Why Canada
The North American country Canada is not only known for its snow-clad peaks and ice hockey and a popular neighbor to the USA but also as a developed country where high-quality education is guaranteed. Canada now provides ample educational opportunities to Indian students.
There has been a mutual exchange of students and faculty of universities which serves the cause of higher education of both India and Canada. It is a well-known fact that Canadian Universities have been vying for Indian undergraduate (UG) students in a major way to pursue higher education in their country. Canadian universities consider India as the leading market to tap UG students.
The advantages of studying in Canada
Advanced Quality Education
The education quality in Canada is one of the major factors in attracting foreign students to their shores. Canada’s high academic standards and rigorous quality controls reflect the high-quality education provided which helps in a successful future and benefits one’s career in the long term.
Affordable Education
The unique advantage Canada enjoys is that while it is the western developed world, it offers education at comparatively less cost than its other western counterparts. Though the education costs may vary based on the courses, for most of the general courses, the tuition fees are less than other major countries. Paying the fees doesn’t become a burden for students.
Internationally recognized
A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is globally recognized as being equivalent to those obtained from the United States or Commonwealth countries. The University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Waterloo all feature in top 50 engineering and technology institutes in the world.
Long Term Advantage
There are major long-term benefits to studying in Canada as one would get points for permanent residency in Canada if they have graduated from a Canadian University.
Multicultural Society
Canada which has English and French as major languages offers almost all of the world’s ethnic groups and it’s hard not to find ethnic foods and recreation activities associated with specific cultures. The international student advisors at universities help students to get in touch with numerous ethnic clubs and associations along with their study. Canadians are also known for their friendliness and polite nature.
Campus Lifestyle
It is not all work and no play in Canada either. Canada’s post-secondary campuses are not only wired with the latest in sophisticated technology but also offer countless other modern amenities for the students to enjoy. From Olympic-quality sports facilities to public concert halls and art galleries, Canada’s post-secondary campuses offer enormous possibilities for learning and leisure.
Pioneering and Abundant Research Opportunities
Since research is one of the key components of a Canadian post-secondary education, one will have ample opportunities to become a part of this aspect of education. In Canada, both government and industry support research which includes all areas of telecommunications, medicine, agriculture, computer technology, and environmental science.
Possibility of Immigration
Another major attraction for Indian students is the possibility of immigration. After studies, people with Canadian credentials and Canadian work experience may apply for permanent residency without leaving Canada.
Reasonable expenses
Cost of living and study in Canada at all levels right from schooling to university is lower than the United States, Britain, Australia, and other countries. On comparing the standard of living and the high-quality education facilities that are provided in Canada with the other developed countries, we realize that students get all the benefits at a lower cost.
Canada is an international computer and information technology leader and enjoys an excellent reputation in communications, transportation, and engineering. Aviation, urban transport, microelectronics, medical devices, advanced software, hydroelectric and nuclear power, lasers and optoelectronics, biotechnology, food and beverage processing, geometrics and ocean and environmental industries are more prominent.
Career prospects:
In recent years, Canada’s foreign trade, marketing professional, commercial and financial expertise will continue to take the heat. The financial services industry is an important pillar of the Canadian economy, which employs 550,000 employees. In terms of employment for the majority of students, Canada provides a broad platform.
Scholarships offered by Canadian Government
- Canada Graduate Scholarships (Master)
Scholarships for high-caliber students engaged in master or doctoral programs in Canada.
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Scholarships for doctoral studies in health, sciences, engineering or humanities.
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Fellowships for postdoctoral studies in health, sciences, engineering or humanities.
- Natural sciences and engineering undergraduate awards
Awards available to undergraduate students in natural sciences and engineering.
- Natural sciences and engineering postgraduate awards
Awards available to master and doctoral students in natural sciences and engineering.
- Natural sciences and engineering postdoctoral awards
Awards for postdoctoral fellowships in natural sciences and engineering.
- Social sciences and humanities scholarships and fellowships
Funding programs for students and postdoctoral researchers in the social sciences and humanities.
- International scholarships for non-Canadians
Scholarships for international students who want to study in Canada.
- Aboriginal bursaries and scholarships search tool
More than 750 bursaries, scholarships, and incentives for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.
- International business scholarships
Scholarships for undergraduate studies in international business or business and environment/sustainability.
- International development graduate student awards
Funding awards for master’s, Ph.D. and post-doctoral work on international development challenges.
- L. Holmes Award for Post-Doctoral Studies
A research award for chemistry, physics, biology or mathematics relating to medical and biological processes.
- Dick Martin Scholarship Award
Scholarship for students in occupational health and safety studies.
Visa Procedure
The universities from Canada are preferred by more than 130,000 international students yearly. Offering a high-quality teaching system, Canada is also rich in possibilities and cultures. Research, scientific publications, and international collaborations are three of the aspects that Canada and its universities focus on.
But how difficult is it to get the student visa for Canada? Figuring this out will play a crucial role when figuring out where you want to study? So what do you have to do to get your student visa for Canada and how difficult is it to get it? Let’s see, what are the main steps for getting your Canadian student visa.
- Decide on a university to apply to and get your acceptance letter
If you’re still not sure where you want to study in Canada, you will have to decide before you can start your student visa application process. After being accepted at a Canadian university, you’ll get an acceptance letter required for the visa application.
- Check if you need a student visa for Canada
You don’t need a study visa (or study permit) for Canada if you are in one of the following situations:
- You are a family or staff member of a foreign representative in Canada, who is accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
- You enroll in a programme that lasts less than six months
- You are a member of foreign armed forces from the Visiting Forces Act
- You are a citizen of another country, but you have an Indian status registered in Canada
- However, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to Canada.
- Start your application for the Canadian student visa
As soon as you got the acceptance letter from the university, it is time to proceed to the next step: applying for a student visa, which is locally known as a student permit.
The first steps to obtain your student visa:
- Apply online for your Canadian student visa, on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website before you arrive in Canada;
- In countries with limited internet access it’s also possible to apply for a visa on paper;
- Provide an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (a university recognized by the Canadian government);
- Deliver proof of sufficient financial resources to support your studies in Canada (tuition fees and living expenses);
- Have no criminal record;
- Submit clinical records that state you are in good health and complete medical examinations if required.
- According to recent visa regulations, if you have a family member working or applying for a work permit in Canada, the application for your study permit will be processed in two weeks. You may renew or extend your study permit, if you wish to continue your studies or if your program has an extension or if you change your school. The study permit expires ninety days after your studies are finished when you receive a notification of the program completion.
Useful tip: check out if your country is on the list of biometrics requests for the study permit.
- Prepare all required documents for the student visa in Canada
- Completed application form;
- The original letter of acceptance from the university;
- A valid passport/travel document, which also allows you to return to your home country. If you live in the U.S.A., this is not necessary;
- Two recent passport-size photographs, with specifications of name and date of birth on the back;
- Proof of financial support during your studies that represent: tuition fee + 833 CAD/month (for all provinces, except Quebec) or tuition fee + 917 CAD/month (Quebec);
- A letter of explanation;
- If you intend to study in Quebec, you will also need a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec, English and French translations for your document, a statement from the translator and a certified copy of the original documents;
- Proof that you paid the study permit fee (150 CAD).
- Language requirements
Unless you come from an English-speaking country, Canadian universities will require you to submit proof of English language proficiency. Accepted language tests are:
- IELTS
- Cambridge English: Advanced
- TOEFL
Proof of your language skills is not included on the list of required documents for a Canadian student visa. But it is a good idea to have some proof of English ability, just in case.
- Biometrics appointment and interview
Depending on the requirements for your country, you might have to show up at a Visa Application Centre in your country to have your biometrics taken. The biometric fee is 85 CAD. This fee is in addition to the regular visa fee.
