Visa Procedures

Guide to Canadian Visa Procedures

The Canadian Government welcomes Sri Lankan students with multiple opportunities to study in Canada. To do so, you must have a Study Permit along with a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV.

What Is a Study Permit and How Is It Different From a Visa?

A Visa is a document that allows the Visa holder to enter a particular country, stay with or leave the country. However, a Study Permit is an official document granted by Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC), allowing you to study in the country.

If you obtain a Study Permit, you surely must be enrolled in a course as well as progress towards the completion of the course in a timely manner. Your Study Permit will be accompanied by a Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Thus, your ETA will authorize you to enter and stay in Canada and your Study Permit will authorize you to study in Canada.

To Apply for a Study Permit, You Will Need the Following Documents:

An acceptance letter from the university or college (An acceptance letter is different from an offer letter)
A valid passport or a travel document
Proof that you have enough money (for tuition fee, living expenditure and return transportation) to support yourself in Canada along with family members who may accompany you
- Records of a Canadian bank account in your name in case your money has been transferred to Canada
- Proof of an educational loan from a financial foundation
- Bank statement
- A bank draft in convertible currency
- Receipt of payment of tuition fee and accommodation fee
- A letter for the person/institution providing your funding
- Proof of funding from within Canada in case you hold a scholarship or are enrolled in a Canadian-funded course
Police certificate to ensure you are a respectful and law-abiding citizen with no criminal record (if required)
Medical exam certification to ensure you are in good health (if required)

Note – The above-mentioned documents are basic requirements, obtain the detailed list from our team at HECS.

Online Visa Application

You can use the official website of CIC to apply for your Student Visa online. Online mode of application is now convenient as it is instant and reduces the time of physical mail delivery. You can apply up to 3 months before the planned date of your travel.

Other benefits of online application are:

The process of your application will be speeded up
You will be able to identify if your process is incomplete
The status of your application will be notified via mails
Submission of documents or upload of documents is fast and simple

You will be required to pay the application fee to process it. And the date of your application is the date when you pay your application fee. Later, you will be needed to attend a personal interview at the Canadian embassy or consulate in your home country of Sri Lanka.