It’s been a long wait since the setbacks COVID-19 placed on the admissions process across the globe including the Canada study permit.
Here’s an update on the processing times for the fall 2021 semester and the application process.
Study Permit Processing Before COVID-19
Applications for a study permit before the coronavirus pandemic many would consider being fair on international students. However, since the outbreak, there’s been a massive declination of the permit processing rates. Students looking to study in Canada had to wait months of silence from the study permit agency on the way forward to studying in the country. Before the “New Normal,” it only took applicants a few weeks to get their study permit processing going.
The global issue left the Canadian Education Board to tilt more in the direction of distance learning with all variations and conditions considered. After a few months of the pandemic, there might have been a few rumors on the annulations of study permit processing in Canada moving on. International students sure needed to study ahead of their post-secondary education in time from when things resumed to normal.
The Latest News on Study Permit Processing In 2021
Interestingly, the Government of Canada recently released a public statement guaranteeing international students processing times for their study permits for the upcoming academic session. This is a promising development compared to the silence of educational bodies with regards to the arising issue for months. Foreign students can now joy in the fact that their study permits would go through swift processing in preparation for the upcoming fall semester.
The announcement highlighted that qualified scholars that send in their completed study permit applications by May 15, 2021, would get feedback just in time to resume academic activities for fall 2021. Of course, the response from the government of Canada regarding a student’s study permit status determines their eligibility to study in the country. Now, international students can truly put a timeframe to the duration of their respective degrees in Canada.
With the government of Canada giving this assurance to foreign students, many now assume that the response should be prompt. Scholars need to be aware that the response might not come earlier than August 6, 2021. The government of Canada made it clear that due to COVID-19 restrictions, the usual study permit processing may take longer than usual or expected by the students. In the vein of this, all completely filled applications should be turned in for review before August 6.
Application Guide for Canada Study Permit 2021
The recent development by the government of Canada only comes with a little twist to the application process of study permits for foreign students. To increase your chances of approval during the review, ensure you have the necessary documents at hand before sending in your application. The first document every foreign student should have ready is a signed acceptance letter from a Distance Learning Institute in Canada.
The acceptance letter is proof that you are currently enrolled as an international student by a recognized DLI in Canada. Secondly, each applicant should have a valid travel document that proves that they are eligible to travel into the country. Lastly, and also one that strikes as a setback to most foreign scholars is documentation that proves they are capable of fending for themselves while in Canada. This financial protection should cover your academic years in Canada.
Since the last public statement from the government of Canada, there’s been a mandatory biometrics check for in-Canada scholars temporarily residing in the country. Other processes like immigration examination should be prepared ahead before submitting your application. All Quebec students should crosscheck that they have their official CAQ copy turned in for review before June 30. The certificates can be scanned and submitted via the online web form before June 30, 2021.
Online Applications for Canada Study Permit Made Easy
Applications for your study permit can be done completely online on the government of Canada website. The online application platform enables the immigration agency to receive thousands of requests at a time. Students can be rest assured that their applications are accepted and under review. With online submissions, students can get a real-time response on typographical or errors contradicting the documents from their DLI in Canada.
Students tend to benefit the most from online applications as it enables them to keep a track of their study permit status updates. For the best results, we suggest that every applicant monitors updates from the website to avoid staying in the dark on the permit processing. Applying online also allows you to update your application with additional or relevant information when requested. Subscribing to the newsletter on the website would ensure you get emails to follow up on the process.
What’s next After Submitting Your Application?
After your application has been successfully approved for review, there are a few other vital steps to take to ensure the validity of your study permit. Most local visa application centers aren’t fully operational due to COVID-19. As a result of this, students would have to take their biometrics using the temporary measures set in place by the government of Canada. Whilst your application is under review, you’d be prompted for an interview with Canadian officials in your country.
If needed, students may be asked to upload a police certificate and medical exam to verify their criminal status and current state of health respectively. In the case where a student changes location after submitting their application, the contact information must be updated pending review. All approved study permits are mailed to students already residing in any province in Canada. Alternatively, foreign students might have to wait till the port of entry to receive their study permits into Canada.
Students that applied outside Canada would get a temporary document titled “letter of introduction” as proof that they’ve been cleared for study in Canada. The border service officer needs this piece of documentation at the very least to clear your entry into Canada. Foreign candidates also get electronic travel authorization (ETA) which is linked with the travel document for the duration the student intends to study in Canada.
