Do you intend to apply to study in Canada as an international student, extend your study permit and find out about working while you study or after you graduate?
How we can help you study in Canada?
We can determine your eligibility to apply for the visa as well as advise you how you can prove you meet the requirements. Often, certain supporting documents and a detailed cover letter are required to demonstrate to the immigration officer that you should be granted a study permit. Front Immigration Services Inc will help you to navigate the entire application process from start to finish and more.
Get a Study Permit Faster: Student Direct Stream
- Fee is from 150
- Processing time usually 20 days
Depending on where you live, you may be able to get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
We try to process most SDS applications within 20 calendar days. However, some applications may take longer.
To get faster processing, you must:
• give your biometrics as soon as possible
• meet all the eligibility requirements
A study permit is not a visa and does not, by itself, allow you to travel to or enter Canada. You may also need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). If you do, we’ll issue your visitor visa or eTA with your study permit.
To be eligible for faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, you must:
• be a legal resident living in 1 of the following countries:
– China
– India
– Morocco
– Pakistan
– the Philippines
– Senegal
– Vietnam
• have an acceptance
• letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution
• prove that you’ve paid the tuition fees for your first year of study
• live outside of Canada when you apply
• have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000
• have a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion
– This is only if you’re planning to study in Quebec
• get a medical exam before you apply (if you need one)
• get a police certificate before you apply (if you need one)
• have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s)
• have a language test result that shows:
– a score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or
– a Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
Depending on where you’re applying from, you may also need to provide other documents. Make sure you include all the documents required by the visa office that processes your application.
You may be asked to give additional documents to support your application. In this situation, your application will take longer to process.
If you live anywhere other than 1 of the countries listed above (even if you’re a citizen of one of the countries above), you must apply through the regular study permit application process.
If you live in another country (even if you’re a citizen of one of the countries above), or if you don’t meet the eligibility for faster processing, you may still be eligible for a study permit through the regular study permit application process.
A GIC is a Canadian investment that has a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time. Many banks offer GICs. The bank that gives you the GIC must:
• confirm that you bought a GIC by giving you 1 of the following:
– a letter of attestation
– a GIC certificate
– an Investment Directions Confirmation or
– an Investment Balance Confirmation
• hold the GIC in an investment account or a student account that you can’t access until you arrive in Canada
• make you confirm your identity before they release any funds to you
• release the funds to you by providing:
– an initial lump sum once you identify yourself upon arrival in Canada
– the remainder of the funds in monthly or bi-monthly installments over 10 to 12 months
If your bank or GIC doesn’t meet these criteria, you won’t be able to apply through the Student Direct Stream.
Financial institutions that offer GICs
You can get a GIC from a financial institution listed on the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company website. Make sure the financial institution you choose offers a GIC and meets the criteria for the Student Direct Stream.
The following financial institutions offer GICs that meet the criteria:
• Bank of Beijing
• Bank of China
• Bank of Montreal
• Bank of Xian Co. Ltd.
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
• Desjardins
• Habib Canadian Bank
• HSBC Bank of Canada
• ICICI Bank
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
• RBC Royal Bank
• SBI Canada Bank
• Scotiabank
Depending on where you’re applying from, you may need to get a medical exam or police certificate. To get faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, you must include these with your application (if you need them). If you don’t, we won’t process your application faster.
Who needs a medical exam?
You may need to get a medical exam if:
• you lived or travelled in certain countries or territories for 6 or more months in the year before you come to Canada, or
• you plan on studying or working in:
– the health field
– primary or secondary education, or
– child or elder care
To get a medical exam, you must see a doctor that has been approved by IRCC.
Find out more about medical exams here.
Who needs a police certificate?
Your visa office instructions will tell you if you need to get a police certificate. You’ll find these instructions when you select your country of residence below. Make sure you read these instructions before you apply, so you know if you need a police certificate or any other documents to apply.
Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may also be able to get faster processing on a
• visitor visa
• work permit
• study permit
You must complete and submit their applications at the same time as your own. If you don’t, we will not process their applications faster. When you apply online, indicate that you have family members coming with you to Canada. This lets you complete their applications with yours.
Apply for a study permit through the Student Direct Stream
You must apply online to get faster processing for your study permit. There’s no paper application for the Student Direct Stream. Make sure you include all the required documents with your application.
Before you apply online, make sure you have the following:
• instruction guide to fill out your forms
• scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
• valid credit or debit card to make a payment
1. You need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics)
Once you pay your fees (including your biometrics fee) and submit your application, we’ll send you a letter that says you need to give your biometrics (if you need to). The letter will tell you how and where to do this. You need to bring this letter when you give your biometrics. You also need to bring your valid passport. You have up to 30 days to give your biometrics in person.
If you didn’t pay the biometrics fee, we’ll send you a letter asking you to do this first. You can only get the instruction letter if you pay the biometrics fee.
2. We process your study permit application
Once we receive your biometrics, we’ll be able to process your study permit application. We process most Student Direct Stream applications within 20 calendar days after we receive your biometrics, if you meet the eligibility.
If your application doesn’t meet the eligibility for the Student Direct Stream, we’ll review it as a regular study permit. You won’t get faster processing if this happens.
Find out how long it takes to process a regular study permit application.
We’ll send you:
• a letter of introduction
– This isn’t your study permit. You need to show this letter to the officer when you arrive in Canada.
• an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa (temporary resident visa), depending on which you need to enter Canada
If you need an eTA
Your letter of introduction will have information about it. Your eTA will be electronically linked to your passport and will be valid for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Make sure you travel with the passport you used to apply.
If you need a visitor visa
We’ll ask you to send your passport to the nearest visa office so we can attach your visa to it. Your visa will be in your passport and will show if you can enter Canada once or multiple times. You must enter Canada before your visa expires.
Getting your study permit
When you arrive at the port of entry, an officer will make sure you meet the requirements to enter Canada. If there are no problems, the officer will then print your study permit and give it to you. Make sure you have all the documents you need to enter Canada with you.
Find out what happens when you arrive in Canada and what your conditions are as an international student in Canada.
Your study permit is normally valid until the end of your school program. If your passport expires before the end of your study program, your permit will only be valid until your passport expiry date. If this happens, you’ll need to apply to extend your study permit once you have a new passport.
If you have questions or there’s a mistake on your study permit, ask the officer before you leave.
We’ll send you a letter explaining why you were refused. If you have questions, contact the office that sent the refusal letter.
We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:
• Visa®
• MasterCard®
• American Express®
• JCB®
• UnionPay® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)
If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards.
We also accept all Visa Debit cards. The card you use doesn’t have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.
Studying and working in Canada as an international student
Work while you study, help your spouse or common-law partner get a work permit while you study, work temporarily or stay permanently in Canada after you graduate as an international student.
Services and information
Work on campus
Who is eligible to work and where you can work?
Work off campus
Who can work off campus and how many hours you can work?
Work as a co–op student or intern
Who is eligible, how to apply, forms and fees
Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada
Who is eligible to work, how to apply, forms and fees?
Permanent Residence for Students
- Canadian Experience Class
- Student Direct Stream (SDS)
• I want to take language or prerequisite classes. Can I apply through the Student Direct Stream?
• Am I guaranteed a study permit if I apply through the Student Direct Stream?
• What happens to my Guaranteed Investment Certificate if you refuse my study permit application?
• I’m applying for a study permit through the Student Direct Stream. Can I bring my family with me?
• I’m an elementary or high school student. Can I apply through the Student Direct Stream?
There are also permanent residence pathways through various Provincial programs available to qualified candidates. Please explore with us.
Visitor Visas for Workers and Students: How to Apply from Inside Canada?
A work permit or study permit is not a visa.
We won’t automatically issue you a visitor visa if you extend your work or study permit. If you need a new visitor visa, you may need to submit a separate application.
You can apply for a visitor visa from inside Canada if you meet all the conditions below:
• you’re already in Canada
• you hold a valid study or work permit
• you want to leave and return to Canada in the near future
• your existing visitor visa is expired or was valid for only one entry
You should apply at least 2 months before you plan to leave Canada.
If you applied to extend your work or study permit online
If we approve your application, we send you a message in your online account and mail you your new work or study permit. You can apply for your visitor visa before your work or study permit arrives, but you must provide proof that your application has been approved, such as:
• a screenshot of your online approval
• your application number
• any other document that proves you have a valid and approved study or work permit extension
How do I Apply online for a new visitor visa?
You won’t get the right application form, unless you provide appropriate answers to questions contained in the online application platform.
To apply online, you also need an account which you will use to pay your fees and check your application status.
Can I Apply on paper for a new visitor visa?
Please note the following:
• You must fill out and sign your own form, even if you are travelling as part of a family. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your form.
• We will not refund your processing fee.
• Even if you send a complete application and all the needed supporting documents, you may not get a visa.
Be sure to send us all documents asked for. Missing information or documents can delay your application.
Pay your application fees
In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.
You must pay your fees online. If you have to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo), you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise, you may experience delays.
As of December 3, 2019, you can give your biometrics at designated Service Canada locations. Make sure you follow all the steps to give your biometrics.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
• your medical exam
• a police certificate
Submit your application
When you have filled out the application forms, make sure you:
• sign and date them, and
• include all documents and proof you paid the application fee in the envelope
Mailing instructions
• Buy two prepaid 24 x 32 cm Xpresspost–National envelopes at any Canada Post retail outlet.
• Put one envelope in the other envelope. We will use the second envelope to return your passport and other documents to you.
• Add the documents you are sending that support your application.
• Put your full mailing address in the “Deliver To” field and the Case Processing Centre–Ottawa post office box address in the “Return Address” field.
• Note the tracking number for each envelope.
• If you don’t send a second prepaid Xpresspost envelope, we’ll return your passport by regular mail. Our office is not responsible for items lost in the mail.
• We’ll only return your passport through regular mail or a prepaid Xpresspost envelope. (If you include a prepaid envelope from a private courier company, we won’t use it.)
• You cannot apply through the CPC-O office if you don’t live in Canada.
Send your package to: Case Processing Centre–Ottawa Office
You must meet some basic requirements to get a visitor visa. You must:
• have a valid travel document, like a passport
• be in good health
• have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
• convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
• convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
• have enough money for your stay
– The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.
You may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.
Some people are not allowed to enter Canada
Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:
• criminal activity
• human rights violations
• organized crime
You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons. Find out more about inadmissibility here.
Minor children travelling to Canada
Make sure you know what to do if your minor children (children under the age of 18) will be travelling with you, with someone else, or alone.
Why you should apply online
• No courier fees or mail delivery time – we get your application instantly.
• Online applications may be processed more quickly.
• Avoid processing delays. Incomplete applications are returned to you. Applying online helps ensure your application is complete before you submit it.
• If we need to ask for more documents, you can quickly submit them online.
• You don’t need to submit your passport until we ask for it.
• Get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.
Who can’t apply online for a visitor visa
You must apply on paper if you’re using one of the following travel documents from a visa-exempt country:
• alien’s passport for stateless persons
• other refugee travel document for non-citizens
Processing time (Varies by country)
You may need to give biometrics with your application. This processing time doesn’t include the time you need to give biometrics.
This is what will happen after you apply for a visitor visa:
You need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics)
In most cases, you need to give biometrics. After you pay the biometrics fee and submit your application, we’ll send you a letter that says you need to give your biometrics. The letter will tell you how and where to give your biometrics. You have up to 30 days to give your biometrics (in person).
If you didn’t pay the biometrics fee, we’ll send you a letter asking you to do this first. You can only get the instruction letter if you pay the biometrics fee.
• Ensuring your forms are complete and accurately reflect the details of your case for maximum chance of success.
• Ensuring you have the necessary and appropriate documents to support your application.
• Providing guidance on the best method to submit your application to the government for your circumstances.
• Advising the privileges, a Study Permit affords you.
• Offering Top Priority service for extremely urgent cases.
• Determining the best way to proceed once the outcome of your application is received (applying for a student work permit, renewing the study permit visa, re-application if necessary, etc)
Please contact us for a consultation to assist you with a study permit application.