One of the starting points of anyone who desires to study in Canada is getting a student visa. Although not everyone who desires a student visa eventually gets it, this is because there are criteria which qualifies a person to get a student visa, which some students do not meet. There are many reasons a Canadian student visa will be denied, but among the lot, here are 5 reasons that you can keep in mind, in your quest to apply for a student visa.
These five reasons can get your Canadian student visa denied
1. Not having a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institute (DLI)
You can only qualify for a Canadian student visa if you have received admission to a Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI). A DLI is a university or college that is allowed to accept international students. Once you secure admission, your institution will send you a Letter Of Acceptance (LOA), which must be attached to your application. If you submit a student visa application without a letter of acceptance, or if your Letter Of Acceptance (LOA) is not from an authorized Designated Learning Institute (DLI) in Canada, your student visa application will be denied.
2. Inadequate proof that you’ll leave Canada after your studies
Officials in the visa office will want to verify whether you’ll leave Canada after completing your studies. As an international student, one of the conditions for being granted a Canadian student visa is that you cannot stay in Canada illegally after your study visa expires. Upon completion of your studies, stating your intention to stay back in Canada afterward can lead to the visa application being denied.
3. Lack of Financial Security
Being able to prove that you have enough funds to cover the cost of your education in Canada is essential to your approval of your Canadian student visa application. If you are unable to provide sufficient documentation showing that you have paid your tuition fee for the year or have the money to pay for it, you will be denied a student visa. Also, not being able to show that your cost of living can be funded can lead to the denial of a student visa to Canada. It is also important to state the source of your funds, either from your savings, bank loans, scholarships, grants, etc.
4. Inconsistent or Incomplete Academic Records
When applying for a Canadian student visa, you must submit your prior education credentials, transcripts, and mark sheets with your visa application. Your academic records help to prove the validity of your past degrees or certifications and your track record as a good student. If your documents are incomplete or your past academic performance is inconsistent, your Canadian student visa application will be denied. Also, suppose your study program is not aligned with your projected career path or earlier education. In that case, the visa officer may not be convinced that your primary motivation for coming to Canada is not education. This may lead to your visa being denied.
5. Low Language Test Score
Proficiency in English (or French if you’re going to study in Quebec or enroll in a French-language program) is an essential criterion to qualify for a student visa. A poor score on an approved language test, such as IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada, will likely be a reason to be denied a Canadian student visa.
Some useful tips to avoid being denied a Canadian student visa
One way to avoid being denied a Canadian student visa is to understand what the IRCC looks for in visa applications and the reasons for being denied. Now that you know 5 reasons a Canadian student visa is denied, here are a few useful tips to avoid being denied the visa:
Use a document checklist to ensure you submit all required paperwork
The document requirements for student visas can vary from country to country, so make sure you make available all documents on your document checklist. Don’t hesitate to include additional documents that might not be on the checklist but you think it’ll improve your chances of getting your Canadian student visa approved. For instance, showing proof of an asset in your home country can convince the visa officials that you will return to your home country upon completion of your studies.
Make sure the university or college you apply to is a DLI
Only Canadian Designated Learning Institutes (DLIs) accept international students. So before you apply to a university or college in Canada, verify that it is on the government’s Designated Learning Institute (DLI) list because getting admission into a school that is not a Designated Learning Institute will lead to a Canadian student visa being denied.
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Choose your study program wisely
The program you plan to study in Canada should be related to your prior education or work experience. If there is no direct correlation between your program of study and your existing career path, you should be able to explain how the skills you will acquire through your program of study will help you improve in your career. For instance, if you studied corporate communication in your home country and want to study information technology in Canada, you may highlight how the IT knowledge will help you improve your career as a corporate communicator in an organization.
Provide sufficient financial proof
If you’re applying through the general study permit stream, you can provide proof of financial support in the form of bank statements, proof of scholarship, education loan, etc. If you’re applying for a Canadian student visa through the Student Direct Stream (SDS), make sure you have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of at least $20,635 ($15,078 if you’ll be studying in Quebec). Financial institutions may deduct a processing fee or administration charge from the amount you deposit, so be sure to add that amount to your GIC payment. The funds you put into the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) will be returned to you to help cover part of your living expenses during your studies. You’ll also have to show that you’ve paid the first year’s tuition and accommodation costs. The more funds you show, the better the chances your Canadian student visa will be approved.
Improve your language test score
If the initial score of your language test is low, be prepared to retake the tests to improve it. Spend time practicing before retaking the language test, as a good score will increase your chances of securing admission into a Canadian college or university and getting a Canadian student visa. Some of the language tests include; IELTS, CELPIP, TCF or TEF Canada.
Some things to do if you are denied a Canadian student visa
- Defer your studies by a semester or two and get ample time to reapply for a Canadian student visa.
- Request the services of an immigration lawyer authorized to practice law in Canada to review your application. However, this approach should only be used as a last resort if you’re confident you were unfairly denied the Canadian student visa.
Conclusion
The pursuit of your academic aspirations of studying in Canada anchors on your qualification for a Canadian student visa, and in most cases, the uncertainty of getting the visa can be stressful. However, by following the few tips shared in this article, you can avoid some mistakes that might lead to you being denied the visa. And if you have already been denied the Canadian student visa, not to worry, you can follow these tips, boost your application and reapply at a later date.
