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Episode 6: Student Visas and Study Permits for Canada and the US

Podcast posted on by Evelyn Ackah in Study Permits and Student Visas

Episode 6: Student Visas and Study Permits for Canada and the US

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Show Notes:

Canada Study Permit

International students who want to attend school in Canada for over 6 months must get a Study Permit. This document allows students to enter Canada, get a visa and an electronic travel authorization and start their academic life in Canada.

Some short-term programs that are less than 6 months only require a visa and an eTA. All degreed programs or certificate programs require a Study Permit.

To qualify for a Study Permit, the most important things are that you must be accepted into the academic program in advance, and it must be a designated learning institute. A DLI is an approved school for immigration, you want to be very careful that your school is eligible for a Study Permit as approved by IRCC.

There are two choices to apply for a Study Permit:

  • You can apply online
  • You can apply by mail

You must be able to show IRCC:

  • You have been accepted by a DLI
  • You can afford to live in Canada during your studies
  • You can pay for your academic studies or have received a scholarship or academic aid
  • You are in good health
  • There is no criminality in your background that will prevent you from entering Canada
  • You can pay for all application fees, biometric fees and medical fees
  • You meet language requirements

Canada wants to keep foreign students who are educated in Canada as permanent residents and potential citizens to help grow our economy. Canada Study Permits allows qualified students to work up to 20 hours per week while in school, or full-time during school breaks.

If you are bringing a spouse with you while you are in school, your spouse may be able to work while you are living in Canada.

Canada's Student Direct Stream is an expedited process for students from Pakistan, China, India, the Philippines or Vietnam. Study Permit applicants from other countries go through the normal application stream.

If your application to study in Canada is denied, it can be much harder to reapply for a Study Permit in the future. You want to be sure your family who is accompanying you to study in Canada is approved to immigrate. We recommend you work with an experienced immigration lawyer or consultant so that your application is approved.

United States F-1 Visa

If you will be entering the United States with the intention to attend a high school, private elementary school, university or college, conservatory, seminary, or "another academic institution, including a language training program" you will need the F-1 visa.

Contact Ackah Law today at (403) 452-9515 Ext. 100 or 1-800-932-1190 or email us directly for assistance with applying for a Study Permit or Student Visa.

Free Download: How to Get A Study Permit to Attend University in Canada

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Evelyn L. Ackah, BA, LL.B.

Founder/Managing Lawyer

Ms. Ackah is passionate about immigration law because it focuses on people and relationships, which are at the core of her personal values. Starting her legal career as a corporate/commercial ...

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It is hard enough in the normal course of business to obtain permanent resident status in Canada. Imagine the difficulty in gaining that status with a 36 year old developmentally disabled daughter. That was our experience. My husband had been recruited for the C.E.O. position at the Calgary Public Library. Even the process to obtain temporary work permits for all three of our family members took some time and effort. The Ackah Firm was with us every step of the way. They gave us good advice, managed the paperwork and kept my husband’s employer informed. They were also proactive by insisting that we get on with the process of permanent residency in a timely fashion. Again their experience and knowledge paid off. They utilized other legal expertise to make a case that our daughter would not be a burden to the Country or the Province. They were respectful of our point of view that despite her disabilities she had always been an active and engaged member of the community. We were pleased that permanent residence for parents and child came through fully six months before the temporary status expired.

– Margaret and Bill Ptacek

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