Canada Student Visa Application - FAQ

 

STUDENT PATHWAY (Part 2) FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Note: Student Pathway lang po talaga…

1. Magkano ang Show Money? - Show money may deceive you by thinking that it will really end up as “show” money (aka pwedeng-utangin-muna-then-ibabalik-pag-na-approve-na). NO! Big NO! If you think this is possible in other streams, in student pathway, you CANNOT. The funds you used to “show” in your application should be proven accessible UNTIL YOU ENTER Canada. So this cannot be returned to wherever you took the funds from. This is not necessarily in cash form but could be presented as manager’s cheque or bank drafts (other forms available in cic website).

So how much do you actually need? Depende sa school kung san ka makakakuha ng LOA (Letter of Acceptance). Tuition from schools are not the same so when you do your computation, make sure you INCLUDE your whole expenses for the school and your funds for 1 yr (10,000CAD). If your course is longer, more funds will be needed. Do the math (mahina ako jan hehe). If you are to go with a family member, you will add 4,000 CAD per year for the 1st family member and 3,000 cad per year for the 2nd family member and succeeding members. Again, do the math You can consult cic website for a clearer picture of this. In my case, our savings account plus the accounts of my parents put together were indicated clearly in my SOP.

2. How much ang expenses when you decide to take this path? – Expenses vs Proof of Funds. Expenses are the money you need to cash out to prepare your documents and requirements in preparation for your application. This also includes expenses for accompanying family members.

So what are these exactly? (Paki total nalang po.)

• IELTS Exam – Academic ONLY for schools that require it. Again, check if you need to take it before booking for an exam. You may need to contact the school directly for this information. You may also need to enroll for review classes if you’re a first timer. This costs around 9,000 pesos depends kung British Council or IDP. If you need to review, include the review fees as well.

• Transcript of Records – Schools may require this when they process your eligibility so make sure you have copies of these or you may have to request these in your respective schools.

• NBI Clearance – 150 pesos. Color blue multipurpose clearance. Eto na po ang latest.

• Birth Certificate(s), Marriage License

• Passport Application especially to those na malapit na mag-expire. I-renew na yan at baka mabitin ang validity.

• Digital Picture – Specs are available in cic website

• Medical Exam – can be upfront or you may wait for the medical request if you wish. Advantage? Opinion ko lang, mas gusto ko yung may medical request kesa sa upfront. You know you’re on the next step if they sent you a request. Though upfront medical ayus din kasi you can go get your medical exam the moment you feel you are healthy and not stressed.

* Visa Fee - SP+ OWP around 17k pesos po.

• Contingency – includes transportation while you are processing the requirements, Atty fees when you need affidavit of support, bank certificates and statement of account requests and other expenses you may incur while completing your application.

3. How long will the process take? – Lodging of student permit application per se is about 6 weeks in average. Ours took 32 days to get approved. It really depends on how fast you can comply with the requirements. It is the longest 32 days of our lives. (Grabeeeh)

Requirements from the school of choice to be given LOA also vary so it really depends on your pace. Note that finding the right school and thinking about the course to take also eat time, so organize your schedule wisely.

4. Can I bring my spouse with me (as Open Work Permit)? Can we lodge the application together? – YES and YES. Kelangan lang din to ng diskarteng petmalu. While it is possible to bring even your entire family in applying for student permit, you need to strategize your technique in doing so. Huwag bira ng bira. You need to consider this as well when writing your SOPs, you have to explain EVERYTHING. Why are you bringing your family members with you? Why is it important that you are together? Do you have ENOUGH FUNDS for the entire family?

Children are also to be considered in doing your application. How old are they? Do you need someone else to tend to them when you’re busy studying and your spouse working? Can you manage the household with that set-up? Remember that while you are adjusting to the new environment, your children do too. Ponder on that scenario when all of you are adjusting but needs to do work or study and also be parents to your children. Kung kaya naman, then push through with the application. If you have doubts you can do it, especially if you don’t have relatives in Canada, maybe you can postpone (not cancel) bringing your family with you.

5. Does Student Path have age limit? – Wala po. Pero like sir Nyorks Abayon always say, issue ang gap of study with connection to age. The VO may doubt your true intentions in being a student. “Why only now and not when you’re younger?” You NEED to explain and justify your situation in your SOP.

6. Can I apply for PR after studying? – It is not the Canadian Education that will give your application a boost (though it can also boost it, not so much though) but the 1 year Canadian Skilled Work (under NOC A B 0) experience after studying. Make sure you have enrolled in a public school so you can be given a Post Graduate Work Permit after you finish school. That 1 yr skilled work will be your ticket to Permanent Residency. Process is not automatic so you have to apply this the moment you have already complied with the requirements aka Graduated from school. Tyaga tyaga lang po.

7. What are the different public schools in Canada? – You HAVE TO research this po on your own. Available po yan lahat sa CIC website, what are the different schools that offer PGWP (Post graduate work permit). You know your skills and education background by heart so you need to choose the right course and right school for you.

To sum up, mas alam nyo po ang kaya nyo gawin at hindi. So it is better for you to do most of these ON YOUR OWN (suggestion lang naman). Para wala po tayo masisi sa course, sa school at sa province kung san kayo pupunta.

Remember that it is your future at stake so DO NOT follow paths of others but make your own. Use them as your guide instead as you journey for a better future.

Disclaimer: I am not a consultant. The pieces of advice I share in the group are all steps I took through our Canadian journey (failed several times as well). I also still have a lot to learn. Sama-sama po tayo lahat matuto. Many thanks po sa lahat. Sana po makatulong ito. *bow*

Original post by: Leah Zen Eslava Cabusao from Facebook group #PinoyCanada - Student Pathway