How Long Is Canada Student Visa Processing

By Tiara

Many students have a lot of dreams that they want to make come true, including traveling to other countries and studying abroad. If you are one of these students, then it is important to know how long student visa processing takes.

It can be difficult knowing just how much time it will take for an agency or country to process your documents and issue you a visa. Some agencies may need up to a month before they send you your visa, while others may require several months. This article will give you some tips on how to keep yourself busy during this waiting period.

There are many things you can do to pass the time until you get your visas. You can read books, surf the net, chat with friends and family, and more. Doing these things will help you focus on other things instead of waiting around for a visa.

What is a visa?

how long is canada student visa processing

A visa is an document that allows you to enter or leave a country. Most major countries have visas which allow entry for a certain amount of time, and sometimes there are limitations within those times as well.

A student visa is typically valid for one year in most Western Countries like Canada. During this time, you can study and explore the city while earning money. Some students stay longer than a year but it depends on your program, your budget, and what kind of living situation you find for yourself.

After one year, you must either apply for permanent resident status (PAR) or return home. The process for PAR varies from Country to Country so check with immigration agencies in Canada to learn more about student visa processing.

There are also some cases where being overstayed will hurt your chances at applying for PAR later! So make sure you stick to the expiration date on your visa and don’t remain in Canada past your departure date.

What are the different types of visas?

There are many different visa types for international students to study in Canada. Some require you to live here while studying, whereas others don’t.

The most common type is the International Experience Class (IEC) visa which allows you to spend no more than two years in Canada as an experienced student.

You must be able to prove that you have enough money to support yourself while you’re here, and there can be some additional requirements such as having proof of adequate English language skills or work experience.

There is also the Canadian Graduate Program Accession (CGP) visa category for graduates who will earn up to $50,000 per year while they're in Canada. Both IECs and CGP visas are processed within one to three months.

What is the process for obtaining a visa?

how long is canada student visa processing

After you have all of your documents in order, you will need to find out how long it takes for an immigration official to review them! This is one of the most difficult things about student visas as there are no hard and fast rules.

Most countries have their own set time frames within which they must be processed but these times can vary quite a lot depending on the country. Some take less than two weeks while others can take much longer.

In some cases, there is even a maximum number of days that an employee has to complete their work before being promoted or given another task.

How long will the process take?

how long is canada student visa processing

The overall length of time it takes to process your student visa depends mostly on two things: how quickly your embassy can get back to you with confirmation that you have all required documents, and their level of efficiency in processing visas.

Some countries are quicker than others at responding to visa applications, which can make a difference in how soon you receive word that your application has been accepted. If there’s no news after several weeks, then you may want to consider whether this country is a good fit for you.

General tips: if you need to know when you can expect to hear from an embassy, add it to your list – keep track using one of our free checking accounts. You should also be aware of what kind of notifications you’re allowed to have while waiting for your visa so you don’t waste any money looking or contacting people unnecessarily.

What are the different visa options?

how long is canada student visa processing

To stay in Canada longer, you can apply for either of two types of work visas: seasonal or non-seasonal works permits. Both require you to live with your sponsor while working, but only the non-seasonal permit requires residency status.

A seasonal worker is someone who will be able to return home at the end of the season (spring and fall). A non-seasonal worker must remain in Canada permanently unless they find another job within their qualifying period.

Business people often use this type of visa to establish themselves here, as it gives them time to explore Canadian business regulations before applying for citizenship.

There is an eight year limit to apply for permanent residence under this category, so if you’re looking to stay long term, now is the time! However, you will need proof that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after coming to Canada.

Do I need a sponsor?

how long is canada student visa processing

If you do not have an approved student visa, or your current one has expired, you will likely be asked if you have someone that can act as your close friend or roommate while in Canada. This person must live with you for at least six months to qualify as having an approved non-relative residence.

This is called the Non-Relative Residence (NRR) test. It’s very important to know what kind of documents prove this relationship!

If you don’t, you could end up staying in Canada longer than planned, paying more money in extra fees, and/or starting the immigration process all over again.

It’s best to make sure your partner is legally allowed to reside in Canada before agreeing to this. The same goes for their employment status – making it easy for them to pay bills while you’re away isn’t great if they aren’t officially permitted to do so.

Are there any language restrictions?

how long is canada student visa processing

There is one major thing to know about student visas in Canada- they are not easy to get! This means it takes longer for some people to arrive in our country, especially if you are not a Canadian citizen or have an expired visa.

There are several different types of students that can apply for permanent resident status in Canada, but before you start looking into this you need to be aware of how long processing times are. It’s very important to understand just how long it takes to process your application so you don’t waste your time applying and being told “we couldn’t find anything wrong with your paperwork, but we will keep checking back every week until we do!”

We have gathered all of the information for you here, including when it was last updated, what kind of documents must be included, and which countries are considered safe for immigration purposes.

What if I want to stay longer than the visa allows?

how long is canada student visa processing

If you have run out of time on your student visa, there are always options! You can apply for permission to remain in Canada as an international student or Graduate Teacher (GTA) under special circumstances. To do this, you must first be able to prove that you have enough money to return home after graduating, and you must make sure all of your bills and obligations will be covered while you are away.

If these conditions are met, then Canadian Immigration may grant you temporary resident status, which gives you full access to health care, education, and employment here. The process takes about a year, so it’s best to start working on leaving early!

You also need to know what kind of documentation is required depending on how long you plan to stay. For example, if your permit expires within six months, you only need to provide proof of sufficient funds and educational credentials. But if your paper work expires more than six months from now, like one year, then you will need additional documents proving that you will come back.