Being granted a study permit is one of the most critical parts of the process in applying to study in Canada. Some prospective students are not aware, however, that receiving a letter of acceptance from an institution in Canada DOES NOT guarantee that you will be granted a study permit to Canada. In our previous post, we discussed five reasons why a Canadian visitor visa application may be denied, this post will explore five reasons why a Canadian study permit application may be denied:
Lack of funds: Educational institutions in Canada can charge up to 2.5 times the domestic fees for international students. When you apply for your study permit, you will need to show that you have sufficient funds to support your studies and your stay. If you do not have sufficient funds, this may result in a refusal.
Your proposed studies are not reasonable: The visa officer will want to be satisfied that your proposed study is logical in light of your background, education and qualifications.
Loose connections to home country: Many persons will choose studying in Canada as a way to migrate permanently, the visa officer however needs to be convinced that your stay in Canada will be temporary. One of the aspects that the visa officer will look at is if there are strong connections to your home country.
Insufficient evidence of support: Many students receive assistance from a person who may sponsor their tuition, the visa officer will need to see sufficient support that your sponsor can and will support your studies in Canada.
Providing misleading or false information: It is important that you provide accurate and truthful information on your application forms. If the visa officer discovers that you provided misleading or false information, you may be denied from entering Canada for a specific period of time.
On any immigration application, there is no guarantee of success, however if you take note of these reasons you may give your application an improved chance of receiving an approval.
Want to search for scholarships? Click here to find scholarships available to international students
Please note: The information provided is for general purposes only, you should not act upon any such information without first seeking qualified professional counsel on your specific immigration matter.
About the Author: Kari Davis is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and founder of Bison Immigration Consulting.
Studying in Canada is an exciting and rewarding experience for many students from all over the world. Canada has one of the top-ranked education systems and one of the lowest education costs in the world. Tuition fees for international students start at approximately $8,000 CAD depending on the program and the institution of choice.
In light of this, we are sharing our list of five creative tips that we give to our applicants that will help them to fund their studies:
Loyalty Points: Several Canadian post-secondary institutions leading the way in accepting loyalty points that can used to pay tuition, residence fees and other charges on a student’s account. Two popular loyalty programs in Canada: Aeroplan and TD Bank Rewards offer their users the option of redeeming their points at Brandon University. Friends and family in Canada can collect points for activities that include travelling, shopping and purchasing gas. Points can be redeemed in $250 dollar increments and these amounts can be transferred to the student’s account.
External Scholarships: Several external organizations offer scholarships to international students. Finding these scholarships can often be challenging as the information is scattered all over the internet, however with a bit of research, one can find scholarships applicable to them. A few examples of these scholarships include: a) Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarships Program b) Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships c) The Generation Google Scholarship
Internal Scholarships: Applying for internal scholarships is a traditional way to fund higher education. We encourage our students to apply for any number of scholarships, bursaries and awards that they may qualify for at your school of choice.
Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding involves raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically through social media. Brandon University offers prospective and current students the ability to pay their tuition through bank transfer or by credit card payment. Relatives or friends can contribute as little as $20 or $30 CAD towards a student’s tuition. These amounts may seem small, but they can add up. Using social media is an ideal way for students to engage with their close community for assistance.
Competitions: Organizations worldwide hold contests and competitions for students and many offer substantial prize money to those who win. These contests and competitions are free to enter. Here are a few contests and competitions open to international students: a) Blog of the APA: This short story competition is open to everyone, regardless of geographic location. The winner wins a cash prize of $500 USD. b) Optimist International Essay Contest: Students educated in the United States, Canada or abroad can submit a 700- to 800-word essay around a central idea. The winner receives a $2,500 USD scholarship.
Overall, finding the financial resources to study in Canada may appear to be daunting or impossible at first, however with a bit of planning and research, students can utilize creative and inventive ways to fund their studies in Canada.
Are you interested in receiving free assistance with your application to attend universities and colleges in Canada? As part of this service we provide our students with a list of financial resources they can tap into.
Contact Kari Davis, RCIC at hello@bisonimmigration.com today or hello@bisonimmigration.com to book your assessment.
