Occupying the northern half of the North American continent, Canada
is the world’s second biggest country. Known for its natural beauty –
few nations in the world can boast anything close to Canada’s wealth of
forests, lakes and mountains – it is also one of the most prosperous
nations in the world, despite the fact that the entire country’s
population is smaller than that of California alone.
Canada is not the world’s most expensive study destination,
particularly compared to its cousin south of the border. However, it’s
not the cheapest place to study either. The average fee for
international undergraduate students in 2010 was US$16,038 – a figure
which is likely to have gone up slightly in the years since then.
Universities set their own fees, so it might be worth shopping around if
cost is an issue. It will also vary by subject – humanities students
will tend to get off relatively easy, whereas engineering or medicine
students will be hit by higher fees.
When you’ve chosen your shortlist of universities, the next stage is
to get in touch with each university’s international office, who will
take you through the application procedure. You will need to apply
directly to the institution(s), as there is no centralized application
procedure as such.
In order to study in Canada, you will need to obtain a study permit,
which serves as a student visa for the duration of your stay.
The process for obtaining a study permit is as follows:
• You must first obtain a standardized letter of acceptance from a recognized higher education provider.
• Before you begin the process proper, Citizenship and Immigration
Canada (CIC) recommend that you check the processing times to see how
long it’ll take, which you can do on its website. Paper applications
take about twice as long as online ones.
• The next stage is to get an application package, either from the
CIC website or by contacting your local Canadian visa office. You may
also need to obtain a temporary residence permit if you are from a
designated country, but this will not complicate matters too much as
it’ll be processed at the same time as your study permit application.
• Unless you’re from the US, St. Pierre and Miquelon, or Greenland
(you will need to prove your citizenship), you will need to prove you
have a passport which allows you to return to your country of origin
after your course is complete. Two passport-sized pictures are also
required, with your name and date of birth written on the back.
• You’ll also have to prove you have enough money to support
yourself. At present this is deemed to be C$10,000 for every year of
your stay (C$11,000 if you’re living in Quebec) on top of your tuition
fees. To prove you have this money you can provide any of the following
proofs: four month’s worth of bank statements, evidence of a Canadian
account in your name if the money’s been transferred, a bank draft in a
convertible currency, proof of payment of tuition and accommodation
fees, a letter from a person or institution providing you with money, or
proof of funding paid from within Canada if you have a scholarship or
are undertaking a Canadian-funded program.
• You will need to pay an application fee of C$125. If you are
from a designated country, you will also be required to submit some
medical information.
• You will not be able to get a study permit if you have a
criminal record, and you must confirm that you will be leaving the
country afterwards (this will include having enough money to pay for
transportation back home), though, of course, you can apply to stay on
and work in Canada when you’re degree is over.
• You may have to attend an interview at your local visa office.
• Students studying in Quebec must also apply for a certificate of
acceptance, known as a CAQ, from the government of Quebec. You must
acquire this before you are permitted to apply for a study permit. You
can do this online, by printing out a form, or by requesting a paper
form from your university, who will also provide advice on this subject.
• If and when it’s decided you can study in Canada, you’ll receive
a letter of introduction, and a temporary residence visa if required.
Present these along with your passport, proof of your finances and your
letter of acceptance (and any other documents that you’ve been advised
to take) to the border control agency in Canada, who will then give you
your study permit.
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