Lakehead University is Dynamic, modern, and highly learner-centered both campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia promise the total university experience: a blend of academic excellence and opportunity with a rich variety of social and recreational activities.
Student Visa requirements for Canada
The Canadian Government provides the opportunity to all students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a Study Permit and a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
What is a study permit?
This is not a visa, it’s a permit or a document issued by the Citizen and Immigration (CIC) which allows you to study in Canada. If you hold a study permit, you must remain enrolled and make reasonable and timely progress towards completing your course.
Your study permit is always accompanied along with a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Please note that a study permit is a document that allows you to study in Canada while a visitor visa or ETA allows you to enter Canada. Your counselor will help you access the latest information and connect you with authorised migration experts.
Documents required for your study permit
To apply for your Canada study permit, you will need:
- An acceptance letter from your education institution, and
- A valid passport or travel document
- Proof that you can support yourself or any family members who might accompany you, while you’re in Canada
You must also:
- Prove that you have enough money to pay for your:
- tuition fees
- living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada, and
- return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
- Be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada (you may have to provide a police certificate)
- Be in good health (you may need to complete a medical exam)
You will also be required to appear for a personal interview at the Canadian embassy or consulate.
To prove you can financially support yourself and any accompanying family members, you may be asked to provide:
- Documentation of a Canadian bank account in your name, if money has been transferred to Canada
- Documentation of a student/education loan from a financial institution
- Bank statements
- A bank draft in convertible currency
- Proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees
- A letter for the person or institution providing your funding
- Proof of funding paid from within Canada if you have a scholarship or are enrolled in a Canadian-funded educational program
Student Direct Stream
Students applying to universities and colleges in Canada can now expect faster visa processing through the Study Direct Stream (SDS) program launched by the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada. Unlike the usual visa processing that may take up to 2-3 months, SDS allows students from India to avail of their visas in 4-6 weeks. However, if you choose to apply through SDS, you may need certain additional documents.
Study permit fee
As an applicant from outside Canada, you will have to pay CAD150 as your visa fee.
English language requirements
To gain your Canadian visa, you’ll have to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This usually means passing a secure English language test to be able to prove your communication and correspondence skills.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular high-stakes English language proficiency test for study, work, and migration, with more than three million tests taken in the past year. The IELTS results are recognized by more than 10,000 organisations, including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments, in 140 countries around the world.
If you want to pursue your undergraduate degree in Canada, then you require a minimum of 6.0 band in your IELTS with no band less than 5.5 and similarly, for a post-graduate degree, you require to score 6.5 band with no band less than 6.0.
You can always contact us for a free counselling session and we can guide you on how to go about the entire visa application process.