Any student willing to study abroad like in the U.S. will need to get a student visa to study at their desired school. It is an essential part in their application process. Similarly Canada also requires a student visa. However, besides a student visa Canada also requires a study permit to be completed before arriving in Canada.
Many students use the terms “student visa” and “study permit” interchangeably and infer they are the same application. Unfortunately they are completely different applications. Students will need to apply for BOTH a student visa and a study permit before coming to Canada.
What is the difference between the two?
Student visa – allows students to enter Canada only
Study permit – allows students to stay and study in Canada
Basically, a student visa is an authorization to enter Canada only. Unlike in the states where student only typically require a student visa to enter and study, Canada permits students only to enter the country on a student visa. Without the student visa the officer at the border or airport entry point can deny entry.
On the other hand a study permit includes details such why the student is entering Canada, their learning institution name, duration of the program and other information such as on/off campus work authorization.
The student visa is technically a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), either of which will allow the student to cross Canada’s borders. However, to get this student visa/visitor visa/eTA a student will first need to get a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Canadian DLI.
Upon receiving the LOA, the student will then need to apply for a study permit. Once the study permit is issued, the student can then submit an application at their Canadian visa office or their local Visa Facilitation Services Global (VFS) office. Once the student enters Canada with their student visa, the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) will sign and hand the study permit to the student.
Oversiis legal team has certified IRCC consultants, who can help students to prepare and apply for both their study permit and their student visa, either with their local Candian visa office or a local VFS office.
