Canada announces new student visa relaxations for Pakistanis by expanding its “Student Direct Stream” club to it. This could well be called new rules for Pakistanis now with more good chances to get success for student visas (helping them to get the study permit in 20 days in most cases).
“expanding this to Pakistan, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, (ex)Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship felt happy as this would enhance cultural, social and economic benefits that international students provide to Canada”.
Which countries are eligible for the “Student Direct Stream” program?
From now onwards, Pakistanis, Indians, and students of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam can apply for this stream.
What is the major benefit of the “Student direct stream”?
Through this stream, students can have their visa applications online submitted and processed under 20 calendar days in most cases. The application process is simple and makes more easy to apply from home. The visa success ratio is, of course, improved for eligible countries provided all requirements are met.
“a study permit is not a visa. It does not, by itself, allow you to travel to or enter Canada. You may also need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Provided that your visa application is approved, the Canadian immigration office will issue it with your study permit”.
Major requirements for “Student direct stream”
To apply through “Student Direct Stream”, you need to fulfill several requirements as follows:
- are applying from outside Canada
- belong to an eligible country for this stream
- apply online only
- have been accepted by a post-secondary (college or university) designated learning institution in Canada
- have the minimum required qualification to follow your study program
- hold required educational transcripts and certificates
- have paid the tuition fees for the first year of your study program in advance
- fulfill the language proficiency requirements: 6.0 band score in IELTS in each skill (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) or proficiency in the French language at CLB level 7
- depending on your country of origin, you may have to provide extra documents such as Police character certificate, medical exam results, and biometrics, etc.
- have secured a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000.
What is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
It’s a Canadian investment provided to you at a fixed rate. This is currently offered by the following banks:
- Bank of Beijing
- Bank of China
- Bank of Montreal
- Bank of Xian Co. Ltd.
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
- Habib Canadian Bank
- HSBC Bank of Canada
- ICICI Bank
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
- RBC Royal Bank
- SBI Canada Bank
- Scotiabank
“if you are not from one of the eligible countries for “Student direct stream”, you will have to apply through a normal student visa program”.
As proof while applying for a student visa through “Student direct stream”, you must provide GIC by submitting a letter of attestation, GIC certificate, an Investment Directions confirmation, or an Investment Balance Confirmation from your chosen bank.
You must have a student account or investment account to show this all. This account is not accessible until you reach Canada. Upon your arrival in Canada, a lump sum amount is provided to you after you prove your identity. The rest is done through a bi-monthly installment in 12 months.
“you can also sponsor your dependent children and spouse to join in Canada through a visit visa, open work permit or study permit”.
How to apply for “Student direct stream”
Having had all the required above-mentioned documents intact, you will have to apply online for this visa. Read here the guidance instructions before applying. Since you apply online, the visa processing and biometrics fees are also paid online (biometric fees could also be paid at the time you provide them physically). You need to upload all your documents for a final result. After applying online, you will be guided on where to submit your biometric, and after submitting your application is decided in under 3 weeks.
After your application has been approved
Once your online application has been approved, you are provided with a
- “letter of introduction” which you must present at the time you enter Canada
- an eTA (electronic travel authorization) or a visitor visa
The eTA is electronically linked to your passport for 5 years or till the expiry of your passport. If you are to get a visitor visa to enter Canada, you will be asked to present your passport to the nearest Canadian mission for the visa sticker. You will be able to travel to Canada on any of these confirmations.
Once you reach a Canadian airport and have all the necessary documents with a passport, a study permit will be printed and handed over to you.
If your application is turned down, you will be served a brief letter explaining what went wrong in your application. You can then contact your nearest Canadian visa office for further details.