What to avoid while applying for Student Visa
Each year a huge population of Indian students apply to get admitted to a prestigious College or university in Canada but only 60% to 70% actually get it. The rest of the applicants lose the chance due to some easily avoidable mistakes they made. To get a student Visa in one go you must avoid the following errors:
1. Having no study plan in place
You ought to have a study plan in place and you must submit that while applying for the visa. The plan should clearly explain your reason for studying in Canada and that you are aware of your responsibilities as a student. You are supposed to state convincingly how the qualification acquired will be beneficial in your career in the future. You must mention the name of the program and the place you have chosen to pursue that along with your educational background. You need to include a statement of purpose in the plan as well. You are also expected to write about your career plans post-completion of the course. Also, the details of the funds and their sources should be written clearly.
2. Delayed application
If you are late in applying for the visa then there are better chances that you will not get it, therefore you must plan and apply for the process in advance. There are many documents that are required for this and it is important that you have all of them in advance. You need to include your medical certificate along with biometrics with the application form.
3. Unorganised documents
As there are many documents that you need to submit along with the visa application, it is important that you keep a checklist of them and organize them in order so that it becomes easy for you and the officials to review. Once you create your profile on the IRCC portal, answer the given questions and check all the documents listed there. Then review the checklist for immigration documents to ensure that you have not missed any of that. The main documents you need are Proof of acceptance from the college or the university, proof of identity, and proof of funds.
4. Insufficient Evidence of Financial Support
You are supposed to show proof of the funds that are required to pay the tuition fees and cover the living expenses, failing which your application will be rejected. Here is the list of proof of funds that you can submit:
- A Canadian bank account details if the money is transferred in that.
- GIC from a Canadian Financial Institution which is approved.
- Education loan documents in case of student loan.
- Past 4 month’s bank statements.
- Bank draft which could be converted into CAD.
- Proof of tuition fee and accommodation payment
- If you have any scholarship then proof of that is required
5. Not Explaining Strong Connections with the Home Country
It is important to show that you are going to Canada for the purpose of education only and you have no intentions of settling down there. For this, you must very clearly show your strong connection with your country and roots so that the visa officials get assured that post-education you will definitely go back to your home country to pursue the career. If you fail to do so, they will reject the application. You could do that by showing the following details:
- Ownership documents of a property in your name if applicable
- Passport showing details that you went to other countries as well but returned home from there
- Career path in your country after completing the course in Canada
- Reference letter from old employer showing your deep connections and strong network in the professional world in your home country
Things to Avoid Post Receiving the Visa for Canada
1. Crossing the limit for the working hours
You are allowed to work for 20 hours a week as a student in Canada to earn to cover your expenses. It is for all the international students living on or off the campus. The rule is made to ensure that you have time to devote to your studies. In no case you should violate the rule as it could go against you. It is needed to maintain student status in the university.
However, you could work full-time in the summer if you maintain the student status in your college or university. You do not need a work permit for that.
2. Changing University without approval:
Shifting to another university is complicated as your study permit is connected to your Designated Learning Institution. Therefore you should never do it without proper approval. If you need to do so then you ought to contact IRCC and state your reason clearly. There are three scenarios where you are allowed to do so:
- You want to modify the study permit conditions
- You have opted for a co-op program in some other university as you have a co-op work permit
- Post-secondary change in the school
If you fail to inform IRCC about this then your present university will deregister you and you might lose the study visa and permission to stay in Canada.
3. Below-average performance in assessments:
During your education, you will have to take many tests or assessments and they will show your performance in the program. You are supposed to maintain a good GPA to have a good academic record. If you fail in these assessments, the officials might enquire about your progress to know if you can graduate from the course or not.
4. Involvement in any kind of crime:
You should not get involved in any criminal activities while living in Canada to maintain your student status. Firstly, you will not be allowed to step on Canadian soil if you have a criminal record, it does not matter if the crime was committed in Canada or in any other country. However, if you have received a pardon or record suspension or you are under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act then you could be allowed to stay in Canada. You are required to convince the immigration officer that you are not a threat to society. Also, making wrong use of ChatGPT is also considered a crime.