I need a study permit - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | February 11, 2014

I need a study permit - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | February 11, 2014

Hello Ms Powell,

I just got accepted to a Canadian university to pursue a graduate programme. My father lives in Jamaica and would sponsor me for the duration of my study and he has the financial documentation to prove that. However, I have no family in Canada and I have never been there before. Will this affect my chances of getting a study permit? Where should I submit my application? What are the documents that I would need to submit? How long would they take to approve my application? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

CB

Dear CB:

Congratulations on being accepted into university! Canada welcomes more than 190,000 scholars from around the world on an annual basis. Canada has become the country of choice to pursue academic excellence as it offers a vibrant and unique cultural experience in a beautiful, safe environment.

The most challenging part of the application process is completing the application accurately and ensuring that you attach all the relevant documents. You should take special care in the preparation of your application. Once citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has received your complete application package, it should take approximately seven weeks for you to get your letter of introduction, which allows you to get a study permit.

I emphasise 'complete application' as many times applications are returned, refused, or delayed due to missing information. Application forms and fee-payment information may be found at the following website: http://www.csc-cvac.com/en-JM/selfservice/cvac_welcome 

A complete application should include the following:

1. Application for Study Permit Made outside of Canada;

2. Family Information Form;

3. Application for Temporary Resident Visa;

4. Letter of acceptance;

5. Proof of your identity;

6. Proof of financial support. Your father should provide his proof of income, employment letter, bank statement for the last four months;

7. Photographs according to specification;

8. Original passport;

9. Required fee (CAD$125) plus biometrics fee of $85;

10. Any other relevant information to assist in the decision-making process.

You will be required to appear in person to have your fingerprints and photograph (biometric information) taken at one of the Visa Application Centres located at:

1. Visa Application Centre - Kingston; 31 Upper Waterloo Road, Kingston 10.

2. Visa Application Centre - Montego Bay; 14 Sunset Boulevards, St James, Montego Bay.

At the end of the processing, your original documents, including your passport, will be returned to you. If your application is approved, your passport will be stamped with your temporary resident visa and you will receive a letter of introduction confirming the approval. The letter of introduction is not a study permit. You must take that letter with you on your trip to Canada.

When you arrive in Canada, you must show the letter of introduction and your passport to an officer at the airport or port of entry. The officer at the port of entry will determine whether you may enter Canada and how long you may stay. You will be issued a study permit at this time. You should ensure that you take a copy of the letter of acceptance from the school and proof of funds with you in your carry-on luggage as you will need to present these to the visa officer.

You may be eligible to work on a part-time basis as a student. You may explore this option when you are in Canada. You should note also that after graduation most graduates are eligible to receive post-graduation work permits to facilitate their stay in Canada. A post-graduation work permit may help facilitate an application for Canadian permanent residency.

If you would like additional information, guidance with your application, or other information about schools or settlement in Canada, consult with an immigration lawyer to assist you.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator, and notary public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada bars, with main office located in Ottawa, Ontario. Her areas of practice are in immigration, real estate, commercial, personal injury, family and administration of estates. She is on the roster of mediators for Ottawa, Toronto, and the Dispute Resolution Foundation of Jamaica.