Canadian student visa

Canadian student visa

The start of a secure future, with the right to work and a route to permanent residence

For many Iranian students, Canada is not simply a place to study; it is a place to build a lasting future. The chance to study at respected universities and colleges, to work while studying, and to carry on towards permanent residence has made the Canadian student visa one of the most popular choices there is.  After graduating, you can enter the job market and stay in the country – a route that, taken properly and in the right order, can change your professional life for good.

Dependant visa

Work permit available

Language requirement

IELTS or TOEFL certificate

Approximate timeline

12 to 24 weeks

Approximate cost

CAD 15,000 to 30,000 a year

Immigration routes to Canada

آیکون مهاجرت تحصیلی

Work immigration

Moving to Canada on a job offer from a Canadian employer, or on a Canadian work visa, is another of the quicker routes into the country.

آیکون مهاجرت تحصیلی

Family Sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can bring family members – a spouse, children and parents – to permanent residence in Canada.

آیکون مهاجرت تحصیلی

Investment immigration

This visa category covers several streams, including self-employment, business investment and entrepreneurship, where applicants must be active in manufacturing, service or technology businesses, or contribute financially to the Canadian economy.

Immigration routes

Who qualifies for a Canadian student visa?

  • Anyone holding an offer from a school, college or university on the DLI list
  • Students whose grades match the level of study they are applying for
  • Anyone who can prove sufficient funds for tuition and living costs in Canada
  • Anyone with a recognised language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL and similar), or applying through an approved alternative route
  • Applicants with no criminal record who are medically admissible
  • Anyone who can show the visa officer a clear study plan and a clear future
  • Anyone who can justify a logical route to residence or return once their studies end

Opportunities while you study

  • Study at a Designated Learning Institution in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Quebec
  • Bring your spouse on an open work permit and your children into publicly funded schooling
  • Attend conferences, exhibitions and industry events as part of your programme
  • See Canadian life, education and the job market at first hand before committing to permanent residence
  • Build a Canadian study and travel record that strengthens later visa applications (Schengen, UK, Australia)

Career opportunities after you graduate

  • A student work permit for up to 24 hours a week
  • Full-time work during holidays
  • Eligibility for the PGWP
  • Entry into the Canadian job market, with no requirement that the job match your field
  • Strong Canadian demand for international graduates

A detailed checklist of documents for a Canadian student visa

  • A formal Letter of Acceptance from a DLI institution
  • A valid passport and passport photographs
  • Translated previous academic documents and transcripts
  • A language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent)
  • Proof of funds, including bank statements, a GIC, and any scholarship or student loan
  • A statement of purpose (SOP or Letter of Explanation)
  • Evidence of your intent to leave, or of your future plans
  • Medical examinations
  • Immigration forms
  • Custodianship documents (for applicants under the age of majority)
  • A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for college and bachelor’s programmes

Does a Canadian student visa lead to permanent residence?

  • A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after you graduate
  • Entry into the Express Entry system as an international graduate
  • Applying through the CEC with Canadian work experience
  • Permanent residence through skilled work, marriage in Canada or investment (in particular circumstances)
  • Building a durable route to life, work and permanent residence in Canada

Cost transparency

Government visa fee + biometrics

235$

Proof of funds

23,448$

How we work with you

  1. 1We assess your situation and choose the right route

  2. 2We sign a formal agreement and open your file

  3. 3We prepare and translate your documents and book the embassy appointment

  4. 4Your visa is issued, and we help with arrival and settling in

Frequently asked questions

Have the 2026 rules made a Canadian student visa harder to get?

It has become more competitive, but not impossible. What matters more than before is that your study plan makes sense and that your documents are complete and accurate. Canada’s focus is now on attracting postgraduate students (master’s and doctoral) and fields the labour market needs, such as healthcare, construction and agriculture.

Not necessarily. If you can explain the gap in a way that is logical and credible, you still have a chance. The explanation is the key.

Yes, but not with the same file. First the reason for the refusal has to be identified; then, once the weaknesses are fixed, you can apply again.

Do you meet these requirements?

Check your chances of a Canadian visa now, free of charge. A careful review before you apply can save you a refusal and a second round of costs.

Complete Guide to Canadian Student Visa

The Canadian student visa is one of the most popular visas for international students who plan to study at one of Canada’s prestigious colleges or universities. This allows you to enter a unique land and stay in the country by changing your student visa at the end and finding work.
A Canadian student visa allows students to reside in Canada during their studies and benefit from the country’s superior educational and research facilities. In this article, we have discussed very important points about obtaining a Canadian student visa so that you have no doubts!

Canadian student visa

Types of Canadian student visas

There are two main ways to obtain a Canadian study visa: a student visa and a student visa. Different methods are possible for these two types of visas. For example:

  • Elementary and secondary schools
  • Post-secondary
  • Colleges
  • Universities
  • Private vocational colleges (a type of educational institution that offers training and professional courses for people seeking to acquire specific skills and knowledge.)
  • Technical and vocational schools
  • Language schools (English and French)

To obtain a study permit in Canada, the acceptance letter must be from a “DLI” (universities, colleges, and schools approved by the provincial or territorial government); otherwise, the application will be rejected!

Steps to apply for a Canadian student visa

After you have chosen your school, college or university to immigrate to Canada, you must apply according to the rules of that institution. For example:

Timely action to apply for a Canadian student visa:

  • To apply for primary or secondary school, 6 months before the start of the new academic year
  • To apply for post-secondary education, 1 year before the start of the new academic year.

To prepare and submit all required documents for school, college, or university: Postsecondary education, 1 year before the start of the new academic year

  • Visa application fee
  • Tuition fees
  • Health insurance
  • Cost of living in Canada
  • Language test

Documents required for a Canadian student visa

Documents required for a Canadian student visa

The documents required to obtain a Canadian student visa are different at different levels, which we will explain in detail below:

  • Proof of acceptance (Letter of Acceptance): From an accredited Canadian educational institution approved by the government of this country.
  • Proof of identity: valid passport and passport photos.
  • Proof of financial means: The applicant must prove that they have the financial means to pay for their studies and living expenses in Canada by providing financial documents for a Canadian study visa. Therefore, they must provide documents such as a bank statement, Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), student loan or scholarship.
  • Educational qualifications: Previous academic qualifications and transcripts.
  • Proof of departure from Canada after completion of studies: The applicant must prove to the immigration officer that he/she intends to return to his/her home country after completing his/her studies in Canada.
  • Letter of Explanation: Explaining the reasons for studying in Canada and the student’s responsibilities in this country.
  • Medical examination
  • Custodian Declaration: For minors only
  • Language certificate: IELTS certificate, TOEFL certificate, etc.
Fill out the required forms and after submitting, wait for the results. If accepted by the institution, you will be sent an acceptance letter.

Documents required for a Canadian student visa for a diploma level

  • Passport scan.
  • Scanned translation of the last three years of school report cards along with a Persian copy.
  • Completed, stamped, and signed Custodian form: (Applicants under the age of 18 must introduce a legal guardian in Canada, called a custodian. This person is either a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. This form must accurately provide information about the custodian, his or her home address, and information about the student’s parents.) This is the case when the parents are not present with the student in that country.
  • Fill in all personal information (full name of applicant’s parents and address, phone number and zip code)

Documents required for admission to Canadian colleges

  • Scan of a valid passport.
  • Scanned translation of diploma and transcripts of the last three years of high school along with a Persian copy.
  • Scan of language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) (if necessary).
  • Fill in all the necessary information.

Documents required to obtain a Canadian undergraduate student visa

  • Scan of a valid passport.
  • Scanned translation of diploma and transcripts of the last three years of high school along with a Persian copy.
  • Scan of language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.).
  • Resume (CV).
  • Motivation letter >SOP< related to the desired field.
  • Fill in the necessary information.

Documents required to obtain a Canadian study visa for a master’s degree

  • Scan of a valid passport.
  • Scanned translation of bachelor’s degree and transcripts along with a Persian copy.
  • Scan of language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.).
  • Resume.
  • Motivation letter related to the field.
  • Two or three letters of recommendation from professors (Most Canadian universities accept letters of recommendation online. First, you enter your professor’s information, then the university sends you an email. The professor answers the questions and expresses his/her opinion, and then sends the email back to the university.)
  • Fill in the necessary information.

Required documents to study in Canada for a PhD degree

  • Scan of a valid passport.
  • Scanned translation of bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates and transcripts, along with a Persian copy.
  • Scan of language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.).
  • Resume.
  • Motivation letter related to the field.
  • Three letters of recommendation from professors.
  • A short essay and summary of the master’s thesis.
  • Article (if needed).
  • Research proposal (if required).

Related reading: If your program includes a required placement, you no longer need a separate permit as of April 2026: the new student placement rules

Note: All documents should be scanned as <PDFs>.

Canadian student visa requirements

Like any country, Canada has its own unique requirements for granting a Canadian student visa. Some of the most important requirements for obtaining a Canadian student visa are:

  • Be enrolled in a DLI (a school, college, university or educational institution that is approved by a Canadian provincial or federal regulatory body)
  • Have the GPA required by the relevant educational institution.
  • You must be able to prove that: 1. You have the means to pay the tuition fees. 2. You are able to pay for your own living expenses and those of your accompanying persons.
  • You have the ability to pay for travel expenses to your country of origin and the country of study for yourself and your accompanying family.
  • You have no criminal record and have the ability to obtain a judicial certificate if needed.
  • You are in good physical and mental health.
  • Prove that you will return to your country after your study permit in Canada expires.

Canadian student visa requirements

Duration of issuing a Canadian student visa

The duration of a Canadian student visa depends on several factors, such as the volume of application files, security checks, deficiencies in the file, lack of proof of legal status, changes in immigration laws, type of visa, etc. However, the average time for issuing a student visa after biometrics (fingerprinting) is estimated to be 18 weeks.

Canadian student visa extension

To extend your Canadian student visa, you must pay attention to its expiration date. If this period has expired, be sure to go through the renewal process within 90 days.

Working with a Canadian student visa

It is possible to work for students who have received a Canadian study visa and have begun their studies:

  • Students are allowed to work 20 hours per week.
  • Their study period must be longer than six months.
  • During semester breaks, they are allowed to work 40 hours per week.
  • The work does not have to be related to the student’s field of study.
  • The resume must be submitted to the employer.
  • Having a SIN NUMBER, or Canadian national ID, is required to identify an individual.
  • Student work can be on or off campus.

Note: People under the age of 18 who have obtained a Canadian student visa are not allowed to work in this country!

Permanent Residency in Canada with a Student Visa

After completing their studies in Canada, students can apply for permanent residence through the following methods:

  • By applying for a work permit (post graduate work permit)
  • Using the Express Entry system for international graduates
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC): The CEC, or Canadian Experience Class, is a permanent residence visa program for those who have work experience in Canada. If you have worked in Canada since graduation, you can apply for permanent residence under this subclass. Make sure your work experience meets the CEC requirements.
  • Marriage on Canadian soil
  • Investment under special conditions

Obtaining a Canadian student visa provides a unique opportunity for international students to study in their field of interest under the supervision of one of the best educational systems in the world. By meeting the requirements and providing the necessary student visa documents, you can easily obtain a Canadian student visa and enjoy a different experience in your studies. Canada is a land of the best and most professional universities in the world. For more information on all the details of the requirements for obtaining a Canadian student visa and Canadian study advice, contact our expert consultants at Aval Visa and get answers to all your questions.

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Hadi Imani — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant — RCIC #R522575  ·  Verify this licence on the CICC Public Register ↗
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