A Run

I’ve finally submitted my application to VFS for the Canada study permit. The application is in progress and I hope that things go smooth. I have already put down my papers at Oracle and March 2 will be my last day here.

This post is an attempt to provide a detailed outlook of how the visa application process works, for Indian candidates willing to pursue their education in Canada.

• Technically, the student visa for Canada is termed Study Permit
• One doesn’t typically need the help a visa representative or a consultant. The processes is fairly simple and clear
• In India, the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship (CIC) High commission visa offices are located at New Delhi and Chandigarh. One can directly submit the application to these visa offices (or) at any of the VFS centres located at New Delhi, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata.
• VFS Global is a Visa outsourcing Services Company that manages the administrative and non-judgmental tasks involved in the visa application process. They, as well, have partner with the Canadian high commission and most students who couldn’t personally make it to the CIC offices at Delhi/Chandigarh, can use the VFS services. Refer to the website http://www.vfsglobal.com/ for more details.
• Most important of all, one needs to satisfy the following in the visa application, as well as the visa officer (if an interview is required)
• Satisfy that you will leave Canada after studies
• Satisfy that you have sufficient funds to cover the expenses for you and those who accompany you
• Satisfy that those who accompany you are genuine temporary residents that will leave along with you, post studies
• Typically for study permits, there are no interviews (May be required if decided by the visa officer). However, there could be a medical examination.
• From the moment one submits the application, it might take 2 weeks to receive an initial response (such as requests for interview/medical examination). The entire process might take 4 to 6 weeks. Make sure to apply early. One can apply up to 90 days in advance. March to June is considered the busiest period.
• The application form, student questionnaire, checklist, representative forms (if submitted via representative), and other forms can be downloaded at http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/visaapplication.html and http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/student.asp
• CIC charges CAD$ 125 as application processing fee. And an add ional Rs.866 (Service charges, courier charges and payment processing charges), if you are submitting the application through VFS.
• Once you submit the application to VFS, they will hand over the copy of your passport with their seal affixed. This must be handed over to the courier representative at the time of passport collection. VFS does provide an option to track the passport. Please note that Passport is the only original document that you need to submit.
• Following is the checklist of documents that I had submitted along with the completed application form. Please note that not all the documents mentioned below are mandatory. Please consult the official checklist for details and its up to you to logically decide what additional documents you would submit to supplement mandatory ones.
1. Cover letter stating name of applicant, primary contact number, visa category, date of departure from India, program of study, name of school and list of all the enclosures.
2. VFS Consent form
3. CIC Checklist
4. Completed Application Form
5. Two Passport Size Photos
6. Completed Personal Information Form
7. Original Passport (New)
8. Cop of Passport (New and Old)
9. Letter of Acceptance
10. Information from School stating tuition. living expenses. etc and letter on anticipated start/finish dates
11. Copy of fee receipt (Caution deposit)
12. Student Questionnaire
13. Degree Certificates
14. Mark sheet Transcripts
15. 10th/12th Certificates
16. Statement of Purpose
17. Auditor’s (Chartered Accountant's) Statement of net worth of assets of family
18. Copy of GMAT score
19. Notarized affidavit by Father stating he is ready to sponsor, etc
20. Bank statements of my primary account for the past 24 months
21. Bank statements of my Family’s primary account for the past 24 months
22. Letter from Bank stating Mr.??? Is a bona fide customer since ???, etc.
23. Passbook copies
24. Education Loan Sanction Letter
25. Fixed Deposits Receipts
26. IT Returns 2007-2008 (Self)
27. IT Returns 2008-2009 (Self)
28. Form16s (Self)
29. Income tax Computation statements (Self)
30. Father's ID Card
31. Father's Pension Pay Order
32. Experience Certificates with previous companies (Self)
33. Offer letter current company (Self)
34. Provident Fund Statements (Self)
35. Salary Slip for the past two months (Self)
• Submit the following documents, if applicable.
1. Use of a Representative
2. Personal Documentation on Marriage/Children Status
3. Letter from dependant’s company stating she/he would return to work after the period of study of the spouse

Some Useful Templates and links:

1. Affidavit

Candidate's Name: ******

1^st Sponsor's Name: ******

1^st Sponsors’ relationship to candidate: Father

2nd Sponsors Name: ******

2^nd Sponsors’ relationship to applicant: Mother

Sponsors’ Mailing Address: ******

We, the above mentioned individuals are financial sponsors for ******, and certify that we agree to support the education of the person named above and living expenses for the person. We are aware that the official estimate of the annual cost for an international student attending the Richard Ivey school of Business, University of Western Ontario is CAD 106500. We are also aware that these estimates are subject to change without prior notice.

We do plan to make specific contributions to the support of the prospective student. We plan to contribute Rs. 25,00,000 (CAD 59,500) for ******’s study in Canada.

1st Sponsor's signature: ________________Date signed: ___________________

2nd Sponsor's signature: _______________ Date signed: ___________________

2. Useful links

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study.asp

http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/

http://www.vfsglobal.com/