How Long Does it Take to Get a Canadian Student Visa in Ghana

So you are interested in studying in Canada as a Ghanaian student? That’s lovely! You are excited at it like we are too.

But before we put in for a Canadian Study Visa, you want to know how long does it take to get a Canadian student visa in Ghana. Different sources say a lot of different things but according to the Canadian immigration service, if all things being equal, it will take about 3 months to secure this kind of visa. 

3 months is the minimum so don’t panic if after 90 days, your visa is still not being cleared. A study visa can last up to 6 months before being issued. So as you can see you are still in play in the 4th and 5th month after you have submitted your application forms. A week, three days or one month, how long does it take to get a Canadian student visa in Ghana?

This article will focus on the duration a Canadian student study visa gets approved by the immigration authorities. 

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Canadian Student Visa Requirements for Ghanaian Applicants 

These following are the Canadian student visa requirements for Ghanaians:

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Documents Needed for the Canadian Study Permit Application from Ghana

There are some certain documents you need to get ready for your visa application. Finance is an important factor in deciding if your study permit is granted or not. 

The Canadian government should be able to see that you can financially support yourself throughout your studies, either with your personal savings or through a sponsor such as a parent.

Generally, you’ll need to get the following documents in order to apply for a Canadian Study Permit. 

• Admission letter from a Canadian Institution. 
• Results from a medical exam and police check
• Two passport-size photographs 
• Proof that of funds to financially support yourself throughout your stay.
• Biometrics. You may also need to provide your Biometrics. This can be done at any t approved Visa Application Center in Ghana.

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Fees for the Canadian Student Visa Application in Ghana

The Canadian Study Permit for Gahanians costs a fee of CAD 150. Depending on your situation, you may be allowed to pay this fee online, or on ground at a visa application centre in Ghana usually through a bank transfer.

You will have to pay CAD 85 to submit your biometrics if you wish. You may also have to pay for the medical exam. will and the travel costs to London, where you’ll have your medical exam. 

Ghanaian students won’t need to get health insurance for the Canadian visa.

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The Canadian Student Visa Application Process in Ghana 

To satisfy a request for a Canadian student visa, you have to strictly follow a detailed application process. What are the processes to follow? 

Step 1: Get a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution 

To qualify to apply for a Canadian student visa, you must have received a letter of acceptance from an institution. You won’t secure a visa if you don’t have an acceptance letter. It’s the acceptance letter that confirms with the Canadian authorities that you really want to come to study in their country.

Step 2: Complete the Online Study Permit Application

You can complete an online permit application online or from a Canadian embassy in Ghana. 

This study permit gives you access to study in Canada as a foreigner. Consider it like a work study for foreign workers. You may enrol in a Canadian institution without a study permit. 

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Step 3: Submit Your Application and Supporting Documents

Submit your application along with other supporting documents. That is, your passport, passport size photographs and all listed above. Do this while submitting your application form, not after you have submitted it already. 

Step 4: Application Processing Times in Ghana

Application processing times are the standards for African students alike. 

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Average Processing Times for Canadian Student Visas in Ghana

It might take up to 90 days (3 months) for your application to be . At that time all you can do is wait. If you have done all that you are required to do, you can be optimistic that your application will be successful. 

Standard Processing vs. Expedited Service  

With the Standard Processing service, the Canadian immigration will receive your application in a minimum of five (5) working days so that they can start to review it. 

The expedited service is even faster. It will take only three (3) days for a visa on an expedited service route to arrive at the immigration services. 

In general though, it takes an average 3 months to process a student study visa form Ghana. 

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Processing Delays to Expect

There are some factors that are not your fault that can cause visas to be delayed. Even if you had followed every application process to the letter, there can still be some delays. 

Some of these factors include 

• Holidays 
• Shortage in Staffing in Immigration offices
• Travel restrictions on your country or other countries 
• Backload of unattended visas applications
• And unforeseen circumstances e.g Covid outbreak. No one saw that coming, I’ll bet.

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Tips to Get Your Canadian Student Visa Faster in Ghana

Like everything in life there are strategies to take if you want to secure a Canadian student Visa faster. Ghana is an African country and inasmuch you may want to think, Ghana has a good relationship with Canada. You can obtain your visa by doing the following things.

Apply Early Before Your Program Starts

This is to give plenty of room for the immigration office to process your application and avoid unnecessary rushing. You don’t need to wait till it’s late before you scramble to secure a visa. Ideally you should apply three months before your program commences in the school. 

This will coincide with the three months processing time a normal Canadian student visa takes. Also, can college affect visa success rate? Yes. Some colleges have high visa rate than others.

If it is possible, you should apply even further than 3 months. All of this is to be safe rather than sorry and allow proper review of documents and the application by the Canadian authorities. Again, how long does Canada visa process take, it’s 3 to 6 months.

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Provide Clear and Complete Documentation

Yes, talking about documentation, make sure all your documents are complete when rendering your application. It will be unwise to think one document won’t be necessary or won’t be that important if it is listed as required by the immigration services.  

Second to submitting proper documentation is submitting clear copies of your documents. Let your name and pictures be clear before you submit. There is a backload of visa applications, you can help the authorities process yours faster if you present to them clear copies of your documents. 

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Show Strong Ties to Ghana in Your Application  

To these developed countries, they believe everyone (especially people from third world countries) who wants to come to their country has a tendency to never return. If you class yourself as someone who has strong ties to Ghana, you will be giving preference.  

If you have ties like family, a business or a high tendency that you will return to Ghana after the duration of your study, even if you intend to stay, you will be given preference over others who seem to want to run away into their country. 

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What to Do After Receiving Your Canadian Study Permit

So you have got your Canadian Study Permit, now what? What should you do now that your visa is issued by the authorities?

Prepare for Your Trip to Canada

This is very necessary especially if you are not familiar with travelling by air. You should get yourself prepared. Get all necessary documents in hand and go earlier to the airport. You don’t want the stress of rushing late. 

Make sure you double check on all necessary items needed and things to do before going to the airport.

Entry to Canada and Conditions of Your Study Permit

Remember you have a study visa and not a tourist or work Visa. There are various conditions tied to your visa. Stay within the limitations of this visa and respect your host country. Remember it’s their country, don’t be out of line and make things difficult for them.

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Conclusion

You can get a Canadian Study visa easily from Ghana. If you carefully follow the instructions to apply it is possible and easy to achieve.  Are you asking, how long does it take to get a Canadian student visa in Ghana? Well, the answer is an average of 3 to 6 months. 

We are a Canada visa application centre in Accra. We offer the service of securing a Canadian Study visa from Ghana. Contact us today for a free quote about how you can go about it. We will love to hear from you. 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: How long does it take to get a Canada study visa for international students?

A: The Canada study visa, also known as the Canada study permit, typically takes an average of 3 to 6 months to process. Processing times can vary depending on the visa office handling your application and your compliance with Canada student visa requirements, such as submitting all necessary documentation and meeting eligibility criteria. International students applying through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) can experience faster processing times if they meet specific requirements.

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Q: Is it easy to get a Canada study visa from Ghana?

A: Yes, obtaining a Canada study visa from Ghana can be straightforward if you meet all the Canada student visa requirements and follow the regulations set by Citizenship Canada. International students must apply through designated learning institutions (DLIs) that host international students, ensuring they are eligible for a Canada study permit. Careful preparation and adherence to guidelines will improve your chances of a successful application.

Q: Why are Canada student visas delayed in Ghana?

A: Delays in the processing of Canada student visas in Ghana can occur due to various factors, such as incomplete documentation, not meeting the Canada study permit requirements, or issues at the visa office. Other factors may include increased application volumes, travel restrictions, or delays in the processing of applications by Citizenship Canada. Following the correct procedures and ensuring all required information is provided can help minimize delays.