Moving from the US to Study in Canada

Due to its close proximity to the United States, Canada is a popular choice for students that wish to take up their studies at colleges and universities that are outside of the United States. What you might not know is that there is a pretty good possibility that you will need to get a study visa for yourself before you make the move up to Canada to go to college or a university.

While not everyone that is coming to Canada to study at a Canadian college or university needs to be in possession of a student visa, some students do need them and it is important to know if you are one of the students that will be required to have one. If you do not have a study visa and you should have one, then you could end up not being allowed to take up your studies at the Canadian college or university that you are set to be enrolled at when the school year commences. Generally, if you are planning on coming to Canada to be a student at a Canadian college or university and you are not a Canadian citizen or a Landed Immigrant, then you will most likely need to apply for a study visa for yourself.

Under current rules and regulations, if you are planning on coming to Canada to be a student at a Canadian college or university for a period greater than 6 months, you will most definitely be required to obtain for yourself a study permit from one of the following: a Canadian consulate, high commission or embassy. You may be thinking of spending some time in a Canada first as a tourist. If you will be in Canada for a period of less than 6 months as a tourist, but plan to study in Canada for a period longer than 6 months after your tourist period then you should see about applying for and obtaining your study visa before you arrive in Canada as a tourist. It is important that you have the study visa prior to your arrival in Canada. If you do not have the study visa prior to your arrival in Canada as mentioned in the above scenario, you could actually be required to leave the borders of the country so that you can make the application for the study permit from the United States. Only then will you be able to return to Canada and continue your studies.

There are a few cases when you will not need to have a study visa. If you are planning on being a student in Canada for a period less than 6 months, you will not need to have a study visa. Of course, you will not be allowed to remain in the country as student if you do not finish your studies within 6 months in this case. If your parents are refugees or pursing permanent residency, then you will not need a study visa. And you will not need a study visa if you are a family member or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada that accredited by the Dept. of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.