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Study in Canada

Study in Canada—4-Step Guide for the Young International Student

A survey covering 10,000 young students from across the world and thrown up very predictable results. 25 percent of those surveyed chose Canada as their top foreign study destination. Ranked second is the US, which is the top choice for 20% of the students.

Canada has long surpassed the US as the preferred destination for international students and skilled workers alike. And it’s no longer possible to blame President Trump’s policies for the decline of the US.

There has been a clear and marked shift in the preferences of young students in countries like India, China, Vietnam, and other emerging economies. If you too want to study in Canada, then here is an actionable 4-step guide that will help you get on track to achieve your goal.

Comparing Universities and Getting an Acceptance Letter

The first task on hand is to finalize the university and college in which you want to study in Canada and get your application in at the earliest. Obviously, you must prepare a shortlist of options so that you have alternate colleges in hand in case you don’t get a positive response from your preferred college.

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This is key because you cannot apply for a study permit without an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institute. If you are required to submit language test results to get accepted, then make sure you choose a test that is approved for the purpose of approval of the study permit.

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Eligible for SDS?

Student Direct Stream is a fast-track route to the study permit. The eligibility requirements remain the same but those ready to complete the additional requirements under the SDS can get their permit within just 20 days.

Currently, 14 countries are included in the SDS list, and the most important requirements are-

  • IELTS score of 6.0 or higher for English or CLB 7 or higher score for French.
  • Purchase of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) for CAN$10,000 from a Canadian bank specified in the official SDS web page.

The GIC is like proof of financial solvency and this amount will be returned to the student before the end of the first year of the study course. So, you don’t pay anything extra to qualify for SDS.

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Ensuring Perfect Documentation

There is more to getting a study permit than simply having an acceptance letter and valid test results. The Immigration Office must be satisfied that you are eligible to study in Canada. Further, since this is a non-immigration permit, you must be in a position to prove that you will return to your home country after completing your degree.

You are free to explore ways to continue to stay in Canada, including applying for the Post Graduation Work Permit, other work permits under the IMP, work permits under the TFWP, or even direct permanent residence through Express Entry or any PNP stream.

However, there should not be any doubt or uncertainty about whether you will return home in the event you don’t qualify for the work permit or permanent residence.

This and other aspects of your eligibility will be assessed based on the documents submitted with your study permit application.

Another reason why documentation is very important is that even the smallest error can lead to processing delays. The pandemic has resulted in a huge backlog of work and study permit applications.

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The last thing you want is for your application to be delayed due to queries or requests for submission of additional documentation and information.

Work with an Immigration Professional

Is your DLI and the selected course eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit?

Does the province in which your college is located have a good PNP stream for international graduates?

How best can you gain the one-year experience required to qualify for FSWP and Express Entry?

What if you want to take a break in your studies? How does this affect your status?

When to apply for the PGWP? How to ensure you don’t lose status before your PGWP is approved?

You will have thousands of questions about the entire process, and not all the answers can be found on the Internet. Considering that your study permit is likely to be a steppingstone for a career in Canada, working with an immigration attorney will be a smart move that can help you avoid a lot of problems over the long run.

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