Are you planning to study in Canada? Then you will need a travel authorisation. For stays of up to 6 months, an eTA is sufficient. For longer programmes, you need a study permit. However, due to the large influx of international students, Canada will issue fewer study permits in the future.
Explosive growth in the amount of international students
In recent years, the number of international students in Canada has exploded. The students are attracted by the relatively low tuition fees, the largely English-language study offer and the well-regarded educational institutions. Partly due to this enormous influx of students, Canada is facing a housing crisis. Moreover, some Canadian colleges are suspected of admitting as many international students as possible without properly checking their eligibility.
New requirements linked to the study permit
To keep the amount of students manageable, as per 22 January 2024, the maximum number of student visas issued has been set to 364,000 per year. This is 35% less than in 2023. The Canadian government is also trying to distribute international students more equally across the country. Provinces with a higher population are allowed to accept more international students than provinces with fewer inhabitants. Moreover, when applying for a study permit students must submit an official admission from the province where they want to study. These regulations will be in force for at least two years.
PhD students, students who wish to pursue a Master's degree in Canada, and primary or secondary school students are excluded from these regulations. Moreover, students who already had a valid study permit before 22 January 2024 will not be affected by this new legislation
How do I apply for a study permit?
The study permit for Canada is a visa that international students need to study in Canada longer than 6 months. You may apply for this student visa on the Canadian immigration department's website. Several documents are necessary for applying:
- a passport that is valid for at least as long as the planned stay;
- an admission letter from the educational institution to which the traveller will study;
- proof that the student has sufficient financial resources to pay for the stay;
- a statement from the authorities of the province where the traveller wishes to study (as of January 22, 2024). This statement must show that the student has permission to start a study in the province in question.
Additional documents may be requested by the Canadian Immigration Service. In addition, students are occasionally invited to an introductory meeting in the student's home country. Sometimes it is also requested to undergo a medical examination. In this way, the Canadian authorities can estimate whether the student in Canada will use many medical facilities. It is also possible that more information is requested about a possible criminal past of the student.
The eTA Canada
After all necessary documents have been submitted and any other agreements have been fulfilled, it takes about 9 weeks for the study permit to be issued. It is then possible to travel to Canada. By obtaining a study permit, eligible students also obtain a valid eTA. Students who are not eligible for the eTA will be granted a Canadian visa upon receiving their study permit.
The eTA for Canada is a digital travel document that is electronically linked to the passenger's passport. Most travelers with a passport not issued by Canada or America must have an eTA or visa before travelling to Canada.
Even if you are going to Canada for studying, you need an eTA or visa. It is easier to apply for an eTA, and the application can be submitted online. In the application form you must enter both your passport details and any information about your trip. On average, eTA applications are processed in 3 days. The eTA valid for 5 years. Morevoer, the eTA allows travellers to stay in Canada for up to 6 months per trip, and it is usually sufficient for holidays or short study programmes. For longer programmes, a study permit is always necessary.