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Visitor Visa to Study Permit: How to Apply in Canada

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Visitor Visa to Study Permit: How to Apply in Canada

If you’re considering coming to Canada as a mature student, understanding how to effectively apply for a study permit is crucial. One viable option is to enter Canada with a visitor visa and then convert it to a study permit while in the country. This guide will help you understand how to change from a visitor visa to a study permit from within Canada, providing you with a strategic pathway to improve your chances of success.

Why Apply for a Study Permit from Inside Canada?

Applying for a study permit from inside Canada offers several benefits, especially for mature students who might face challenges when applying directly from their home country.

If you are over 25 years old and have a low IELTS score, you might find it nearly impossible to secure a study visa by applying directly to a Canadian university or college. Even meeting the IELTS score requirements doesn’t guarantee acceptance, with rejection rates as high as 50%.

If you are in the same predicament, consider another way to study abroad : transfer your visitor visa to the study permit!

Advantages of changing Visitor Visa to Study Permit in Canada

Faster Processing Time

Processing times for transferring from a visitor visa to a study permit can be completed within a month. This expedited process means you can start your studies sooner, allowing you to begin your pathway to immigration faster and work legally in Canada. This method serves as a shortcut to obtaining a Work Permit through the study pathway.

Fewer documentaries required

Compared to other immigration routes to Canada, converting a visitor visa to a study permit requires minimal proof of financial information. The overall requirements are significantly less stringent than other pathways. This makes it one of the most accessible, cost-effective, and successful methods for studying and even immigrating to Canada.

Spouse and children can also get work permits and education in Canada

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may also be able to apply for a visitor visa, work permit, or study permit. By changing a tourist visa to a study visa, you are allowed to study at a post-secondary designated learning institution.

The whole family can enjoy canada's free healthcare

With a study permit, you and your family may apply for a public healthcare card. It is very likely that you won’t have to pay for most healthcare services.

Free public schools for your children

Children of study visa holders may attend local public primary and secondary schools free of charge, provided they meet certain criteria. If you have lived in Canada for more than 18 months on a study visa or work visa, your children may also qualify for milk subsidies.

Take a part-time job to supplement the family income

Student visa holders are allowed to work part-time for no more than 20 hours per week while studying for a diploma or higher qualification.

Benefit of changing Visitor Visa to Study Permit in Canada

Mature Student - Visitor visa to study permit VS apply study permit outside Canada

Older students typically already have a degree and work history, which may lead the immigration officer to question the purpose of their study. Furthermore, some applicants may not have an IELTS score higher than 6.0, which means they do not meet the University’s language requirement for admission.

Conversely, older students generally have work experience and a steady income, which leads to a high application approval rate for a Canadian visitor visa and shorter processing times.

How can I change from a Visitor Visa to a Study Permit inside Canada?

The simple answer for this question is:

You can apply for a study permit inside Canada after you

Completed a short-term course or program of study that is a prerequisite to their enrolling at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

How can I change from a Visitor Visa to a Study Permit inside Canada?

Visitor Visa to Study Permit Application Process

1. Obtain a visitor visa to Canada

2. Choose a language school and prerequisite course

Not all Canadian language schools meet the requirement for students to apply for the “visitor visa to study permit pathway” in Canada. You can visit the DLI List to find them.

Create Career College (DLI: O19275297052) offers EAP-English Academic Preparation, ESL (English as a second language) courses, and IELTS instruction. CCC is a qualified DLI institution eligible for travel transfer applications.

CCC also offers a variety of courses (including paid internships), and the IELTS score is not required after completing language courses.

3. Language testing and admission

Applicants are required to complete a language test at the school to determine the length of the language program. Special attention is that, with the visitor visa, each entry can stay no more than 6 months; Therefore, applicants need to calculate their length of stay and course and then make a detailed plan to avoid the risk of being forced to leave Canada.

4. Complete language courses and receive offers from colleges/universities

Students should figure out the admission conditions and language requirements of the final school before entering the language course, and submit their application to the school immediately after completing the language test. The school will issue a letter of acceptance, also known as a Conditional Offer, to you within a short period.

5. Submit your visa application

If the visitor visa is still valid after the completion of the above, the applicant can submit the application for a study visa in Canada. Applicants can complete the application process by registering an IRCC secure account. Compared with applying for your first study visa, you need much fewer materials to submit your study visa in China. You need to prepare:

  • Your passport
  • Your visitor visa
  • Application form
  • Your offer
  • Letter of Explanation
  • Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

Converting your visitor visa to a study permit from inside Canada is a strategic option for mature students. This approach not only simplifies the process but also enhances your chances of securing a study permit, thereby opening doors to Canadian education and eventual immigration opportunities.

Create Career College (CCC) offers a range of courses, including prerequisite language courses and various diploma programs that include paid internships. Contact our Admission Department to discover how CCC can assist you in transitioning from a visitor visa to a study permit, offering a viable and efficient option to achieve your educational and career goal in Canada.

For more information on studying in Canada: http://ccccollege.com/  

Contact Us:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 (778) 379-0909

Address: 650-4789, Kingsway, Burnaby, BC Canada V5H 0A3