Immigration: Permits & Visas

 

 

THE STUDY PERMIT

 

Everyone who studies in Canada for longer than six months requires a Study Permit. Since most Key2Careers College programs are one month to 12 months in length, this becomes a mandatory requirement for the majority of our international students.

 

As soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance from Key2Careers College, you must apply for a Study Permit. This document must indicate that it is for Key2Careers College or "open" to any college in Ontario. When you arrive at Key2Careers College, an Admissions Officer or International Student Services staff person MUST then examine your documents (Study Permit and passport) to determine if they are in order. (This must be completed by the first day of class.) You may not study at Key2Careers College without a valid Key2Careers College study permit.

 

There are three major instances where you will require a Study Permit:
1) As a new student (Initial Study Permit),
2) As a returning student (Extending/Changing Conditions), or
3) As a visitor already in Canada deciding to start studies (Changing From Visitor to Student Status).

 

Below, we have outlined the different procedures for applying for the permit. We strongly suggest that you review and follow the procedure that is applicable to your situation.

 

INITIAL STUDY PERMIT

 

Requirements for Applying

Start early, as the application process can take up to six months, depending on the country. You may also have to complete a medical and attend a personal interview.

  • A completed application form (available at www.cic.gc.ca).

  • An official Letter of Acceptance from Key2Careers College

  • Proof of identity (valid passport or travel document)

  • Two recent passport size photos

  • Proof of financial support

  • The processing fee

Note: Individual circumstances may vary depending on your country's requirements.

 

How to Apply
As soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance from Key2Careers College, apply for your Study Permit at the nearest Consulate, Embassy, or High Commission (To find your local embassy view www cic.gc.ca).

 

Note: Citizens or permanent residents of the United States, St. Pierre, Greenland and Miguelon may apply for their permit at the Canadian port of entry. Be sure to bring with you all of the documents listed above.

 

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 EXTENDING/CHANGING CONDITIONS

 

Your Study Permit must be valid for Key2Careers College to continue in your program, or to start a new one.

Be sure to apply at least six to eight weeks prior to the expiration of your current Study Permit.

 

Requirements for Applying

  • Photocopies of certain passport pages (passport must be valid)

  • Photocopy of current Study Permit

  • Proof of acceptance and/or confirmation of enrollment that you are continuing your studies

  • Proof of funds available

  • Transcripts

  • Stamped receipt showing that the processing fee has been paid (Copy 2 portion of the receipt form must be included with your application).

  • Temporary Resident Visa

  • Photocopy of Temporary Resident visa (if Required)

How to Apply

  1. Canada Immigration has recently instituted a new application procedure: all applications for a study permit or work permit must be filled out online. The following is a set of instructions that will walk you through the process. The turnaround time for processing these applications is approximately 2 months. Go to www.cic.gc.ca; Click on Applications and forms at top of page.

  2. Now, scroll down to Immigration applications for persons in Canada and click on the link.

  3. Scroll down to Student or Worker permit, click on the appropriate link. For Study Permits, click on Student. Midway down the page you will see the symbol indicating various PDF files. Click on the one for the Application. Complete the form and then print it. Sign and date the last page.

  4. Complete and print a copy of the Document Checklist indicating which forms you are including with your application. If you are applying to extend or change conditions of your study permit your package should be sent to:

             Citizenship and Immigration - Study Permit
             Case Processing Centre, Unit 101, Vegreville, AB T9C 1X5

 

Note: Send your application via XpressPost (Canada Post) or some other courier company so that it can reach Vegreville, AB in 1-2 days. Sending the package via a courier service also allows you to check that the kit was received by Immigration.

 

NOTE: Before sending off your application, please feel free to have one of our international staff double-check your application to ensure that you have correctly completed it.

 

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 CHANGING FROM VISITOR TO STUDENT STATUS

 

If you are a visitor to Canada and decide to remain and study in a full-time program, you must apply for a study permit. Your application must be made outside of Canada (nearest Canadian Consulate to Key2Careers College is in Buffalo, New York).

 

The same requirements necessary for the Initial Study Permit apply to this process. If applying through the Consulate in Buffalo, the application can be made in person or via mail. Please consult the Consulate's website for further information, at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/missions/buffalo.html

 

Basic Requirements

Note: You may be asked for documents over and above the list shown. 

  • original acceptance letter

  • proof of funds

  • two passport sized pictures

  • proof of English or French proficiency

  • photocopy of passport

  • may have to attend a medical and/or interview

  • individual circumstances may vary

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TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA (TRV)

 

This official document is often referred to as a "visitor's visa", and is absolutely necessary for some students who wish to travel back and forth from their home country to Canada. In these cases, a Study Permit alone will not grant you entry to Canada.


Note: Visit www.cic.gc.ca to determine whether citizens of your country require this visa.

 

Since you can only obtain this from outside Canada, you must contact a Canadian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission near you at least one to two months prior to leaving your country. When you have met the necessary requirements to be granted admission to Canada, a sticker will be placed in your passport.

 

You will need:

  • Completed application form (visit www.cic.gc.ca)

  • Valid passport

  • Two recent passport size photos (within last 6 months)

  • Proof of financial support

  • Documents which show the immigration officer that you are entering Canada for temporary study purposes only

  • Medical examination (possible)

  • Interview (possible)

  • Processing fee for multiple or single entry visa (Note: We recommend a multiple entry visa so that you can leave and return to Canada at your convenience.)

  • If renewing while in Canada also require transcripts and confirmation of enrollment

Note: You may be asked for documents over and above the list shown. 

 

 

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