Hello. I have been accepted to university and I have all the money requirements. Now I just want to ask something. I am heading for bachelors degree, which takes 4 years. So, when I get my student visa, how long will it be valid? Only one year or my whole education (4 years)? Because in USA, once u are granted, your visa dont expire as long as you are still studying, so i was wondering about canadian student visa? Because, I cant go over this every year for visa... its been hell for me... please answer me... thank u....
Study permit granted, is there need for a second study permit?
- Thread starter Scofield
- Start date
Sorry to burst your bubble buddy, for a 4 year degree they'll give you a one year visa first and once you are in Canada you can renew it. But its not that had to renew once you show you are attending school fulltime and registered for your courses.
NeedleArtist
Star Member
newtone said:
I strongly beg to differ with this information. The length of time that the study permit is valid for is based solely on your specific course of study/degree program. I'll tray to explain the specifics as best as I can.
My current situation/status: I'm currently enrolled in an Arts & Sciences transfer credit program at Langara College in Vancouver, BC, on a study permit as an international student. The first two years of my program are at Langara College, with all courses/credits fully transferable to the University of British Columbia (UBC) or Simon Fraser University (SFU), where I will complete the third and fourth years of my program leading to a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.
When you apply for admission to a college or university you're not only applying to be accepted to the school itself, but also into a specific curriculum/course of study/degree program. At the undergraduate level, you might for example, apply for a certificate program (normally 2 terms/1 year), a diploma program (usually 4 terms/2 years), an associate degree program (also 4 terms/2 years) or perhaps a bachelor degree program (3 to 4 years). Once you've decided what program and school you're interested in attending, you'll submit an application to that school's admissions office, along with a non-refundable application fee. The school will process your application and decide whether or not you meet the admissions criteria for the program you've chosen to apply for. Assuming you meet their standards and requirements, the school will then notify you that you've been accepted into the program and for which term (usually based on deadlines known to you at the time you submit the application.) Normally, this notification will come in the form of a conditional letter that includes further instructions for you to follow if you want to proceed. I say this because very often students will apply for admission to several different programs and to multiple colleges/universities.
Once you make your final decision to attend a particular school and program and in different provinces. This payment is only required to be made once (by first-term international students.) A much smaller commitment fee (in my case $500) is required from international students prior to being able to register for classes in subsequent terms. This commitment payment will be applied in full to your initial tuition and fees, and is fully refundable to you (less a small - circa $500 - administraive fee) in the event that your study permit application is subsequently rejected. Normally the entire payment is forfeit should you simply change your mind about your study plans, so make certain before paying the fee! Only a study permit rejection will get you any of this money back.
Now, heres the important part: After the above has been accomplished, the school will provide to you a formal letter stating that you've been accepted as an international student. It will specify the course of study yopu've been accepted for, as well as the starting and ending dates, and the total duration of, the program. It will further metion that you've made the initial payment (if applicable). You'll need this letter when you apply for your study permit, and the duration of the permit will be based on the content of that all-important letter. They'll tack on few extra weeks before and after to allow ypou time to find lodging, get settled in, etc., and to relocate once you complete your studies.
In my particular case, my permit was granted for a total of 50 months, since my letter specified that I'd be in a transfer program.
Best of luck to you in your goals!