International students need acceptance letter from the institution they intend to attend before applying for Canada Study Permit. When you apply to study abroad in Canada, you must get a letter of acceptance from the school you choose to study in. This acceptance letter is essential in their application for a Canadian study permit. This means without providing an acceptance letter, you will not be granted a study permit.
If you are submitting your application for students visa to IRCC (online or paper), you should include a scanned copy of the acceptance letter from university, college or other DLI‘s that you have been conditionally or unconditionally admitted to. If, on the other hand, you are submitting a paper-based application, you will include an original copy of the acceptance letter to the immigration officer.
It is important to note that your acceptance letter should clearly state the start date of the study program and the date of expiry. The study program, level, and year of study into which you were accepted; the DLI number of the school; the estimated date of completion of the study program should also be indicated on the acceptance letter.
The immigration, refugee, and citizenship Canada (IRCC) usually provide the template for the acceptance letter and the instructions for completing the required information. It should be pointed out that a Letter of Acceptance from your school is not a guarantee that the study permit application will be issued. It is at the discretion of the IRCC or immigration officer to approve an application for a study permit.
Conditional Letter of Acceptance
A conditional letter of acceptance may be issued to a foreign student to complete prerequisite courses in order to be admitted into a specific program.
For instance, the foreign student may be required to complete an English as a Second Language (ESL) course before pursuing the more advanced study program. In this scenario, a study permit is issued for the duration of the prerequisite course only. After successfully completing the program, the student may apply to extend a study permit for the next study program.
Sometimes, the immigration officer examining your application for a study permit renewal may request a letter from your school to confirm that you have been actively pursuing your studies. If you meet all the conditions, the officer would at his own decretion issue you a new study permit.
Exemptions from the Requirement for Acceptance Letter
Some foreign students may be exempt from the requirement for a Letter of Acceptance.
- If you receive written approval for a temporary work or study permit before coming to Canada, your family members may apply for a study permit without an Acceptance Letter.
- Any students who wish to pursue a study program for six months or less in duration may not need to get a Letter of Acceptance, because they do not require a study permit.
Study Permits for More than One School
If a student is applying for a study permit for a study program offered by more than one school, the Acceptance Letter should state this clearly.
Both schools must be accredited and authorized to receive international students. The Letter of Acceptance should be issued by the school issuing the degree, diploma, or certificate.
If the degree, diploma, or certificate is issued by more than one school jointly, an Acceptance Letter should be issued by the DLI or school where the student intends to begin his or her study program. In this scenario, the Letter of Acceptance should clearly state:
- The name, type, and location of the other DLI;
- The course(s) the foreign student intends to pursue at a different institution; and/or
- The semester(s) that the foreign student plans to spend at a different institution.
When the study permit is sent out, the school may be specified as the school that issued the Letter of Acceptance. However, other schools may be listed in the Remarks section of the study permit.
What Are The Requirements For Admission Letter?
As stated earlier, an acceptance letter is not only required but mandatory in the application for a Canadian study permit. For the purposes of a study permit application, all the following elements are required in the Acceptance Letter:
- Your full name, date of birth, and mailing address;
- ID number, if applicable;
- The name of the DLI, and the name of the official contact person;
- The contact information of the school or DLI;
- If it’s a private school, the licensing information for the school should be clearly stated
- The DLI number;
- The type of school or institution whether private or public post-secondary school, college or vocational school, etc;
- The program of study, level, and year of study into which you are accepted;
- The start date of the program of study, duration of the program, or estimated date of completion of the program;
- The estimated tuition fee, Scholarships, and other financial aid (if applicable)
- The latest date by which a student may register for the program of study;
- Whether the program is part-time or full-time;
- The details of a required internship or work placement, if applicable;
- The expiry date of the Acceptance Letter *;
- Conditions of acceptance to the school — this may include prerequisite courses, previous qualifications, or proof of language competence;
- For study in Quebec, the requirement of a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) must be clearly stated;
How to Obtain a Letter of Acceptance from a Post-secondary School In Canada?
The first major step to getting a letter of acceptance is to submit a complete application to the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) or Post-secondary school you are interested in attending.
You should be well informed that you must meet the school’s general admission requirements and other specific subject prerequisites as the case may be. Some DLIs would require you to submit a statement of interest as part of an application to study in their schools.
The general requirements usually include English or French language requirements depending on the primary language of instruction at the school.
Language requirements may vary based on the institution you choose to attend. For instance, if English is not your first language, you may be asked to provide proof of adequate language proficiency unless exemptions apply.
On the other hand, Program-specific requirements are based on whether or not a prospective foreign student has completed the required pre-requisites for the intended program.
In order to select prospective students, Canadian post-secondary schools may assess applicants on criteria beyond general and program-specific requirements, such as previous academic performances and perceived potential.
Some of the other common steps usually required in completing an application form are checking for application deadlines for foreign students and setting up of online profile in the school’s unique student portal.
In addition to the above, you may gather your other important documents such as certificates, official transcripts, passports, etc. Some schools may require you to upload your documents to their online portal.
Finally, reach out to the enrolment office at the intended school for further details on application requirements.
In conclusion, a Letter of Acceptance to study in Canada is mandatory, you will be one step further in your goal of studying in Canada.
Once you obtain this document, you should apply for your study permit immediately. Many successful applicants for a study permit got their confirmation within the estimated time frame – or even earlier in some cases– but delays are sometimes known to occur.
By applying as soon as you get your Acceptance Letter, you could save yourself stress later in the future. It is also important to note that the Letter of Acceptance should have an expiry date for your offer, so always watch out for this.
FAQ For Acceptance Letter To Study In Canada
Q. How long does it take to receive acceptance from Canadian universities?
A. Generally the time varies based on many parameters. The minimum time for a decision is 1–2 months. Especially for fall(sept) intake which is the major intake of Canada that duration may go to six months even. Some Canadian university admissions can be very time taking.
Q. Does Quebec schools issue an Acceptance Letter?
A. Yes, Quebec Colleges and Universities issue acceptance letters. Please be informed that if you intend to study in Quebec province, you will also need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) in addition to your Letter of Acceptance in order to apply for a study permit. In order to apply for a CAQ, you will need your Acceptance Letter in addition to other important documents depending on your country of residence.
Q. What questions do Canadian immigration officers ask to students?
A. During an interview visa or immigration officers mostly ask some of the questions below.
- Are you traveling with your family to Canada?
- How long do you intend to stay in Canada?
- How much money or funds do you have with you?
- Are you healthy?
- Have you been to Canada before?
Q. Why Canadian study visa gets rejected?
A. Mostly for Financial Reasons. As part of the Canadian visa and study permit application process, applicants must lodge a bank statement or bank certificate. Uncertainty in your ability to pay for tuition fees, travel expenses, and day-to-day living expenditures while in Canada are all reasons why an immigration officer may deny your application.
