Procedures for applying for a Canadian student visa and 4 tips to get a visa! | IDP Vietnam

Are you looking for a Canadian student visa but still wondering about the procedures and how to prepare your application? Or are you wondering if it is difficult to get a Canadian student visa? Don't worry, IDP will accompany you on your journey to study in Canada!

In fact, applying for a Canadian student visa will no longer be an obstacle if you understand the process and prepare your application properly from the beginning.

Join IDP Study Abroad to discover every step of preparing your Canadian student visa application correctly, helping you increase your chances of getting a visa from the first time and get closer to your goal of studying in the land of maple leaves.

A Canadian student visa is a common name for a set of documents that help international students legally enter and study in Canada, including entry visas (visas) and study permits (Study Permits).

Latest Updates on Canada Student Visa

From November 2024, the SDS (Student Direct Stream) program has officially stopped applying. This means:

• Vietnamese students must apply under the usual category

• Requiring proof of finance becomes more important

• Careful preparation is required to avoid prolonging the review time

So, if you're having trouble proving your finances, contact IDP for free guidance, help you prepare your documents properly, and increase your chances of getting a Canadian student visa.

2.1. Short-term student visa

• For participants in a course or short-term training course of less than 6 months.

• It is not mandatory to apply for a Study Permit, just a tourist visa (Visitor Visa).

• If the course lasts more than 6 months, you must apply for a Study Permit.

2.2. Study Permit

• This is the main type of visa for international students studying in Canada for 6 months or more. It is a license that allows you to study legally at schools on the DLI (Designated Learning Institution) list.

• This permit will be issued when you enter Canada, after the Study Permit application is approved by IRCC

Important Note:

• A Study Permit is not an entry visa.

• Once your Study Permit application is approved, IRCC will automatically issue one of two types of entry documents:

• Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): For students from countries that must apply for an entry visa, such as Vietnam.

• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): For citizens of visa-exempt countries.

These two types of documents help you to be allowed to fly and enter Canada. Upon arrival, you will receive your Study Permit at the Canadian airport

2.3. Accompanying dependent visa (if applicable)

When you apply for a Canadian student visa, your accompanying relatives can apply for different types of visas:

• Open Work Permit: For spouses of international students, allowing them to work legally in Canada.

• Student Visa or Visitor Visa: For children (depending on age and study plan).

To be granted a study permit and study in Canada, you need to meet the following conditions:

Educational Requirements

• Have a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Canadian school on the DLI list.

• Meet the educational requirements of school records, transcripts, and related qualifications (notarized translation into English/French).

• Meet the foreign language requirement (depending on the level of study you choose)

Financial conditions

From September 1, 2025, the minimum level of financial proof for an applicant (outside Quebec) is CAD 22,895, up from the previous CAD 20,635. In addition to this, you'll still need to prove:

• Tuition fees of the study program.

• Round-trip airfare for you and your companions (if any).

• Documents proving clear and legal financial sources.

In Quebec alone, students need to add a CAQ (Certificat d'acceptation du Québec) for a separate fee.

Health conditions

In addition, in order to meet the requirements of being a global citizen, the visa application process also requires health and legal requirements.

• Provide documents to prove that you have no criminal record

• Meet the criteria for medical examination at a medical facility designated by the Consulate/IRCC.

As part of the types of Canadian study documents, the preparation documents for applying for a Canadian student visa include the following 3 main groups: personal document records, academic records, and financial proof documents.

4.1 Personal identification

Used to verify your identity and residency status.

• Passport – valid for at least 6 months

• 2 Portrait Photos

• Birth certificate (if submitted under a sponsor or minor)

• ID card/CCCD (if submitting the Vietnamese version, a notarized translation is required)

• Marriage certificate/single certificate (if applicable)

4.2 Study documents

• Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Canadian school

• PAL/TAL or CAQ (if required by the school or province)

• Transcripts, school records, previous degrees

• English/French Language Certificate (IELTS...)

• Academic CV (if postgraduate or long-term graduate)

• Letter of Explanation / Study Plan

4.3 Financial documents

You can prove your finances through some of the following documents:

• A Canadian bank account in your name, if you have transferred money to Canada

• Secured Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution

• Proof of student or education loans from a bank

• Your bank statement for the last 4 years

• Proof of payment of tuition and housing fees

• Bank statements convertible to Canadian dollars

• Letters from people and schools sponsoring your tuition fees

• Proof of the grant paid from Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-sponsored education program

Applying for a Canadian student visa will become simpler if you know each step and prepare your application according to the instructions. Here is a detailed process to help you easily conquer a Canadian student visa:

Step 1: Receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA)

You need a letter of offer (LOA) from a DLI-listed (Designated Learning Institution) school.

Step 2: Receive a letter of confirmation from the province or territory (PAL/TAL)

You will need one of the following documents before applying for a visa:

• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

• Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL)

Note: Some programs or special circumstances may be exempt from PAL/TAL, depending on the regulations of each province.

Step 3: Prepare documents

It is recommended that you prepare your application at least 3–4 months before the admission date to ensure that the application is timely.

The dossier includes the following main groups of papers:

• Academic Records

• Financial Records

• Personal Records

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Additional Notes:

• Students under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a legal guardian in Canada or a parent.

Step 4: Complete the application and fill out the application forms

Before applying, you should carefully refer to the official guidance documents from IRCC:

• Document Checklist [IMM 5483]

• Visa Office Instructions [IMM 5572]

Important forms:

• IMM1294E: Study Permit Application

• IMM5645E: Family Information Declaration

• Custodianship Declaration: For students under the age of 18

Step 5: Submit online documents and pay the fee

You can apply in two forms:

• Online (recommended)

• In person at CVAC (in some special cases)

Online submission process:

• Create an IRCC account (GCKey or Sign-In Partner)

• Upload the entire profile as required

• Pay fees online

Note: Submitting documents online shortens processing time and makes it easier to track progress.

Exceptions to paper application:

• People with disabilities

• Stateless persons

Step 6: Take biometrics and monitor the results

After submitting the application:

• You will receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter within 1–2 days via your IRCC account

• Proceed to take biometrics (fingerprints and photos) at:

  • Hanoi

  • Ho Chi Minh City

You can track the progress of your application review online through your IRCC account.

The current fees for applying for a Canadian student visa (Study Permit) are:

• Processing fee of 150 CAD

• If you need to provide biometrics, an additional fee of CAD 85

Note:

• The Canada visa fee is non-refundable

• In case the parent is accompanying, it is necessary to register at the same time and at the same place.

The time to apply for a Canadian student visa usually ranges from 8 to 12 weeks from the time of application to IRCC, so if you intend to study in Canada, you should find out early to have more time to prepare.

• The time from preparing the application to the time of submitting the visa application: It takes about 3 months. After submitting the application for admission, the school report needs to wait for the school to review and respond, so the time is extended.

• Visa waiting time: This is followed by a waiting time for visa processing from 8 weeks to 12 weeks depending on the type of visa you need.

So is it difficult to get a Canadian student visa? The answer isn't too hard — but it does require you to prepare a complete, accurate, and well-directed application from the start.

Instead of juggling complicated procedures on your own, you can get comprehensive support from IDP with:

• Advice on the right pathway to study in Canada

• Detailed visa application preparation instructions

• Assistance in choosing a school, major, and applying

• Search for scholarships to study in Canada, accommodation, and study-abroad insurance

With more than 57 years of global experience and over 30 years in Vietnam, IDP Vietnam helps you build a clear profile, increase your Canadian student visa pass rate, and shorten processing times.

In addition, you can actively find out about schools and courses through the IDP Live app with the Fastlane feature, which helps

• Find the right course quickly

• Know the results of the application earlier (shortened to 2–3 times)

Start your journey to study in Canada today with IDP's support to optimize your chances of success right from the visa application stage.