As one of the best countries in the world, Canada attracts thousands of international students every year. With the opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of Vancouver’s booming tech industry, or the beautiful wildlife in a small town on the East Coast, there’s a place here for everybody. There’s only one thing standing in your way? Obtaining a student visa (also known as a study permit).

You might be groaning at the thought of doing paperwork, but Canada has taken steps to streamline the study permit application process so it’s as simple and as speedy as possible. Even during COVID-19, Canada is accepting students to study at COVID-19-approved institutions. So, whether you’re ready to begin your educational journey ASAP or in a few months time, you can apply right now for your student visa.

At Tamwood, we accept hundreds of international students per year, so we’ve developed in-depth knowledge of the necessary steps to procuring study permits. Allow us to walk you through how to get a Canadian student visa in 2021 in 5 easy steps:

Step 1: Apply to Your Dream School

This is the fun part! Explore Canadian colleges and universities and select the location and program that feel right for you. Note that each institution will have a unique application process.

Not sure where to go? If you’re interested in Business, Hospitality and Tourism, or Digital Skills, Tamwood could be the perfect fit! You can browse our programs here.

Step 2: Double Check if You Need a Visa (You might be surprised!)

You don’t need a Canadian passport to be exempted from getting a student visa. Exceptions include enrolling in a program that takes under 6 months to complete, being a member of foreign armed forces from the Visiting Forces Act, having registered Indian status, and more.

To be 100% sure whether or not you need to apply for a study permit, use the Government of Canada’s official study permit tool. As a bonus, this tool will address other forms of paperwork that may be relevant to your stay, so it’s worth checking out!

Step 3:  Begin Your Study Permit Application  

You don’t need to begin your application until you’ve secured an acceptance letter from an institution. If you’ve already got this- congratulations! Now you can apply online for your Canadian student visa.

Step 4: Collect the Required Documentation

You will need to provide the acceptance letter, proof of sufficient financial resources, no criminal record, and health records, so make sure you have those handy. Sometimes it can take time to secure criminal and health records, so consider doing this proactively before you actually need it.

Step 5: Wait Patiently and Book Your Flights

It can take up to 3 months to process your application for a student visa, although there are circumstances in which your application may be expedited. If you’re interested in securing your visa faster, consider applying to the Student Direct Stream which averages a 20 day turnaround (although only for residents of specific countries).

Then, book your travel, brush up on the famous Canadian culture, start getting excited for your journey! If you’re visiting one of Tamwood’s campuses, we can’t wait to welcome you.

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