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In Canada, Student Authorizations (student visas) are not
required for English language courses that last less than six months. If your
program will be longer than 6 months, you should apply for a Student
Authorization at the closest Canadian Embassy or Consulate before coming to
Canada. You cannot obtain a Student Authorization after arriving in Canada. You
must obtain it before you come to Canada.
One document you will need is a Letter of Acceptance from the school.Keep this
letter to apply for your Student Authorization at the visa office. People who
apply for programs of 24 weeks or longer are usually asked to complete medical
examinations. It sometimes takes two or three months for the Canadian government
to process a medical examination report before approving a Student
Authorization. If you cannot wait that long it is best to apply for a shorter
program. The Student Authorization can be extended after you come to Canada.
You must be able to convince the authorities that you genuinely want to come to
Canada to study, and that you will return to your home country when your studies
have been completed. You must also submit all of the correct documents.
Planning - Before you apply for your Student Authorization or visitor visa, you
must have: a valid passport, a Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian school,
proof that you have enough money to support yourself for your entire stay in
Canada.
Financial Support - You must be able to prove you can support yourself before a
Student Authorization may be issued. A letter from your bank in your country and
a written pledge of financial support from a parent will show immigration
officials that you can afford your expenses while you are in Canada. These
expenses include tuition, homestay, transportation, medical insurance, personal
needs and return trips home
Character Reference - To be accepted by Canadian officials, you must prove you
are a responsible person with no criminal record. You may be asked to provide
evidence of this through your local authorities.
Health Standards - You must be in good health. You may be asked for a medical
certificate if you have been living in a country with a high health risk.
Application - When you have all the letters and documents, you may apply for
your Student Authorization at the nearest Canadian consulate, embassy or high
commission. The Student Authorization allows you to study in Canada. Keep it in
your passport.
Interviews - You might be asked to see an immigration officer for an interview.
One purpose of the interview is to help the immigration officer evaluate you
personally. The immigration officer will want to confirm that you have enough
money to study in Canada, and that you will return to your home country when
your course is completed. Therefore, you should be well dressed, well groomed,
and on time when you go for your interview. You should behave in a positive and
polite manner, even if the immigration officer does not. You should never lie to
an immigration officer.
Fee - The application fee for a Student Authorization is CAN$125. You must
submit this with your application.
Passports and Visas - You will need a passport and perhaps a visa as well.
Canadian officials in your country can explain this to you before you leave. The
Canada Visitors Visa is affixed to a page of your passport. It tells you the
date you must arrive in Canada, the length of time you can stay and whether it
is valid for one or more entries into Canada. When you arrive in Canada, you
must show immigration officials your passport and visa. The passport will be
stamped with the date you must depart from Canada. Check that this date is valid
for your whole stay. If you need more time, ask someone at Language Studies
International to help you apply.
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