Are you a Nigerian planning to apply for a student visa in Canada? This article providing guidance on securing a student visa in Canada could prove helpful.
Canada stands out as an excellent destination for furthering your education, boasting some of the world’s top institutions and colleges, alongside numerous attractive benefits for international students. It has increasingly become the preferred study-abroad choice for Nigerians.
Nigerians need a study visa to pursue their studies in Canada. When applying for this visa, it’s crucial to furnish accurate and comprehensive information. Any inaccuracies in your application could lead to its rejection by the Canadian embassy. This guide aims to assist you in correctly applying for a Canadian student visa from Nigeria.
What is a Canadian student visa?
Students studying in Canada for more than 6 months will need a Canadian student visa. A Canadian student visa is a temporary visa issued by the citizenship and immigration authorities to international students to study in Canada. Nigerian students cannot study in Canada without a valid student permit Canada. This is why you should apply for your student visa immediately after you receive your letter of acceptance from your university or college.
Who is eligible?
Before you apply for your Canadian study visa, ensure you meet the following criteria;
- You must have been accepted into a university or college in Canada.
- Proof of funds showing you have payment of your tuition fees and average living expenses for international students in Canada
- Applicants with no criminal record. You must present an official police report that shows you are a standard citizen with a clean background
- You need to do a health checkup to show that you have no health challenges and you’re in perfect condition to apply for a Nairaland Canada student visa in 2021
- Lastly, at your visa interview, you must convince your interviewer that you will return to your country when your student visa expires.
Documents Required for Canada Student Visa
You need the following Canada student visa requirements to apply for a student visa;
When applying for a Canada student visa, you must present a photocopy of the information page on your passport as a means of identification. The photocopy must include;
- Your passport number
- The issuance and expiry dates
- Your name, photo, date, and place of birth
Your passport must be valid throughout your study. For example, if you apply to study a 2-year master’s course, your passport should still be valid for at least 3-6 months after your graduation.
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Letter of acceptance from a designated learning Institution
A Designated Learning Institution(DLI) is an approved educational institution(college or university) in Canada that an international student intends to study.
You must provide a valid letter of acceptance from an approved institution (including but not limited to a DLI) in Canada. The letter should contain the following information;
- An official letterhead
- Total amount of tuition fee
- Anticipated starting and finishing date of the program
- Date you need to register
A study permit is an official document issued by Canadian immigration that allows foreign students to study in Canada. International students must apply for a study permit Canada before enrolling in a Designated Learning Institution(DLI).
The Canadian study permit for Nigerian students is valid for up to 3 months after your course duration. This gives you a chance to renew your visa after your study permit expires. If you want to stay in Canada after graduation, you need to apply for a different visa or visa renewal at the Canadian immigration office.
Canadian immigration student visa also allows international students to work for 20 hours per week and full-time during the holidays.
The following groups may not require a study permit to study in Canada.
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- Family of Foreign representatives
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- Members of foreign armed forces
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- Registered Indians in Canada
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- Temporary residents and asylum seekers taking French courses
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- Temporary residents taking settlements and integration courses.
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Photocopy of marriage license/certificate(if applicable)
Married applicants may need to provide a Photocopy of their marriage certificates. You can contact the Canadian visa application office in Nigeria for more information
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A Statement of Purpose(SOP)
Nigerian students are required to submit an essay stating the purpose of their visit to Canada. This allows the immigration officer to understand your reasons for pursuing an education in Canada. Your SOP must be clear and concise. It should include; why you want to study in Canada, why you have chosen the institution, and the values you can add as a student in Canada.
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Valid immigration medical exam results(IME)
International applicants from Nigeria may need to undergo a compulsory immigration medical exam to show that they have no underlying medical condition before moving to Canada for studies.
Applicants would be required to book an appointment with the approved physician or doctor for a medical examination(a week before application). The doctor will perform a full body checkup including a series of X-rays and fitness tests. Your results will be sent to the Canadian Immigration Centre(CIC) once it’s ready.
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English proficiency result
Although the Canadian immigration authorities do not require proof of English proficiency for Nigerian applicants, you may still need to provide a valid English proficiency exam result to apply to an institution in Canada. The following are the accepted English exams;
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- TOEFL
- IELTS
- Duolingo Test
- PTE
Applicants younger than 18 require a custodian who must provide a signed Custodian Declaration form with their application.
The form contains 2 pages, the applicant’s custodian in Canada must sign the first page and the second page must be signed by the applicant’s parents or legal guardian in Nigeria.
Applicants must also present an official police report stating that they have maintained a clean background with no involvement in criminal activities
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Proof of financial support
To apply for an international student visa in Canada, a minimum of CAD 10000 must be available in your account for every year of your study. Applicants traveling with another family member will need to provide an extra CAD 4000. This fund proves that you are capable of paying your tuition fees as well as all other living expenses. You might also need to show that you have enough funds to return to your country after the completion of your studies.
The following can be used as proof of funds;
- A personal Canadian bank account
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate(GIC) from an approved Canadian financial institution.
- A bank draft
- Evidence that you have paid your tuition and accommodation fee
- Student Loans
- Bank statements from the past 4 months
- Proof of Scholarship or financial aid from a Canadian-funded program, For scholarships, you need a letter from the institution that wants to fund your program
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Passport sized photograph
Students applying for an SDS visa in Canada online will be required to upload a digital copy of a recent photograph not larger than 4 MB. If you’ve opted for the offline application, you will need to provide 2 recent passport photographs to apply for a Canada student visa in Nairaland.
Note:
- The passport photograph must not be older than 6 months
- The passport must have a neutral facial expression with a plain background.
- Your name and date of birth should be written on the back of each photograph.
Check here for the complete visa application photograph specifications.
Student Permit Renewal
To study in Canada, your student immigration Canada permit should be valid till you complete your studies. However, in a situation where your permit expires before you graduate, you can apply for a renewal of your study permit. Applicants are given 30 days to apply before their current permit expires.
Also Read: 20 Cheapest Universities Abroad for Nigerian Students
How to Apply for a Canada Study Visa
There are two ways to apply for the Canada student visa 2021 in Nigeria; online or offline at the designated Visa Application Centre. It takes between 3-6 months to successfully process a Canadian student visa in Nigeria.
Here are the steps to follow to apply for a student visa;
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Check for Eligibility Criteria
Always ensure you meet the eligibility criteria before applying for a student visa to Canada from India. Find out if you are eligible to apply for a Canadian study visa here
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Gain Admission into a Canadian University
To apply for a study permit, you must secure admission to a Canadian institution because you will need to present your official acceptance letter to the immigration office.
Immediately after gaining admission into a Canadian University or college, you can start your Canada study visa application. Be sure to leave a little time for your visa application. We suggest that you apply at least 3-6 months before your classes
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Gather your supporting documents
The documents required for your short-term study visa in Canada have been listed above. Have them ready in advance to avoid any form of delay to your visa application process
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Complete the Visa Application and attach all required documents
There are two types of student visas for Canada applications. You can apply for your student visa without a Canada study visa in two ways, online or on paper, the online application is simple and hassle-free. Students applying online should have all their required documents ready to scan. The scanned documents should be clear and emailed correctly
If you choose to apply on paper, you will download the Canada student visa form and visit the visa application center to submit your application and supporting documents. Be sure that you fill in the correct information.
Start your online student visa application here
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Pay the Visa Application fee
Ideally, your Canada education visa application fee should include your visa processing fee and biometrics fee.
The following tables show the correct student visa Canada cost for Nigerian applicants
For a Student permit,
| Student Permit |
Amount |
| Application fee(per person) |
150 CAD |
For Biometrics,
| Biometrics fee |
Amount |
| Biometrics fee(per person) |
85 CAD |
| Biometrics fee(per family of 2 or more people) |
170 CAD |
Note: Fees are subject to change at any time and are nonrefundable no matter the Visa decision.
You need the following to pay your visa application fees;
- A mobile phone or laptop
- Stable internet access
- A valid email address
- Access to a printer
- A credit card or Debit Master card or Visa Debit card
For information on how to pay your application fees, click here.
You need to submit your biometrics and passport at an approved visa application center. There are two Canadian Visa Application centers in Nigeria located in Abuja and Lagos.
After submitting your visa application and supporting documents, you will be given a receipt containing a tracking number. You can use this number to track your visa application progress.
Canada student visa processing time usually takes 90 days, this may vary depending on the time you apply or several applicants at a time.
We advise that you apply for your student visa as soon as you get your acceptance letter from your university or college.
Work and study in Canada
International students who meet the following criteria may be eligible to work for 20 hours during school term and full-time during the holidays.
- Must have a valid student permit
- Must be a full-time student
- Must be studying a program of at least 6 months
- Must be enrolled in a program in an approved DLI in Canada
- Must be studying at a post-secondary level or
- Must be studying at a degree awarding level, diploma or certificate
Upon graduation, you may be able to temporarily work or live permanently in Canada. The Canadian government offers a Post Graduate Work Permit(PGWP) to international students. The work experience
you get during this period may help you qualify for a PR in Canada for Indian students.
Find out if you are eligible for PWGP
So you’ve completed your studies and maybe have some work experience in Canada. If you’d like to live permanently in Canada, you should become a permanent resident by applying for a pr in Canada after study.
Check your options to apply for your PR for students in Canada
Dependents
The student dependent visa Canada allows immediate family members of international students to come to Canada to visit, work, or study with a spouse visa Canada for students. The family members include; the spouse, conjugal partner, and dependent.
Biometrics collection
Your biometrics will be taken at a Canadian visa application center. To submit your biometrics, you must go in person to the visa application center nearest to you. If you’re applying for your visa on paper, we suggest that you submit your application together with your biometrics at the designated center.
Biometrics collection is not required for every visa applicant. Find out if you need to submit your biometrics.
Canadian Visa Application Centres in Nigeria
The Canadian Visa Application centers are authorized centers that accept and process student visa applications. They are responsible for sending your application to the Canada SDS visa office. They also collect your biometrics and help you return your passport and visa decision envelopes.
Nigeria has two Canadian Visa Application centers located in Abuja and Lagos. You can visit the official Canadian VAC website for Nigerians for more information on your visa application.
For Abuja- Visa Application Centre Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd-floor plot No 1083, Mohammadu Buhari way, Central Business District Abuja, Nigeria.
For Lagos- Visa Application Centre Ground Floor, The Manor Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Lekki Phase 1 Lagos Nigeria.
Conclusion
Follow the guidelines in this article, so you have a better chance of getting your Canadian visa approved on your first try.