Study permit for PhD studies

[und3rd06012]

Hello everyone,

I got accepted in one of the universities of Canada and I have applied for my study permit. I got accepted for PhD studies in Computer Science with the stipend of 25800 CAD approximately per year for 4 years (so total ~103200 CAD). I am an EU citizen, I submitted my biometrics. I finalized my application on the 25th of October and I submitted biometrics on the 29th of October. I also provided a bank statement that shows an adequate amount to live for the first month (actually 2 months almost). I am checking on the IRCC portal and I just noticed that they did not provide an estimate nor the "Progress Bar" has moved at all.

I am supposed to be there on the 1st of January 2025.

Has ever happened this before to people who apply with passports originated/issued from the EU or in general?

Should I notify the university that I may delay?

I have heard that Canada is reducing International students that are allowed to enter the country. Do you believe that this could be a problem for people who actually receive a monthly "salary" and go there for PhD studies? (not bachelor's and master's). Or it does not matter the degree?

(I know that you can not know for sure. I am just asking for similar opinions/experiences. Assuming also that I did everything correctly in my study permit application.)

 

[Naturgrl]

Processing times will depend on what country applying from. As for reducing number, yes Canada is but if doing a Phd then you have a better change than most.

 

[und3rd06012]

Thank you for your very fast reply.
I come from Greece and I have heard that the Greek application are being reviewed processed in Rome, Italy. I do not know if it is true though.
Since they start examining my application do you know by any chance how many days/weeks they may require to reach a decision?

 

[canuck78]

Thank you for your very fast reply.
I come from Greece and I have heard that the Greek application are being reviewed processed in Rome, Italy. I do not know if it is true though.
Since they start examining my application do you know by any chance how many days/weeks they may require to reach a decision?

When did you apply? How much funds did you show since 28.k/yr is unlikely to be enough to live off of especially in some areas of Canada. Also assume you don’t get full stipend upfront so you need funds to secure somewhere to live. That said it is much easier to secure a study permit for a Phd than most other degrees and coming from an EU country also helps.

 

[und3rd06012]

I applied on the 25th of October and on the 29th of October I also submitted biometrics.
I though the stipend is divided per month and each month at the end you get your "salary".
Isn't that how it works?

 

[und3rd06012]

I asked my supervisor and a friend of mine who is already there in his team and they reassured me that you get paid every month and it starts from the end of the first month.
If you know: for London, Ontario isn't ~21k enough to live there? (of course it is about the lifestyle someone's got, but I will be a single PhD student, just to be able to afford to cover the basics and not be homeless. )

BTW, thank you for jumping in and replying to my questions!

 

[Copingwithlife]

I asked my supervisor and a friend of mine who is already there in his team and they reassured me that you get paid every month and it starts from the end of the first month.
If you know: for London, Ontario isn't ~21k enough to live there? (of course it is about the lifestyle someone's got, but I will be a single PhD student, just to be able to afford to cover the basics and not be homeless. )

BTW, thank you for jumping in and replying to my questions!

You’re coming to do your PHD. Go on line and do some basic research

$21,000 is below the poverty line for London

https://www.ontariolivingwage.ca/rates

Seriously need to do some research on how expensive living in Canada is . Before coming .
Don’t be one of those people doing no research, coming here , then being surprised
Don’t be a food bank candidate BEFORE you have even arrived. There’s no excuse for that .

Zero excuses

Keep in mind . Canada is a country that imports goods. Food etc . Canadian dollar is dropping in value in relation to the USD, due to the divergence of interest rates .
Hence those food prices that are already expensive, will get even more expensive

 

[und3rd06012]

Thank you for your reply.
I did my research. I asked several people. Also I looked up online. Just like you mention.
Other people are like me there and they told me it is fine. Also my supervisor mentioned the same thing. I even asked people who did their master's (not even PhD) there (Toronto actually, not London) and the funding they got was from their parents and they told me it will be fine. Obviously not comfortable at all. Thrifty a lot, but I will make it.
Now who should I believe? The internet? The people there? You?
The university also provided me similar information.
I looked up how are rents there, how much food will cost, etc...
I am trying to cross validate from several sources.
So yeah, I actually did and still doing my research.
I am also planning to work extra there either in the university (extra hours teaching or research) or in some company part time there (I think they allow me part-time only according to the study permit). Obviously I can not plan that beforehand.

I think you need to relax a little.
I am just asking for some advices/similar experiences.

If that makes you angry you can just not reply to my thread.
As for the comments to "go on line and do some basic research" and "zero excuses" I will just leave it there....

 

[canuck78]

I asked my supervisor and a friend of mine who is already there in his team and they reassured me that you get paid every month and it starts from the end of the first month.
If you know: for London, Ontario isn't ~21k enough to live there? (of course it is about the lifestyle someone's got, but I will be a single PhD student, just to be able to afford to cover the basics and not be homeless. )

BTW, thank you for jumping in and replying to my questions!

You only applied for a study permit very recently. You need savings to be able to establish a life in Canada. Just securing a place to live will likely require proof of funds to cover many months of rent and 2 months rent upfront is typically require to rent a home. 21k is tough to live on even in London and ON and that doesn’t account for initial purchases as a newcomer or travel to Canada.

 

[und3rd06012]

I understand completely.
Thanks for letting me know beforehand.
I have given some proof of funds. It is bank statement with ~3.4k cad (in euros)
Probably I will have to provide even stronger financial background.
I will ask also for a letter from my supervisor that my tuition is covered for 4 years because in the letter of acceptance it is not mentioned but my supervisor told me verbally during the interview that he will cover it.
I will update this thread once I have some updates for future reference for other people.

 

[und3rd06012]

Hello again everyone!
I got approved a few days ago.
They never gave me an estimate nor did the progress bar moved at all.
I just woke up one day and I saw that they approved my application.
Still I have the borders to receive my study permit, but I think it is a good first step

I think even though my welcome letter, which mentions my funding, was not stating the correct amount of money I will be receiving per month in the end either the immigration officers found out by themselves after doing investigating and asking the university (maybe) or in my case it does not matter much. (?)

My funding is around 2000 cad per month for the winter semester and there is also the possibility to be the same way for the summer semester as well if I ask for extra RA/TA hours.

Anyway thank you all very much for your help!

P.S.: I may come back just to provide some evidence if 2000 CAD is survivable in London, ON.

 

[kazesora]

Hello again everyone!
I got approved a few days ago.
They never gave me an estimate nor did the progress bar moved at all.
I just woke up one day and I saw that they approved my application.
Still I have the borders to receive my study permit, but I think it is a good first step

I think even though my welcome letter, which mentions my funding, was not stating the correct amount of money I will be receiving per month in the end either the immigration officers found out by themselves after doing investigating and asking the university (maybe) or in my case it does not matter much. (?)

My funding is around 2000 cad per month for the winter semester and there is also the possibility to be the same way for the summer semester as well if I ask for extra RA/TA hours.

Anyway thank you all very much for your help!

P.S.: I may come back just to provide some evidence if 2000 CAD is survivable in London, ON.

It ultimately depends on your lifestyle. If you accept living with others, that's probably fine. But if you have to find a 1 br apartment for yourself alone, 2000 after tax withhold barely covers the rent

 

[Naturgrl]

Hello again everyone!
I got approved a few days ago.
They never gave me an estimate nor did the progress bar moved at all.
I just woke up one day and I saw that they approved my application.
Still I have the borders to receive my study permit, but I think it is a good first step

I think even though my welcome letter, which mentions my funding, was not stating the correct amount of money I will be receiving per month in the end either the immigration officers found out by themselves after doing investigating and asking the university (maybe) or in my case it does not matter much. (?)

My funding is around 2000 cad per month for the winter semester and there is also the possibility to be the same way for the summer semester as well if I ask for extra RA/TA hours.

Anyway thank you all very much for your help!

P.S.: I may come back just to provide some evidence if 2000 CAD is survivable in London, ON.

Congrats! $2k is doable if you live with others and are in place that covers utilities, wi-fi etc. Look at different phone/data plans.

 

[und3rd06012]

Thank you all for your kind words and help with my issue!
Yes, indeed, I will be sharing an apartment! Everything is included with a 650 CAD per month lease.
Probably the rest of the expenses will be a mobile phone number, food and going out (although I am not that type of person that goes out a lot ).