Thread by @TundeTASH

If you are going to apply for a Study Visa to Canada after the lockdown, here's a Step-by-Step guide of how to apply online.

(For Singles / Married).

-Guidelines
-Links
-Cost Implication
-Required Documents & Forms
-What Makes A Strong Application
-Common Rejection.

Thread.

To start with, this guide is for those who have been granted admission by an institution in Canada.

Basically, you have an acceptance letter at hand and have been informed to apply for a study permit.

However, if you want to apply to a school in Canada, you can check these:

Rank of the cheapest schools in Canada: tiny.cc/xgl7gz

Schools that do not require GRE for PhD/ Masters: tiny.cc/qil7gz

A list of all schools in Canada: tiny.cc/rkl7gz

1. After you have received your acceptance letter from school, you should check if you need a study permit here: tiny.cc/qpn7gz

Most likely, the self assessment will indicate you are eligible & need to apply for a study permit.

Then click on: ‘Apply for Study Permit’.

2. On the 'Apply for Study Permit' page (tiny.cc/y4nkmz), scroll down. You’d be asked 2 questions:

(a.) Where are you applying from?

Answer: Outside Canada.

(b.) How do you want to apply?

Answer: Online.

Then scroll down and click: ‘Create An Account and Sign In.'

3. You should see this page after clicking 'Create An Account & Sign In': tiny.cc/l7n7gz

Click: ‘Register’ & select 'Register with GC Key.'

Create Username, Password & Security Q&As.

Voila! You now have online profile with required list of documents to submit.

4. Now gather your Documents.

The ‘FORMS’ you’d need are:

(a.) Application of a Study Permit made outside Canada. (IMM 1294)
(b.) Application for a Temporary Resident Visa made outside Canada.
(c.) Family Information Form (IMM 5645 or IMM 5707)

Here is a link to find all Canada immigration application forms: tiny.cc/j115gz

*It is best to:

- Download the forms first.
- Go to the 'download folder' in your computer.
- Open the forms from there.

*Also, ensure to install the most recent version of Adobe Reader.

Other Required Documents:

-School Acceptance Letter
-International Passport
-Digital Passport Photograph (Canada Spec)
-Marriage Certificate (For those married)

Canada digital passport spec: tiny.cc/c515gz

- Proof of Means of Financial Support (Statement of Account)

***For Proof of Means of Financial Support, provide your sponsors statement of account as well as your own statement of account. (Single)

**If married, same but include your spouse's as well.

Also, provide any other document that can support your financial dependency.

- Police Clearance Certificate, PCC (Optional)

The PCC is not a required document listed on the CIC study visa checklist.

However, in order to avoid delay in processing time in case they need it, I always advise to include it.

I mean, it’s just about N7K - 10K Naira (CAD~25)

- Motivation/ Letter of Explanation

This is where you tell:

-A story unique to yourself.
-Who you are.
-What you presently do?
-Why study in Canada and not some other country?
-Why return to your country after study?
-Why the school?
-Why did you choose the course?

- A letter from Sponsor

Sponsor (preferably Dad/Mum) should write a letter of introduction.

It should include:

-How you are related.
-Why they want you to school in Canada.
-Importance of course.
-Financial capabilities available.
-Concrete confirmation that you’d return.

Most times, there will not be a designated section on your profile to upload any of the following additional/optional documents:

a.Police report
b.Sponsor Letter
c.Resume
d.Job Offer, Promotion & Confirmation Letter
e.Portfolio Information
f. Marriage certificate & wedding pics

In this case, use one of the PDF Mergers below to merge above documents in (a-f) to your Motivational Letter.

-PDF Merge
-PDFSam
-PDFbinder
-SmallPDF

If the PDF file is more than 4MB, use one of the following to compress the file:

-FreePDFConvert
-Pdf2Go
-SodaPDF
-PDF24

5. Double check all documents & forms to ensure they’ve been filled, signed and validated properly.

6. When you are sure all is good, then proceed to submit.

Application fee is:

- Study Permit: CAD150
- Biometrics Fee: CAD85

Total: CAD235.

**Biometrics is done at VFS Office.

7. After submitting your application, you’d get a 'Biometrics Introduction Letter', which you’d take to the VFS Office for your biometrics.

- Once letter received, check VFS website to book appointment here (of course after lockdown): visa.vfsglobal.com

Finally, work on these for a strong application:

1. Choice of Sponsor: Dad/ Mum usually most preferred sponsor for singles. (Not uncle or aunt).

2. Insufficient Funds: Asides from tuition, you should show availability of CAD10,000 for every school year you’d spend in Canada.

3. Improper Documentation: Don't submit Document A for B or vice versa. No one has time to sort documents.

4. No travel history: Even if it is Ghana, travel there. Just get your passport stamped to get travel history.

5. For married, include all documents you have to confirm.

6. Not meeting health standard: Here is a link to health issues by CIC: tiny.cc/djv7gz

7. Possibility of overstaying: This is why you should submit a strong convincing motivational letter along side your sponsor's indicating you’d be returning after your study.

For married, once you get a Study Visa to come to Canada, you should submit an Open Work Permit application for your spouse.

Good thing is, your spouse does not have to write IELTS and they will be allowed to stay till the validity of your study visa.

Also, one thing to note is that once you get a notification from Canada Immigration to go for a medical examination, just start getting your bags ready because the study permit is about to be approved.

All the best.