Depending on your country of origin and the type and length of study, you may be required to hold a visa, a student authorisation, or both.
For those of you studying languages for under three months, you will not require student authorisation. All other programs do require student authorisation.
Student authorisation
This can be obtained from the Canadian Embassy, High
Commission or Canadian Education Centre in your home
country. Applications for such authorisation can only
be made at the point of entry if you are a U.S. national,
a permanent resident of the US, a resident of St.
Pierre and Miquelon, or a dependent of a person who
is in Canada on employment or student authorisation.
The following documents are needed for your visa application:
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Proof of identity: photocopies of a valid passport or travel document or identity document that guarantees re-entry to the country that issued it.
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Visa officers may also wish to see the actual passport or travel document and will inform you if this is the case.
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Four passport photos with your details written on the back.
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Proof of financial support. This document must show that you will have enough money during your stay in Canada to cover tuition fees, return transportation and living.
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Proof of acceptance by an approved educational institution, containing the following information: full name, date of birth, mailing address of student, the course for which the student has been accepted, the estimated duration or date of completion of the course, the date in which the course begins, the last date on which the student must register for the course, the academic year which the student will be entering, whether the course is full or part-time, the tuition fee, any conditions related to acceptance, clear identification of the educational institution, and licensing information for private institutions. This letter must be signed by an authorised representative of the academic institution.
In your application for a visa, you will need to check whether you will require a medical examination. Generally, if your stay is for less than six months, students and tourists are not required to undergo a medical examination. Note that the medical processing will add several weeks to the time necessary to obtain a student visa.
