Canadian Student Visa for Ghanaians: Requirements and Guidelines

Most Ghanaians want to study in Canada because of the top notch quality of education they stand to gain. Canada is a country with a lot of opportunities either during studies and after studies.

The benefit of studying in Canada is that you get the right to bring your family as well as a spouse with you.

Don’t forget, there is the possibility of getting integrated into the Canadian society after school through the permanent residency(PR) route

To study in Canada as a Ghanaian student, you need to meet some requirements. Follow me as I show you how to acquire your student visa by meeting the right requirements.

It promises to be interesting, trust me!

Keep Learning: How to Study in Canada for Ghanaian Students – A Step-by-Step Guide

Canadian visa requirements for Ghanaians

There are several visas available to people who wants to travel to Canada

These visas are based on the purpose of their travel but they all have similar requirements.

Visitor Visa

This is ideal for tourists who want to stay for a period of 6 months.Some use it for short business engagements.

Study Visa

This visa, also called study permit, is suitable for Ghanaian students who want to go to school in Canada.

Work Visa

If you want to work in Canada and gain experience to fast track your permanent residency, this is the best route to go.

Permanent Resident Visa

This is the last step towards gaining Canadian citizenship. Routes include being skilled workers, nominated investors, or family-backed candidates.

Business Visa

Mainly for business oriented individuals, this visa is a stepping stone to residency.

Transit Visa

This visa is for those not staying but merely transitioning. Tailored for brief 48-hour layovers, it helps travelers in transit. If Canada’s on your route to another destination, secure this. It ensures you’re not grounded and enables you to have a seamless trip..

To apply for a Canada visa from Ghana, there are three main conditions applicants must obey. Applicants must have a valid passport, be in good health, and have no criminal record.

Some other Canadian visa requirements are:

• Financial Requirements
• Documentation and Paperwork
• Language Proficiency Tests
• Health and Medical Examinations
• Police Clearance Certificates

Canadian student visa fee in Ghana

To apply for your study permit, you are required to pay a certain amount of money.

You need to pay 150 CAD which is approximately 1,430 cedis.

This fee is only payable online. You can’t transact using cash.

Canada student visa requirements for Ghanaians

If you desire to study in Canada as a Ghanaian, there are some requirements you need to meet for your visa to be approved.You need to have the following:

• A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI)
• A valid passport or travel document.
• A provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where you plan to study
• Proof of financial support.

Documents requirement for Canada student visa for Ghanaians

Some of the documents required are:

• Valid Passport.
• Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution.(DLI)
• Proof of Funds.
• Passport Size Photographs.
• Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
• English Language Proficiency Exam Score.
• Statement of Purpose.
• Credit Card.

Common Obstacles During Canada Visa Application

• Incomplete documents.
• Low language proficiency.
• Insufficient funds.
• Ill health
• Criminal record.
• Incorrect filling of form
• Application timing.
• Inadequate information.

Proof of acceptance to a Canadian educational institution for Ghanaians.

As a Ghanaian student planning to study in Canada, you will need a letter of acceptance to apply for your study visa.

The letter of acceptance must include the institution’s letterhead, full mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail and Website addresses if applicable.

Please note that the educational institution should provide all information required in the letter of acceptance for it to be considered valid.

Financial requirements for Canada student visa for Ghanaians

The Canadian government  announced an increase in the cost-of-living financial requirement for international students applying for a study permit.

Starting from January 1, 2024, intending  students must now have about 20,635 CAD in funds, more than double the previous requirement of 10,000 CAD.

Keep Learning: Managing the Cost of Study in Canada for Ghanaian Students

English language proficiency requirement for Canada students visa for Ghanaians

The preferred language proficiency test is IELTS (International English Language Testing System) A minimum overall band score of 6.0 is needed to be eligible to apply for a student visa.

Keep Learning: Study in Canada without IELTS

Medical examination requirements for Canada student visa for Ghanaians

To apply for a Canadian study visa, you will need to carry out a comprehensive medical examination.

The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, chest X-ray, and blood tests for syphilis.

The physical examination will at least include an examination of the eyes, ears, nose and throat, extremities, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, and skin.

You can only apply if you are certified medically fit and you have a certificate of fitness.

Visa application process for Ghanaians studying in Canada

Before you apply for a student visa, you must understand the process. Compile all  the documents you need before applying for it. To ensure a high rate of success, make sure you meet all requirements.

You need to compile the following:

• A valid passport.
• Two recent passport photos.
• Proof that shows the educational institution has accepted you.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to overcome all the living expenses and study costs in Canada.

Step by Step Application Process

To apply for your student visa, you need to follow the steps.

• Find out if you are eligible for a Canada visa.
• Create your online account on the website.
• Compile the document file.
• Pay the fees.
• Wait for processing of your Canadian visa.
• Submit your passport and processing fees.

Processing Time for Canada Student Visa for Ghanaians

A Ghanaian student intending to study in Canada must have an idea of the time his or her student visa takes for complete approval. The standard Canada student visa processing time is approximately 7-9 weeks, that is roughly 3 months to be processed.

It could be less than that, it all depends on the number of applications submitted to be processed. The more the applications, the longer time it takes to get approved.

Study permit Requirements for Ghanaians Studying in Canada

“There is a difference between a study permit and a student visa”. 

A student visa allows you to enter  Canada, while a study permit gives you the authority to stay in the country and study.

To apply for a study permit, you need the following:

• A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit.
• Payment of the prescribed fee.
• A vaccination certificate.
• Proof of funds

Biometrics requirements for Canada student visa for Ghanaians

This is a requirement for your Canada student visa as a Ghanaian. Biometric for Canada Student Visa will include electronic fingerprints and a digital photo. It is a distinctive way of securing data as compared to manual means.

For example, take the case of a signature. Anyone can easily copy a signature.This is a practice done by criminals hence, it is not a safe way to secure confidential information.

On the other hand, biometrics, such as fingerprints or eye scans, cannot be faked. A visa officer will analyze any matches to existing records before making a decision on your application.

Documents required for biometrics canada study visa

You need the following documents for your biometrics as a Ghanaian student studying in Canada.

• Biometrics instruction letter.
• Email from Service Canada confirming your biometrics appointment time.
• Valid passport

Keep Learning: Canada Admission Requirements for Ghanaians – All You Need To Know

Conclusion

Studying in Canada is a dream come through for many Ghanaian students. To be eligible to study in Canada, you need to meet all the requirements outlined in this article.

Do you still need help, submit your documents to get ready assistance from us now!

Let us make your dreams come through.