FAQ's
You can only get a Canada student visa if you are enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). DLIs are schools or universities which are approved by the provincial or territorial government to allow them to host international students. All primary and secondary schools that are in Canada are by default DLIs;
A study permit or student visa is a temporary immigration document issued by the federal government of Canada that allows foreign nationals to study in the country. In order to come to Canada as an international student for programs lasting longer than 6 months, you are required to have a study permit. Also, study permits can only be issued to schools that are listed as Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) by the Government of Canada.
Individuals looking to study in Canada must have a letter of acceptance from the host school they intend to study in. This school must also be recognized as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) by the Government of Canada.
In order to obtain a valid study permit from the Government of Canada, applicants must: a)Receive a letter of acceptance from a host school recognized as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) by the Government of Canada. b)Have a valid passport or other authorized travel document c)Provide proof of adequate financial funds required to live and study in Canada (and all related student fees), support and pay for expenses of family members accompanying the primary applicant, and other associated costs. d) Not be medically or criminally inadmissible to Canada.
After you have completed your studies, you will have a 90 day grace period to either leave the country, extend your study permit, or apply for a different visa. A popular option among recent graduates is to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This open work permit visa allows international students to work anywhere in Canada in almost any field, and is open to all international students that have studied in a program or course that lasted at least 6 months. If you have Canadian work experience, you can also extend your time in Canada by applying to become a Canadian permanent resident.
The Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ – Certificat d’Acceptation du Quebec) is the immigration document required by international students looking to study in the province of Quebec. Quebec operates differently than the rest of Canada and requires that you go through a two-step process to obtain a study permit:
1. Firstly, international students apply directly to the Quebec government to obtain a valid CAQ. This immigration document acknowledges that the Quebec government has approved your request to study in the province as an international student. The application requires that you fill out a form detailing the program and school you intend to study in, basic information about yourself, passport numbers, and other relevant details.
2. Afterwards, like all other provinces and territories in Canada, you are then required to apply through the federal government to obtain your study permit. The federal government always makes the decision for whether or not to issue a study permit, taking into account medical and criminal inadmissibility.
Like all other provinces and territories in Canada, Quebec requires international students to obtain a study permit for programs lasting longer than 6 months. However, Quebec operates a little differently and requires applicants to go through a two step process.
Firstly, when you are accepted to your host institution in Quebec, you are required to apply directly to the Quebec government to obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ – certificat d’acceptation du Québec). This certificate is the immigration document that allows international students to study in Quebec.
If your CAQ application is approved, you are then allowed to apply to the federal government to obtain your study permit.
One of the requirements of studying in Canada as an international student is having overseas health insurance during your studies. If you do not have valid health insurance for the duration of your program, you may be denied a study permit.
Depending on your school, you may have to apply for a third-party overseas health insurance plan , or obtain it through the province
During the interview listen carefully to the interviewer and keep your responses short and to the point. And keep a calm and positive attitude; this will help you answer with confidence.
There are different types of qualifications offered by various institutions of Canada.
University: Students can apply for undergraduate degree, postgraduate certificate, diploma and degree, professional degrees and doctorate in universities of Canada.
University colleges: Programs offered by university colleges include diploma and university transfer programs.
Community colleges: Students can get certificate, diploma, associate degree, undergraduate degree and postgraduate diploma in community colleges.
Career and technical colleges: Certificate and diploma offered for technical education.
Undergraduate Courses in Colleges and Universities in Canada are for 3 or 4 years. Most of the Masters Courses in Universities in Canada are for 2 years. PG Diploma Courses in Universities and Colleges in Canada can be for 1 or 2 years. Most of the Courses in Universities and Colleges in Canada have Co-op work placement as part of the curriculum.
In Canada, a Postgraduate Diploma, also known as a Graduate Diploma, is offered to students who have completed their undergraduate studies. While a Master’s Programme is generally of 2-3 years duration, on the other hand, A PG Diploma’s duration is of 1-2 years (maximum). It can be further divided into two or four semesters depending on the university.
It is undergraduate degree. After you have completed your higher secondary (Class XII) education, you are supposed to pursue an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate programs are generally of 3-4 year duration, whereas, undergraduate diplomas have a duration of 6 months to 1 year depending upon the university. An undergraduate diploma is equivalent to two-thirds of an honours degree.
Postgraduate diplomas and certificates are usually less expensive when compared to a regular Master’s degree.
Master’s programmes normally take 2 years (or more) to complete, which is longer when compared to graduate diplomas/certificates, which take less than 1 year.
While Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees are usually focused on academic knowledge, graduate diplomas and certificates aim to quickly develop the practical skills of students.
The number of courses, credits, and student workload is lower for postgraduate certificates and diplomas.
Enrolling in a graduate diploma/certificate allows you to maintain a flexible schedule and take on other commitments, like a part or full-time job.
A graduate (or postgraduate) diploma is a qualification, usually vocational, that focuses on acquiring a specific skillset and practical knowledge in a chosen field. In simpler terms, students who opt for a graduate diploma are interested in quickly gaining more practical skills for potential employers.
A graduate diploma usually takes one year to complete (or two years if you choose to study part-time) and many programmes offer direct entry to a Master’s degree course at the same university or partner universities
A postgraduate certificate (also called a professional certificate) is an educational credential that provides students advanced skills in a specific area of specialisation. Basically, a postgraduate certificate gives you the eligibility to practise a profession.
They are both focused on helping students develop practical skills in a certain field. They are an option for students who consider a change in their career path. They are both less expensive and require less time to complete, compared to a Master’s programme.
Unlike postgraduate certificates, for some professions, a graduate diploma is a mandatory credential, a license that gives professionals more credibility.
Graduate diplomas can be equivalent to a Master’s qualification, unlike postgraduate certificates.
Canada consists of 13 political divisions: 10 provinces and 3 territories. The territories are Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.
The major difference between a Canadian province and a Canadian territory is that a province is a creation of the Constitution Act (17 April 1982), while a territory is created by federal law. Thus, the federal government has more direct control over the territories, while provincial governments have many more competences and rights.
Each province and territory has its own capital city.
Canadian colleges are either publicly funded or private post-secondary institutions (run for profit).
In terms of academic pathways, Canadian colleges and universities collaborate with each other with the purpose of providing college students the opportunity to academically upgrade their education. Students can transfer their diplomas and earn transfer credits through their completed college credits towards undergraduate university degrees.
Colleges and Institutes Canada – publicly funded educational institutions; formerly the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)
National Association of Career Colleges – privately funded educational institutions; formerly the Association of Canadian Career Colleges
IT IS (Guaranteed Investment Certificate). The Canadian government needs an assurance that once you land in Canada, you have sufficient funds (at least C$10,000) to cover your living expenses in Canada for one year, and to do so, students need to purchase a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate). GIC or Guaranteed Investment Certificate is a short-term liquid investment for a period of one year offered by Canadian banks with a guaranteed rate of return. It is for Indian students who aspire to study in the SPP (Student Partners Program) colleges in Canada.
It serves as a symbol of surety/guarantee to the Canadian government that you have sufficient funds to take care of your living expenses for a period of one year in Canada.
It is needed for easy and quick Canadian visa/study permit application and processing. To gain Canadian study permit/visa, students need to submit a proof of sufficient funds. A GIC of C$10,000 from an approved Canadian bank acts an evidence of funds for your Canadian study permit/visa.
GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) can be purchased from ICICI Bank Canada and Scotiabank.
The GIC application process is simple and straight-forward.
Step 1: Register for bank secured email service. Step 2: Submit the Student GIC Program Application. Step 3: Fund your account. Step 4: Apply for Study Permit/Visa. Step 5: Complete the documentation formalities in Canada