If you're a prospective student in Canada who is coming from India, you will find this step-by-step guide to your application process invaluable. If you have not yet decided on what program to apply for in Canada, we suggest that you use the handy Canadian School Finder to obtain a list of suggestions to help you narrow down and match your interests and background. The 4-step Canadian School Finder questionnaire is also available on the right side of this page, and can be accessed at any time.

We have compiled a few different case studies that will help you have an idea of the application process for Indian students wishing to study in Canada. They have varying scenarios regarding marital status, length of program, and location of institution (i.e. province or territory). To determine if you must provide any additional forms or information, contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada offices at New Delhi or Chandigarh.

Case Study 1: Single Student, Undergraduate Program, Ontario University

Required Steps

• Apply to a school in the Canadian School Finder
  
• Apply for Study Permit
• Apply for Temporary Resident Visa
• Pay processing fees ($125 in Canadian funds, non-refundable regardless of approval status)
• Submit proof of Immigration Medical Examination
• Submit Police Certificates/Certificate of Good Conduct: Criminal record (at the discretion of the CIC officer)
• Submit change of contact information (if changes happen before application process is completed) to your local CIC office

Case Study 2: Single Student, Graduate Certificate Program (6 months or less), Ontario College

Required Steps

• Apply to a school in the Canadian School Finder
  
• Apply for Study Permit
• Apply for Temporary Resident Visa
• Pay processing fees ($75 for single entry, $150 for multiple entries) in Canadian funds
• Submit change of contact information (if changes happen before application process is completed) to your local CIC office
  

Note: If you foresee  extending your stay by pursuing further study programs, make sure to apply for a study permit in addition to your Temporary Resident Visa.

Case Study 3: Married Student, Graduate Program (1 to 5 years), British Columbia University

Required Steps

• Apply to a school in the Canadian School Finder
  
• Apply for Study Permit
• Apply for Temporary Resident Visa
• Pay processing fees ($125 in Canadian funds, non-refundable regardless of approval status)
• Submit proof of Immigration Medical Examination
• Submit Police Certificates/Certificate of Good Conduct: Criminal record (at the discretion of the CIC officer)
• Submit change of contact information (if changes happen before application process is completed) to your local CIC office
• Submit certified copy of Marriage Certificate or Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union
  

Note: If your spouse or common-law partner will be pursuing a study program, make sure to submit a separate study permit application for them in addition to the Temporary Resident Visa mentioned above.

Case Study 4: Married Student with Children, Diploma Program (1 to 2 years), Quebec College

Required Steps

• Apply to a school in the Canadian School Finder
  
• Apply for Study Permit
• Apply for Temporary Resident Visa
• Pay processing fees ($125 in Canadian funds, non-refundable regardless of approval status)
• Submit proof of Immigration Medical Examination
• Submit Police Certificates/Certificate of Good Conduct: Criminal record (at the discretion of the CIC officer)
• Submit change of contact information (if changes happen before application process is completed) to your local CIC office
• Submit certified copy of Marriage Certificate or Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union
• Submit certified copies of Birth Certificates
• Submit a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (Quebec Certificate of Acceptance, or CAQ) issued by the Ministère des Relations avec les citoyens et de l'Immigration (MRCI)

Note: If any of your dependents will be pursuing study programs, make sure to submit a separate study permit application for each of them in addition to the Temporary Resident Visa mentioned above.

The Bottom Line

Still not sure about where you fit in this equation? Try the Canadian School Finder to get program ideas and options available to you.