Registrar's Office
and Student Services

Immigration Canada attempts to get student visa requests reviewed and approved within two months; however, each case is different as it can be upwards to three or four months in an extreme situation. Every student authorization applicant is interviewed.

1. Pick up student authorization forms. Applicants may obtain student authorization forms at the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City. Applications and documentation must then be submitted to the nearest visa office; for Vietnamese students, this will be the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok.

   Students from Vietnam must apply for a student authorization prior to arrival in Canada. It can not be issued on arrival at a Canadian port of entry.

2. Gather the necessary documents. It is crucial that students submit ALL documentation requested with their applications. Missing documentation will delay the authorization process.
   
   The following documentation must be included in student authorization applications:

   • Proof of identity. This includes:
     • photocopies of a valid passport or travel document or identity document that guarantees re-entry to the country that issued it; and
     • four recent passport-size photos (2" x 2.5") for each family member, with the full name and date of birth recorded on the back of each photo.
     
     Visa Officers may also wish to see the actual passport or travel document and will inform you if this is the case.
     
   • Proof of financial support that shows the applicant will have enough money during the stay in Canada to cover tuition fees, return transportation and $10,000 CDN per annum for living expenses. Documentation for this requirement could be proof of a Canadian bank account or a bank draft in convertible currency, bank statements for the past four to six months, or proof of payment of tuition and residence fees. (As a guideline, $10,000 CDN plus tuition fees per academic year is generally viewed as sufficient).
     
   • A medical examination in the country of origin. Medical exams are required if a stay is longer than six months. Please note that medical processing will add several weeks to the time necessary to obtain a student authorization. In some cases, you may need a medical examination even though a course is less than six months in duration. In these instances, a Visa Officer will determine whether the applicant will require a medical examination and will send the appropriate medical forms and instructions.
     
   • Proof of acceptance by an approved educational institution. The following must be included in letters of acceptance:
     • name;
     • date of birth;
     • mailing address of student;
     • the course for which the student has been accepted;
     • the estimated duration or date of completion of the course;
     • the date on which the course begins;
     • the last date on which the student must register for the course;
     • the academic year the student will be entering;
     • whether the course is full- or part-time;
     • the tuition fee;
     • any conditions related to acceptance;
     • clear identification of the educational institution; and
     • licensing information for private institutions.

     This letter must be signed by an authorized representative of the institution.

   • Proof of custodianship in Canada is required if the applicant is minor-aged (typically less than 18 years but this can vary from province to province). Applicant must provide a notarized declaration signed by his/her parent or legal guardian in the country of origin and a notarized declaration signed by the custodian in Canada to act in place of a parent in times of emergency, such as when medical attention or intervention is required.

3. Visit the Visa Office. Once one has completed the application forms and has gathered the necessary documentation, the student may proceed to the Visa Office nearest to him/her and submit the forms and required information along with a student authorization fee. When reviewing a student authorization application, a Visa Officer must be satisfied that the student meets the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations and that he/she will only be in Canada temporarily. Once the Visa Officer is satisfied that the applicant is a "bona fide" student and all statutory requirements are met, the applicant will be issued a document which must be shown to an Immigration Officer at the port of entry in Canada in order to obtain a student authorization. As a student authorization will normally be valid for the duration of the course, the travel documents (passport) must also be valid for that same period of time.

Source: CEC Study in Canada Guide and
Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City