Study Abroad Guide

Types of Canadian Visas

June 2022

Canada is one of the highly sought-after study overseas destinations like the USA, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Also referred to as â€˜The Land of Immigrants, the country is the chief destination for international students and immigrants. Canada is known globally for its long-standing and age-old traditions and cultural heritage. The colleges and universities in Canada have been imparting top-notch education for decades and experience the influx of a myriad of international students each year. Courses in Canada are offered across various fields of study: Law, Business Management, Dentistry, Architecture, Sports, etc. A degree earned in Canada is globally recognized and highly valued by employers around the world. In accordance with Canada's 202I-2023 Immigration Levels Plan, the country is prepared to invite 4,01,000 immigrants in 2021, more 4,11,000 in 2022, and 4,21,000 in 2023. For the purpose of acquiring temporary work, to obtain higher education, and even as dependents, people can travel to the country.

For foreign students and employed professionals with an aspiration to work and study in Canada, there are various types of Canada Visas. There exist four major pathways to enter the country work, citizenship, study, and immigration.

Work Permit Visa

Those who desire to work in Canada can apply for a Canadian Work Permit as business persons, students, and temporary workers. The two categories of work permits in Canada are Open work permits and Employer-specific work permits.

1.Open Work Permits

Under the Open Work Permits, candidates can work for any employer (nonetheless, there are exceptions to the rule). In order to attain a work permit, there exist certain requirements that each applicant must satisfy. Mentioned below is the checklist for one to check if he/she is eligible.

An international student who graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is permitted for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
Students who cannot meet their study costs
Those in possession of an employer-specific work permit who are being taken advantage of or in danger of being abused in relation to his/her employment in Canada
Candidates who have applied for a permanent residence in Canada
Not just the candidate, but any family member who is dependent on him/her who has applied for permanent residence
An international student, or spouse or common-law partner of a professional worker
A temporary resident permit holder
Spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
A worker taking part in special programs

2.Employer Specific Work Permit

This work permit enables one to work in accordance with the provisions on his/her work permit. An employer-specific work permit consists of the name of the employer, the time period for which he/she can work, and the location where he/she can work (if applicable). Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allocates one the kind of work permit he/she should apply for, on the basis of the nature of his/her work.

Student

Students with an aspiration to study in Canada are required to apply for a Canadian student permit. SDS i.e. Student Direct Stream or Non-SDS i.e. Non-Student Direct Stream are the two ways to apply for the study permit. The SDS is accessible to students from developing countries such as:

Brazil
Costa Rica
Senegal
Vietnam
Peru
Colombia
Pakistan
Antigua and Barbuda
India
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Morocco
Trinidad and Tobago
China
Philippines

The chief differentiation between the SDS and non-SDS is the visa processing time and the number of documentation needed to process the student permit.

Immigration

The types of Canadian Visa for the purpose of immigration are as under:

Express Entry
Quebec-selected skilled workers
Start-up Visa
Provincial nominees
Caregivers
Family Sponsorship
Self-employed
Atlantic Immigration Pilot

Canadian Citizenship

be a permanent resident,
he/she should have resided in the country for a minimum of 3 out of the last 5 years i.e. for 1,095 days
should have filed an income tax return,
the candidate is required to pass a citizenship test,
the applicant should prove his/her English or French language proficiency

Canada Dependent Visa

The Canada Dependent Visa is yet another different pathway to Canada. Applicants are capable of sponsoring their partners, children, and spouses if they are of the age of 18 or above and a Canadian native, a permanent resident of Canada, and a person enrolled as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) Visa Canada

Another type of Canada Visa for Indian applicants is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Visa Canada. The AIP, introduced in 2017, aids employers and companies in Atlantic Canada in recruiting international skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Canada. For international graduates who desire to stay in Atlantic Canada post-graduation, this program is open to them. There are 3 programs whereby graduates and immigrants can apply. They are as under:

Atlantic High-Skilled Program
Atlantic International Graduate Program, and
Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

Student Direct Service (SDS) Canada Visa

Offered by IRCC i.e. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, a Student Direct Stream is a study permit for students from developing countries. Specifically intended for international students who wish to pursue higher education in Canada, students can obtain the student permit within 45 days. Also, the number of documents required is limited.

Eligibility Requirement

Students are required to have an acceptance letter from a DLI i.e. Designated Learning Institute. A DLI is a college or university authorized by the government to take admission to international students. At present, just a few DLI-approved universities are permitted to accept international students, and that too, only if they have a Covid-19 readiness plan.

Students should have an English proficiency proof like an IELTS score of more than 6.
Should be in possession of a medical examination and medical insurance.
Proof of GIC i.e. Guaranteed Investment Certificate amounting to CAD 10,000 (INR 5,98,156) or higher. This certificate can be received from any IRCC-registered bank. Under this, the student is unable to access his/her money until he/she is in Canada, which is then recovered in a limited amount each month or every two months.
Students should provide proof of payment of the first year's tuition fees
Proof of residence from one of the following countries:
- Philippines
- India
- Morocco
- Vietnam
- China
- Senegal
- Pakistan