Studying in Canada.

If you are Colombian or Ecuadorian and wish to study in Canada for a period of less than six (6) months, you need a temporary resident visa If you wish to study for a period of six (6) months or more, you need a STUDY PERMIT. Colombian and Ecuadorian nationals must obtain this permit before travelling to Canada.

Applying for a Study Permit

• You must present a temporary residence visa application to the Embassy during our hours of service.
• The Embassy reserves the right to take 15 working days before giving a decision on your application, for that reason we recommend that you do not purchase airplane tickets before receiving the decision.
• Please do not phone the Embassy in order to learn about the status of your application, the Privacy Act does not allow us to give information on your application.
• The Embassy will inform you when a final decision has been taken, and will let you know when you can come to pick up your passport and other documents.
• Do not send any document by fax or by email.
• There are no personal interviews, unless an official requires it.
• A final decision will be taken based on the documents provided.
• Applicants presenting false documents, omitting important information, or who do not declare truthful information about their relatives in Canada or about their situation in Colombia, will have their application refused and will not be able to apply for any type of visa in the following two (2) years.

List of Documents Required to Apply

• Receipt of payment for a study permit. Please note that the permit includes a visa to enter Canada.
• Forms: Application for a Study Permit, Additional Family Information and Use of a Representative, if applicable
  • Completed in full with your signature and date. If there is information missing, your application might be returned to you and could be refused. If you need to leave blank spaces, please inscribe “N/A” in these spaces.
• Two (2) passport-sized photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm, white background)
• Passport valid for at least one year and your previous passports, if applicable.
• If you are going to stay with friends or relatives in Canada:
  • Photocopy of the permanent resident card (both sides), Canadian visa or document of Canadian citizenship.
  • Invitation letter from the relative or friend, letter from his/her employer and his/her most recent “Notice of Assessment” of Revenue Canada
• Children under 18 years of age without their own financial means:
  Financial proofs of the relatives living with you and of the persons who will pay for your trip.
• Originals and copies of your income tax reports of the past two (2) years, and pay stubs.
• Originals and copies of statements of your bank account for the past three (3) months, showing that you have sufficient funds for your trip.
• Letter from your employer indicating position, length of service, salary, and dates of vacation allowed.
• If your trip is paid by a scholarship, you should nevertheless present your own financial documentation.
• If your educational institution in Colombia or the educational institution in Canada pay for your trip and/or studies, this must be stated in the letter.
• Certification from your college or university indicating the type of studies you are doing, length of studies required to graduate, vacation period and proof of admission for the following semester/year.
• Children under 18 years of age travelling without one of their parents:
  • Letter of custody (from the person responsible during the trip).
  • Birth certificate
  • Notarized letter from the parents giving custody of their child to a person or entity in Canada, and letter from that person or entity accepting the custody of the child for the period of the trip.
  • Authorization from the parents addressed to the Embassy mentioning destination and duration of stay in Canada.
• Persons with a military rank or having served in the military must fill out an additional document Military Service Details
• If you are divorced, please provide complete information on your ex-spouse on the Additional Family Information form.
• Students destined to the province of Québec need to obtain the approval of the government of Québec. Please contact your educational institution in Québec to obtain information on how to obtain a “Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ)”. The Embassy will contact you once we have received the CAQ and all the other requirements have been met. The Embassy cannot give you information on the processing of your CAQ. For more information on how to obtain a CAQ, you can contact:

Ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés culturelles du Québec
Service aux étudiants étrangers
285, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, rez-de-chaussée, bureau G-15
Montréal (Québec)
Canada H2Y 1T8
Phone number: (514) 864-9191

• On a sheet, provide a detailed description of your studies in Canada. You must include your itinerary, and names and addresses of the institutions and contacts where you will be studying. If you are travelling with another person, please indicate the names and addresses of the persons who will be accompanying you.
• Complete a medical examination
• Proof that you have a medical insurance in case of necessity in Canada.

Presentation of these documents does not guarantee the issuance of the permit. Fees cover the processing of your application, not the issuance. Fees are also non-refundable. Decisions are final and will not be reconsidered after a refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can also consult the official webpage of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for more information.