Canada Study Visa Process

In order to apply Canadian study visa, you need to go through the following stages:

Applying for an Offer

The very first thing you need to do is to reach out to a college or university where you want to study for an offer letter. The college will examine you on the basis of their academic criteria (which usually include your grades, subjects of your last qualification, work experience, and the English language requirements). The cost of applying the offer and processing time vary from one institution to another. Once you receive the admission letter, you have to pay the tuition fee, and you are eligible to get your medical done.

Medical Examination

After receiving the offer letter, you are eligible to undergo a medical examination at a designated medical centre. You will need to book an appointment most likely in advance and get your medical done. The fee for booking an appointment is approximately INR 5,000. The report of your medical examination will be sent directly by the medical centre to the Canadian High Commission.

Payment of Tuition Fee

The next step along the process is the payment of your tuition fee within the time frame as stipulated on your offer letter. You have to pay the tuition fee for the first academic year, that is, first two semesters. The amount of fee varies from one college or university to another. The payment has to be made through the mode specified on your offer letter.

Opening a GIC

Once you receive the confirmation from the institute about the fee paid by you in the form of a fee payment receipt, you will need to open a GIC amounting to CAD $10,200. This amount is refundable later in instalments at regular intervals and is a form of security for your living expenses. The account can be opened in any of the following banks:

1. Scotia Bank
2. CIBC
3. ICICI Bank

Lodgement of Application

Once you receive your GIC certificate, you are ready to lodge your application at the IRCC. The fee for lodgement charged by the Canadian High Commission is CAD $235, which has to be paid at the time of lodgement. This amount includes the embassy fee of $150 and Biometric fee of $85.

After the lodgement of your application, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL), which means you can now book an appointment at the nearest VFS Global centres to get your biometrics done. After the biometrics is done all you need to do is to wait for the result. The processing time under normal circumstances is 45 days at the least.

The total cost of studying in Canada varies depending on the tuition fee of the particular college or university that you choose. Other costs such as the GIC amounting CAD $10,200, Embassy fee amounting CAD $235 remains the same.