How to Apply for a Canada Study Scholarship and Visa

Canada is one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to pursue higher education in a diverse and welcoming country. Canada offers a high-quality education system, a multicultural society, a natural beauty, and a range of opportunities for academic and professional growth. If you are interested in studying in Canada, you may be eligible for a scholarship and a visa that can help you achieve your goals.

In this blog post, I will explain what are the main types of scholarships and visas for international students who want to study in Canada, what are the eligibility criteria and application process, and what are the benefits and challenges of studying in Canada.

The Main Types of Scholarships and Visas for International Students

There are many types of scholarships and visas for international students who want to study in Canada, depending on their level of study, field of study, country of origin, and financial need. Here are some of the most common ones:

Scholarships

• Study in Canada Scholarships: These are short-term exchange scholarships that aim to increase opportunities for Canadian post-secondary institutions to welcome international students from a wide range of countries and territories. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, airfare, and other costs for four to six months of study or research at the college, undergraduate, or graduate level. The eligible countries and territories vary each year, but they usually include Asia, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The application period is usually from January to March each year¹.
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: These are prestigious scholarships that attract and retain world-class doctoral students who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the natural sciences, engineering, health, social sciences, or humanities. The scholarships provide $50,000 per year for three years of doctoral studies at any Canadian university. The scholarships are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students. The application period is usually from July to November each year.
• Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program: These are merit-based scholarships that support high-calibre students who are pursuing master’s degrees at Canadian universities. The scholarships provide $17,500 for 12 months of full-time study. The scholarships are open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have completed or are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program. International students may also be eligible if they hold a valid study permit at the time of application. The application period is usually from September to December each year.
• Other Scholarships: There are many other scholarships offered by various organizations, such as the Canadian government, provincial governments, universities, colleges, foundations, associations, companies, etc. These scholarships have different eligibility criteria, application processes, deadlines, values, and durations. You can search for these scholarships on websites such as EduCanada, [ScholarshipsCanada], [Yconic], etc.

Visas

• Study Permit: This is the main type of visa that allows you to study in Canada as an international student. You need a study permit if you want to study in Canada for more than six months. To apply for a study permit, you need to have an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada that offers the program you want to study. You also need to prove that you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation, and that you have no criminal record or health problems that would make you inadmissible to Canada. You can apply for a study permit online or by paper, depending on your country of origin. The processing time varies depending on your location, but it usually takes several weeks or months. You can check the status of your application online².
• Visitor Visa: This is a type of visa that allows you to enter Canada as a visitor for a short period of time, usually up to six months. You may need a visitor visa if you want to visit Canada before or after your studies, or if you want to return to Canada after leaving the country during your studies. To apply for a visitor visa, you need to have a valid passport, a travel itinerary, a letter of invitation from someone in Canada (if applicable), and proof of financial support. You can apply for a visitor visa online or by paper, depending on your country of origin. The processing time varies depending on your location, but it usually takes several days or weeks. You can check the status of your application online.
• Work Permit: This is a type of visa that allows you to work in Canada as an international student or graduate. There are different types of work permits, such as:
  • On-campus work permit: This allows you to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) on the campus of the institution where you are studying, without needing a separate work permit. You need to have a valid study permit and be enrolled full-time in an academic, vocational, or professional program that is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. You can work on campus as long as your study permit is valid.
  • Off-campus work permit: This allows you to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) off the campus of the institution where you are studying, without needing a separate work permit. You need to have a valid study permit and be enrolled full-time in an academic, vocational, or professional program that is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. You can work off campus as long as your study permit is valid.
  • Co-op or internship work permit: This allows you to work full-time or part-time as part of your academic program, such as a co-op placement or an internship. You need to have a valid study permit and be enrolled in a program that requires work experience as part of the curriculum. You can work as a co-op or intern as long as your study permit is valid and your work is authorized by your institution.
  • Post-graduation work permit: This allows you to work in Canada after you graduate from your studies, without needing a job offer or an employer sponsorship. You need to have completed a full-time program of at least eight months in length at a DLI in Canada and apply for the work permit within 180 days of receiving your final marks or graduation letter. The duration of the work permit depends on the length of your program, but it can range from eight months to three years. You can work in any occupation and location in Canada as long as your work permit is valid.

The Benefits and Challenges of Studying in Canada

Studying in Canada has many benefits for international students, such as:

• Access to a world-class education system that offers a wide range of programs and degrees in various fields of study
• Exposure to a diverse and multicultural society that fosters tolerance, respect, and understanding of different cultures and perspectives
• Development of English or French language skills that are essential for global communication and career advancement
• Enhancement of personal skills such as independence, adaptability, creativity, and leadership that are valuable for personal and professional success
• Creation of a global network of friends, mentors, and contacts that can provide support, guidance, and opportunities for future endeavors
• Opportunity to work in Canada during or after your studies and gain valuable Canadian work experience
• Possibility to apply for permanent residence in Canada after your studies if you meet the eligibility criteria

However, studying in Canada also has some challenges for international students, such as:

• High cost of tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, airfare, and other costs that may require financial assistance or planning
• Competitive admission process that may require high academic performance, test scores, essays, letters of recommendation, and other documents
• Complex visa process that may require timely application, accurate information, supporting documents, fees, and biometrics
• Cultural adjustment that may require coping with language barriers, culture shock, homesickness, loneliness, discrimination, or racism
• Academic adjustment that may require adapting to different teaching styles, learning methods, evaluation systems, or academic integrity standards
• Career adjustment that may require finding relevant jobs, networking with employers, obtaining work permits, or meeting professional accreditation requirements

How to Apply for a Canada Study Scholarship and Visa

If you are interested in applying for a Canada study scholarship and visa, you will need to follow these steps:

• Research your options and choose the type of scholarship and visa that suit your goals, interests, and budget. You can use websites such as EduCanada, [ScholarshipsCanada], [Yconic], etc. to search for scholarships and [Canada.ca] to learn about visas.
• Check the eligibility criteria and deadlines of the scholarship and visa you are interested in and prepare the necessary documents such as transcripts, test scores, essays, letters of recommendation, financial statements, passport, acceptance letter, etc.
• Apply online or by paper to the scholarship and visa you have selected and pay the application fees if required. You can use websites such as Study in Canada Scholarships, [Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships], [Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program], etc. to apply for scholarships and Application to study in Canada – Study permits or [Visitor visa: How to apply] to apply for visas.
• Wait for the scholarship and visa decisions and accept the offer from the scholarship provider and the visa officer. You can check the status of your scholarship.