As the start of the school year approaches, we are receiving more and more questions from our clients about how to fast-track a Canadian study permit application. The processing time for study permits varies from 2 weeks to 3 months, depending on which country you submit your application from. As such, we recommend allowing anywhere from one to four months to submit your application.
For our clients who need a study permit faster due to the imminent expiration of their current status, we suggest looking at the Student Direct Stream. In the Student Direct Stream, eligible international students get faster processing for study permits. The processing time can be as little as 20 calendar days.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE STUDENT DIRECT STREAM?
To be eligible for faster processing, applicants must meet the following requirements:
be a legal resident living in:
• Pakistan (as of July 26th, 2019)
• China
• India
• the Philippines, or
• Vietnam
Have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI)
Prove that you’ve paid the tuition fees for your first year of study
Live outside of Canada when you apply
Have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000 CAD
Have a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion, if you’re planning to study in Quebec
Get a medical exam before you apply (if needed)
Get a police certificate before you apply (if needed)
Have a language test result that shows
• A score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) for IELTS
• A TEF score that is equal to a CLB score of 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
HOW TO APPLY TO THE STUDENT DIRECT STREAM
There is no paper application available for the Student Direct Stream, so you must apply online. Before you submit your application, make sure you have:
The Instruction Guide to fill out your forms
A scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
A valid credit or debit card to pay with
To get the application instructions, you must select the country from which you are applying. After you submit your application, you need to give your biometrics and pay the biometrics fee.
Then, your application will enter the processing phase, which takes approximately 20 days to complete.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive a letter of introduction and either an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a Visitor Visa (temporary resident visa), depending on what you require to enter Canada.
HOW TO GET FASTER PROCESSING IF YOU’RE INELIGIBLE FOR THE STUDENT DIRECT STREAM
If you are ineligible for the Student Direct Stream, we recommend following a few key steps to ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible.
Submit your application online or at a Visa Application Centre.
Submit your application as early as possible. If you are applying from a country with a slower visa office, it’s best to allow as much time as possible for your application to be processed.
Include all the information IRCC asks for. Refer to the document checklist and be sure to submit every piece of required information to avoid delays in processing.
Inform IRCC of any changes to the personal information listed on your application. Update your information with IRCC as needed (i.e. your name, address, contact information, family situation, etc.).
Get your medical exam and your police clearance as soon as possible. Avoid delays and get your medical exam done and collect a police certificate prior to submitting your application. You can submit the results with your application to save time.
Provide clear and legible photocopies and documents. If the visa officer cannot read your documents clearly, your application will take longer to process.
Provide certified English or French translations of original documents that you submit in other languages.
Tell the truth on your application. It will take more time to process your application if extensive cross-referencing is required in order to prove the validity of your claims.
Pay all of the required fees on time. If you don’t pay the required fees in a timely manner and in adherence to the requirements outlined by IRCC, your application may be delayed.
Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
