Is Canada Giving Study Permits to Pakistani Students?
The answer is yes. The cap set by IRCC should not be a deterrent for students who want to study in Canada.
The media has given Canada’s study permit system a bad rap and the headlines can be very deceiving. But the truth is Pakistani students are eligible to apply for study permits to Canada to pursue their education at various institutions. To obtain a study permit, applicants must provide proof of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), proof of financial support, a clean criminal record, and a medical exam if required. Meeting the requirements set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is crucial for a successful application process. Additionally, demonstrating ties to their home country and intent to return after studies are essential factors for Canadian immigration officials when assessing applications from Pakistani students. Of these requirements, financial support and ties to Pakistan are the two most important points to show in your study permit application.
How to Demonstrate Enough Financial Support?
Tuition Payment: We would like to inform you that full payment of tuition fees is a crucial requirement for submitting your SDS (Study Direct Stream) application. Ensuring that the tuition fees for the entire first year of your program are paid in full is necessary to meet the financial obligations outlined by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for SDS applications. Failure to provide proof of full tuition payment may result in delays or rejection of your SDS application. Please make sure to have all necessary documentation demonstrating the payment of tuition fees when applying through the SDS stream. If you have any questions or require further clarification regarding this requirement, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Go 2 Canada Education Services.
And even if you decide you want to apply through the regular non-SDS route, paying all or a good portion of your tuition will be a strong support for your application. A highly recommended amount is one-half (one term) of your tuition if you are not paying the full year.
GIC from select Canadian banks: The amount required for the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) in the Student Direct Stream (SDS) study permit application is $20,635 CAD. This financial requirement is in place to ensure that international students have sufficient funds to support themselves while studying in Canada. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to meet this financial obligation as part of the SDS application process.
The bank statement: When applying for a study permit in Canada, providing a bank statement is a crucial component of your application if you are applying through the regular Non-SDS route. This document is used to demonstrate your financial capacity to support yourself during your studies in Canada. The bank statement should show that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and any other related costs, less any amounts already paid towards your tuition. It is important to ensure that the 4-month bank statement is up-to-date, clearly shows the account holder’s name, the account balance, and is issued on official bank letterhead. Failure to provide a comprehensive and accurate bank statement may result in delays or rejection of your study permit application. It is recommended to consult the specific financial requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to ensure your bank statement meets the necessary criteria.
Letter of Sponsorship: A letter of sponsorship for a study permit is a document provided by a sponsor who pledges to financially support a foreign student during their studies in Canada. This letter outlines the sponsor's commitment to cover the student's living expenses, tuition fees, and other related costs. It is a crucial part of the study permit application, demonstrating to the Canadian immigration authorities that the student will have the means to support themselves while pursuing their education in Canada. The letter should include specific details about the sponsor's financial resources, relationship to the student, and the terms of the sponsorship agreement.
This letter is mandatory for those students who are applying through the Non-SDS route. While it isn’t necessary for international students who have paid their 1 year tuition in full and purchased the Canadian GIC, it is still highly recommended that Pakistani students also provide this letter with supporting documents. Note that the bank statement isn’t necessary for SDS applicants but is recommended.
How to Show Ties to Pakistan?
Family Ties: What are your family ties in your home country? What will draw you back to Pakistan? It is essential to note that family ties alone do not guarantee the approval of a study permit application, as each case is assessed based on various factors by immigration authorities.
Property Ties: Stating ownership or possession of properties in Pakistan can potentially strengthen your study permit application for Canada. These properties can serve as evidence of strong ties to your home country, demonstrating your intention to return after completing your studies in Canada. While property is considered a non-liquid asset that cannot be turned into ready cash, it still does show financial stability. When presented thoughtfully, property ownership in Pakistan can be a valuable asset in bolstering your study permit application.
Appropriate University/College Program: Choosing a program that aligns with enhanced employability in your home country is another way of showing strong ties to Pakistan and strengthens your study permit application. For example, software engineers are well sought after in Pakistan because of it’s booming IT industry. Therefore, such a program selection would support your ties to Pakistan and this can also be further stated in your Study Plan.
Study Plan: The Study Plan or better referred to by IRCC (Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada), as Annex A, is also an important document to include in your study permit application. For information on what is required in the Annex A (study plan), please check out the Canadian governments immigration document, IMM5814e which are the guidelines for Pakistani students and give the study plan questions at the end. The basic information that needs to be included is your academic history, ties to Pakistan, why you have chosen the program you have and how this program will enhance your employability in your home country.