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Choosing Canada for Studies: Things to Do
9 comments Posted almost 2 years ago by Anonymous
So finally, you made up your mind for higher studies in Canada but there are several aspects that are very important for every international student to consider before he/she chooses Canada for higher studies. This article will discuss most of important things that may facilitate and ease your stay in a foreign country while making it a healthy and rewarding experience.
Applying for a student visa
In order to study in Canada, you need to acquire a student authorisation or a student visa. However, in certain cases, such as for English language courses with terms less than six months, student visas are not required. If you are planning for a programme longer than six months, you have to apply for a Student Authorisation at the Canadian Embassy or Consulate near you before you come to Canada as it’s not possible to obtain a student visa after arriving in Canada.
The document required to get a student visa is a Letter of Acceptance from the institution you are going to join. Generally Canadian colleges send a Letter of Acceptance to their candidates, after they receive application form and requisite tuition fees.
If you apply for programs of duration six months or longer, you may be asked to complete medical examinations as well. Generally, Canadian government takes two to three months to process your medical examination report before they approve your student visa.
In addition, you have to convince the Canadian authorities that you will return after the completion of your study programme.
Requirements for Student Visa
In order to apply for a student visa, you must have following documents in place:
Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ): If you are attending a college in the province of Quebec, in addition to above, you need to apply for Quebec CAQ or Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec.
Proof of Financial Support
Before you get a Student Authorisation, you need to furnish documents that prove you can support your expenses for the entire term of your stay in Canada that include your tuition fee, living cost, medical insurance, transportation, etc. Following documents are required:
Character References: A character certificate from your local authorities that proves that you have no criminal record is also necessary to get student authorisation.
Medical Certificate: The Canadian embassy official may also ask for your medical certificate.
Once you have all of these letters and documents, you are ready to apply for your Student Authorisation. Apply at the Canadian embassy, consulate, or high commission near you. When you get your student visa, keep it in your passport document.
Interviews for Student Visa: It’s possible that an immigration officer will interview you. Usually, the immigration officer wants to evaluate you personally, whether you have enough money to stay and study in Canada, and whether you’re a genuine candidate and will return to your home country once you complete your course.
Passports and Visas: These are very important documents. The immigration officer at the Canadian embassy in your country may ask you for those. On your arrival in Canada, you have to show these documents to immigration officials.
In addition to the formalities you might have to furnish, you may need additional information about Canada as well.
Staying In Canada
Weather: All the international students should be familiar with Canadian climate before finally going there. Adjusting yourself to Canadian weather is not an easy task for first-timers, especially if you are from a humid and hot country.
The weather in Canada is cold and dry. The temperature ranges from 3 Celsius in January to about 17 Celsius in July-August. Therefore, prepare yourself for such a cold weather.
Medical Insurance: Only three out of 10 provinces in Canada provide medical services plan (MSP). Canadian medical services are very costly. Therefore, make it a point to purchase a medical insurance during your stay in Canada.
Factors Concerning Foreign Students
Qualifying: Once you choose your course, it’s necessary that you check your eligibility for that institute. If your application is accepted, they will send you a letter of acceptance. Most Canadian colleges and universities apply the following criteria:
b- Letters of Recommendation
Cost of Study: There are two components: Tuition cost and living cost.
Canada offers affordable education for international students. The average cost of an undergraduate programme may range from C$7000 to 12,000.
Accommodation: Canada offers affordable housing facilities to international students. Local communities are also very flexible as far as renting houses to international students is concerned. Besides, most of the institutes also assist students in accommodation arrangements.
Every overseas student seeking higher education in Canada needs to do his/her home work properly. Evaluating eligibility criteria, financial aspects, socio-cultural system, climate, and other factors and planning accordingly is very important. For instance, if you want a student visa quick, it’s better to apply for an academic programme with term less than six months. You may then extend your student visa after your arrival in Canada. Canadian embassies in certain countries ask students to enrol only in full-time courses before they can apply for student visas.
Applying for a student visa
In order to study in Canada, you need to acquire a student authorisation or a student visa. However, in certain cases, such as for English language courses with terms less than six months, student visas are not required. If you are planning for a programme longer than six months, you have to apply for a Student Authorisation at the Canadian Embassy or Consulate near you before you come to Canada as it’s not possible to obtain a student visa after arriving in Canada.
The document required to get a student visa is a Letter of Acceptance from the institution you are going to join. Generally Canadian colleges send a Letter of Acceptance to their candidates, after they receive application form and requisite tuition fees.
If you apply for programs of duration six months or longer, you may be asked to complete medical examinations as well. Generally, Canadian government takes two to three months to process your medical examination report before they approve your student visa.
In addition, you have to convince the Canadian authorities that you will return after the completion of your study programme.
Requirements for Student Visa
In order to apply for a student visa, you must have following documents in place:
- A valid passport
- A Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian college
- Proof of your financial ability to support your study and living costs.
- If you’re a sponsored candidate, a letter from the sponsoring organisation
- A medical clearance certificate
Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ): If you are attending a college in the province of Quebec, in addition to above, you need to apply for Quebec CAQ or Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec.
Proof of Financial Support
Before you get a Student Authorisation, you need to furnish documents that prove you can support your expenses for the entire term of your stay in Canada that include your tuition fee, living cost, medical insurance, transportation, etc. Following documents are required:
- A letter from your bank dated within the past four months
- A written pledge of financial support from a parent
- In case money has been transferred to Canada, proof of a Canadian bank account in your name
- A bank draft in exchangeable currency
- Proof of payment of tuition fees
- If you have a scholarship, proof of funding paid
Character References: A character certificate from your local authorities that proves that you have no criminal record is also necessary to get student authorisation.
Medical Certificate: The Canadian embassy official may also ask for your medical certificate.
Once you have all of these letters and documents, you are ready to apply for your Student Authorisation. Apply at the Canadian embassy, consulate, or high commission near you. When you get your student visa, keep it in your passport document.
Interviews for Student Visa: It’s possible that an immigration officer will interview you. Usually, the immigration officer wants to evaluate you personally, whether you have enough money to stay and study in Canada, and whether you’re a genuine candidate and will return to your home country once you complete your course.
Passports and Visas: These are very important documents. The immigration officer at the Canadian embassy in your country may ask you for those. On your arrival in Canada, you have to show these documents to immigration officials.
In addition to the formalities you might have to furnish, you may need additional information about Canada as well.
Staying In Canada
Weather: All the international students should be familiar with Canadian climate before finally going there. Adjusting yourself to Canadian weather is not an easy task for first-timers, especially if you are from a humid and hot country.
The weather in Canada is cold and dry. The temperature ranges from 3 Celsius in January to about 17 Celsius in July-August. Therefore, prepare yourself for such a cold weather.
Medical Insurance: Only three out of 10 provinces in Canada provide medical services plan (MSP). Canadian medical services are very costly. Therefore, make it a point to purchase a medical insurance during your stay in Canada.
Factors Concerning Foreign Students
Qualifying: Once you choose your course, it’s necessary that you check your eligibility for that institute. If your application is accepted, they will send you a letter of acceptance. Most Canadian colleges and universities apply the following criteria:
- 12th class passing grades: Generally most of the colleges accept B grades (or 65% marks in your qualifying exam).
- Proficiency in English language: It depends upon the nature of the course and the particular institute’s requirements. Most of them accept the following proficiency:
TOEFL: 550 to 600 or IELTS: 5+ - Others: Depending on the particular institute and the course, different institutes may ask for one or all of the following documents:
b- Letters of Recommendation
Cost of Study: There are two components: Tuition cost and living cost.
Canada offers affordable education for international students. The average cost of an undergraduate programme may range from C$7000 to 12,000.
Accommodation: Canada offers affordable housing facilities to international students. Local communities are also very flexible as far as renting houses to international students is concerned. Besides, most of the institutes also assist students in accommodation arrangements.
Every overseas student seeking higher education in Canada needs to do his/her home work properly. Evaluating eligibility criteria, financial aspects, socio-cultural system, climate, and other factors and planning accordingly is very important. For instance, if you want a student visa quick, it’s better to apply for an academic programme with term less than six months. You may then extend your student visa after your arrival in Canada. Canadian embassies in certain countries ask students to enrol only in full-time courses before they can apply for student visas.
Its totally usefull...Excellent!!!!!!!1
great article..
its very useful for students who want information
what about the graduate program?
you get what you want at a glance. excellent work. arvind
very much imfomative
yes really useful for those who are planning to move to canada for education... Sudhir
well what if i choose a study program less than six months .........how long can i stay there in canada?
good information for beginners, however, post worst case scenarios, such as, incase you've completed your B.Com with a PASS class, and is about 35-40 years of age with 10+ years of experience, are there any universities ready to accept such students? If yes, under what courses can these students apply? An MBA? or simply a Certificate course of 1 Year? Can such students work on campus? and also get a 1 year OBT? Are there any colleges that take students with a budget of Rs 10 lakhs (Indian Rupees)? which would cover both Tuition & Stay? Can a Family member accomodate the student in Canada as a dependant or any other possible way?
