A Step-by-Step Guide of How to Apply Online for a Student Visa to Canada by Yourself
A Step-by-Step guide of how to apply online for a Student Visa to Canada by yourself without using an agent. (This is for someone who is single & not married).
- Guidelines
- Links
- Required Documents & Forms
- What Makes A Strong Application & Common Rejection Issues.
To start with, this guide is for those who have been granted admission by an institution in Canada.
However, if you want to apply to a school in Canada, you can check these:
1. After you have received your acceptance letter from school, you should check if you need a study permit here: tiny.cc/qpn7gz
‘Apply for Study Permit’.
Most likely, the self assessment will indicate you are eligible & need to apply for a study permit. Then click on:
2.
‘Create An Account and Sign In.'
On the 'Apply for Study Permit' page you’d be asked two questions:
(a.) Where are you applying from? Answer: Outside Canada.
(b.) How do you want to apply? Answer: Online.
Then scroll down and click:
3. You should see this page after clicking 'Create An Account & Sign In': tiny.cc/l7n7gz
Voila! You now have an online profile with a required list of documents to submit.
Once there, click: ‘Sign in with GCKey’.
Create your Username, Password & Security Q&As.
4.
(a.) Application of a Study Permit made outside Canada. (IMM 1294)
Now gather your Documents.
The ‘FORMS’ you’d need are:
(b.) Application for a Temporary Resident Visa made outside Canada. (Optional)
(c.) Family Information Form (IMM 5645 or IMM 5707)
Here is a link to find all required forms: tiny.cc/j115gz
*Also, ensure to install the most recent version of Adobe Reader.
*It is best to:
- Download the forms first.
- Go to the 'download folder' in your computer.
- Open the forms from there.
Other Required Documents:
- Acceptance Letter from School
- International Passport
- Digital Passport Photograph (Canada Spec required)
***For Proof of Means of Financial Support, provide your sponsors statement of account as well as your own statement of account.
- Police Clearance Certificate, PCC (Optional)
The PCC is not a required document listed on the CIC study visa checklist.
However, in order to avoid delay in processing time in case they need it, I always advise to include it.
- Motivation/ Letter of Explanation
This is where you tell:
-A story unique to yourself.
-Who you are.
-What you presently do?
-Why study in Canada and not some other country?
-Why return to your country after study?
-Why the school?
-Why did you choose the course?
- A letter from Sponsor
Sponsor (preferably Dad/Mum) should write a letter of introduction.
It should include:
-How you are related.
-Why they want you to school in Canada.
-Importance of course.
-Financial capabilities available.
-Concrete confirmation that you’d return.
Most times, there will not be a designated section on your profile to upload any of the following additional/optional documents:
a.Police report
b.Sponsor Letter
c.Resume
d.Job Offer Letter
e.Job Promotion Letter
f.Job Confirmation Letter
g.Portfolio Information
In this case, use one of the PDF Mergers below to merge above documents in (a-g) to your Motivational Letter.
-PDF Merge
-PDFSam
-PDFbinder
-SmallPDF
If the PDF file is more than 4MB, use one of the following to compress the file:
-FreePDFConvert
-Pdf2Go
-SodaPDF
-PDF24
5.
6.
**Biometrics is done at VFS Office.
Double check all documents & forms to ensure they’ve been filled, signed and validated properly.
When you are sure all is good, then proceed to submit.
Application fee is:
- Study Permit: CAD150
- Biometrics Fee: CAD85
Total: CAD235.
7.
- Once you receive this letter, check the VFS website and book an appointment here: tiny.cc/hwo7gz
After submitting your application, you’d get a 'Biometrics Introduction Letter', which you’d take to the VFS Office for your biometrics.
Finally, work on these for a strong application:
Choice of Sponsor: Dad/ Mum usually most preferred sponsor. (Not uncle or aunt).
3.
4. No travel history: Even if it is Ghana, travel there. Just get your passport stamped.
Improper Documentation: Don't submit Document A for B or vice versa. No one has time to sort documents.
5. Not meeting health standard: Here is a link to health issues by CIC: tiny.cc/djv7gz
6. Possibility of overstaying: This is why you should submit a stron convincing motivational letter along side your sponsor's indicating you’d be returning after your study.
One thing to note is that once you receive a notification from CIC to go for a medical examination, just start getting your bags ready because the study permit is about to be approved.
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