No headscarf, with the exception of religious reasons. The photograph should be on a white background.

An SOP for a Canada study visa is mandatory, as it increases your chance of getting admission to your desired course. It is mainly a personal statement that encompasses details of your academic and professional journey, information about your career aspirations, and the reason behind choosing a particular course or place to study.

Exams like IELTS or TOEFL and others, as mentioned in universities’ admission guidelines, need to be submitted by the students for a Canada study visa.

• Type of application submitted to authorities

• Completion of information and evidence of all the necessary documents 

• visa authority receives a number of applications.

• In the case of the criminal record of the candidate, the visa processing time is either delayed or study visa approval is rejectd by authorities.

• Any travel ban imposed by the country

• Change in the political power

 Follow the steps mentioned below to apply for a Canada student visa:

• The processing time: For Indian students, the Canada student visa processing time is approximately 6 weeks, which does not include the time required for biometrics. You should visit the Canadian consulate website to learn when to process the student visa and track your application.

• Know how you will apply: there are two ways in which you can use: 

1. Apply offline - download the instruction set and read it carefully. This instruction guide has all the information regarding the study permits and steps to help you complete your application. You are allowed to apply offline only under 2 conditions:

• If you hold an identity or travel document for refugees, non-national residents or stateless persons

• If you have a disability that stops you from applying online

2. Apply online—You should have soft copies of all the documents to upload and apply quickly online and a working credit card for payment. However, you must still provide a fingerprint scan at the visa application centre.
   Remember that while applying online, you must visit the VFS office to hand in your passport and provide them with a confirmation form. You also need to pay embassy fees for a Canada student visa. The steps can only vary regarding documents you must carry to the Visa Application Centre.

3. At the entry Port - below are the following that you can apply at the entry port:

• US permanent resident

• Miquelon resident and Saint-Pierre

• Ukrainian nationals 

• Greenland resident

• US citizen

• You need VFS  form services for your visa filing process. To do this, you must fill out the VFS form and attach it to the application.

• Processing visa fees and all additional service charges must be paid when you submit the VFS, either online or offline. The processing fee is non-refundable under any conditions. 

• Suppose your partner/spouse, or friend is coming along with you, or you are applying for a work permit, temporary resident visa, or study permit. In that case, you must also pay the appropriate processing fee for them.

• Visit your nearest VFS office to provide your supporting documents and visa application. Once you complete the process of submitting your application and document, pay the processing fee. After that, you will get a receipt containing a unique tracking number, through which you can track your application online process.

• If your application is accepted, the government of Canada will notify you that it is requesting your passport. You can submit the passport request letter and the passport in person or through VFS. After that, you will be given a temporary resident visa and a letter of introduction.

All Canadian institutes admit students on a semester basis. According to our experts, the candidate should apply for a Canada student visa three months before the Fall intake. Thus, depending on your flexibility, you can choose your preferred semester.

The current Canada student visa fee is CAD 150, which can be paid online. Additionally, a biometric fee of CAD 85 also needs to be paid. Primarily, students can apply for the study permit online. 

Some common reasons for Canada study visa rejection are as follows:

• Financial History or Background: Students applying for a Canada Study Visa have to prove that they have adequate money to support their stay while studying. The embassy officials can only accept your application if they find that the candidate is financially strong enough to take care of their studies in Canada.

• Academic Performance: Every university or the Canadian government sets eligibility in terms of academic credits. If you do not fulfil the eligibility for academic credits, the chances of further processing your visa decrease.

• Letter of Acceptance: A Canadian student visa is applied for based on a letter of acceptance from the university. If you have not received the letter of acceptance, there is a high chance that your application will be rejected.

• IELTS or TOEFL Score: The visa application will be terminated unless the minimum required marks are obtained in the English proficiency test. Moreover, please note that the minimum IELTS and TOEFL scores vary according to the program chosen.

• No relevancy of the program

• Poorly written SOP 

In summary, Canada is an enticing study-abroad destination for international students due to the country’s top-quality education system, high visa approval rate and welcoming environment. Moreover, to study in Canada, it is essential to know the details of a Canada study visa, the required documents, the major reasons for canada student visa rejection, and the Canada student visa processing time in 2024. Further, it is crucial to understand that 7-9 weeks is the standard processing time for a Canada student visa, but this time can vary in accordance with the number of submitted applications. Furthermore, students must keep in mind the common reasons for student visa rejection mentioned in the blog to enhance their chances of successful visa application.

We hope the complete guide shared in the blog regarding Canada student visa and Canada student visa processing time offers valuable insights. However, if you are seeking more information on this topic or on how to study in Canada, contact our expert country counsellors at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). They’ll help you in every step of your study abroad journey. Visit our website for free online counselling, or contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011 for personalised support.

Question: Is there any fixed minimum amount required in the bank to deposit for the Canada study visa?

Answer: Yes, you need to pay the minimum bank balance of CAD 10,000 for living expenses in Canada.

Question: What can I show as evidence of funds for the Canadian student visa?

Answer: You can utilise a loan approval letter as evidence of funds for the Canadian student visa.

Question: What are some major Canada student visa requirements?

Answer: An acceptance letter from an accredited university in Canada, sufficient funds covering the cost of living in Canada and your tuition fee as well as English proficiency test scores are some of the major requirements for a Canada student visa. Other than this, medical results, letter of explanation, clean background and application fee payment also fall under mandatory student visa requirements in Canada.

Question: Am I allowed to study in Canada without a student visa?

Answer: No, you must apply for a Canada student visa to study or complete a course or degree there.

Question: Is it mandatory to provide proof of English language proficiency to obtain a Canada student visa?

Answer: You need to provide an IELTS, PTE or TOEFL score to show your English language proficiency if you are from a non-native English-speaking nation. Also, a minimum of 6.0 IELTS band score and 6.5 band score should be ensured while applying for an undergraduate and postgraduate degree, respectively.

Question: Does Canada provide a post-study work permit?

Answer: To be qualified for a post-study work permit in Canada, your course must be at least 8 months. If the course duration is less than 2 years, then your work permit will be for a period equivalent to the duration of your course. If your course is for two or more years, you might receive a three-year work permit.

Question: Does Canada allow part-time work for students?

Answer: students can work part-time in Canada for only 20 hours per week. However, colleges and universities suggest that students enrolled in demanding and challenging courses should work only 12 hours per week.

Question: What is the ideal period for renewal of study permit?

Answer: If your student visa in Canada expires before completing your studies (program), you need to apply for renewal of your study permit. Students should apply at least 30 days before their permit expires. Students can submit their applications through online or by mail.

Question: What is the process of getting a Canada study permit?

Answer: Carrying the Letter of Introduction and all the specified documents to Canada is necessary. You will meet the Immigration Officer at the airport. Show them your passport and the letter of introduction, and they will then verify the same and, if found adequate, issue you your study permit.

Question: What is the embassy fee for a Canada student visa?

Answer: According to the CIC or IRCC, Indian students must pay (CAD 150) INR 9,296 as the embassy fee for a Canada student visa.