A Canadian study permit with a scholarship offer follows the same core eligibility rules as any international student visa, but adds extra documentation to prove the funding source. In 40‑60 words: you must secure an admission letter, demonstrate a valid scholarship, prove sufficient funds for living expenses, complete the online application, and submit a complete, government‑approved document package. MyVisaAI’s free eligibility evaluator instantly confirms whether you meet the basic criteria before you begin gathering paperwork, saving time and reducing costly errors.
The first step is to obtain an official Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). The LOA must state the program’s start and end dates, tuition fees, and the exact scholarship amount awarded. MyVisaAI cross‑checks the institution’s DLI status in real time, ensuring the offer is valid for a study permit and flagging any institutions that are not recognized by IRCC.
Next, verify scholarship eligibility. The scholarship must be unconditional (or clearly conditional on enrollment) and cover at least a portion of tuition. Required proof includes the scholarship award letter, a detailed breakdown of what expenses are covered, and, if applicable, a letter from the sponsor confirming the amount will be transferred to Canada. MyVisaAI generates a checklist that prompts you to upload each document in the correct PDF format, preventing common upload mistakes that cause processing delays.
Financial sufficiency is a key visa requirement. Even with a scholarship, you must prove you have enough money for tuition not covered by the scholarship plus living expenses for yourself (and any dependents). The standard minimum is CAD 10,000 per year for a single student, plus tuition fees. Accepted proof includes recent bank statements, a letter of financial support from the scholarship sponsor, or a Canadian‑based loan approval. MyVisaAI automatically calculates the shortfall, if any, and suggests additional documentation to close the gap.
Prepare your passport and travel documents. Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended study period, with at least one blank page for the study permit stamp. If you hold multiple passports, use the one with the longest validity. MyVisaAI checks the passport expiration date and alerts you if renewal is needed before submission, avoiding a common cause of rejection.
Complete the online application on the IRCC portal (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/apply.html). The form asks for personal details, education history, and the scholarship information. MyVisaAI’s intelligent PDF form assistant pre‑fills repetitive fields, auto‑populates scholarship amounts, and validates entries against IRCC’s format rules, dramatically cutting the chance of a “form‑fill error” rejection.
Pay the required fees: CAD 150 for the study permit processing fee and CAD 150 for the biometrics fee (if applicable). MyVisaAI provides a transparent fee breakdown, including any optional services, and supplies the exact payment links to the IRCC payment gateway. Keep receipts for both fees; they must be uploaded with the application as proof of payment.
Schedule a biometrics appointment if you are from a country that requires it (e.g., India, Philippines, Nigeria). You will receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) after fee payment. Bring your passport, BIL, and a copy of the receipt to the designated Visa Application Centre (VAC). MyVisaAI can locate the nearest VAC globally and provide the local address and contact number for easy scheduling.
Gather supporting documents: proof of academic history (transcripts, diplomas), English/French proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, or IELTS‑CA), a study plan explaining why you chose the program and how the scholarship fits your career goals, and a completed Family Information Form (IMM 5645) if you have dependents. MyVisaAI’s step‑by‑step checklist ensures each document meets IRCC’s size, format, and translation requirements, and it flags missing translations for non‑English documents.
Submit the complete application and wait for a decision. Processing times vary; as of 2026, the average is 8‑12 weeks for scholarship‑based permits. You can track status through your IRCC account, and MyVisaAI will send automated status reminders and a timeline estimate based on your country of residence. For faster processing, consider the Student Direct Stream (SDS) if you meet its stricter language and funding criteria.
If your application is approved, you will receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction and, if applicable, a temporary resident visa (TRV) stamped in your passport. Bring these documents, your scholarship award letter, and proof of funds to the Canadian border. The border officer will issue the actual study permit, typically valid for the length of your program plus 90 days.
Finally, stay compliant after arrival. Enroll full‑time, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and keep records of your scholarship disbursements. Any change in study program, scholarship amount, or personal circumstances must be reported to IRCC within 30 days. MyVisaAI offers a post‑arrival compliance tracker that sends alerts for renewals, work‑permit eligibility, and post‑graduation pathways such as the PGWP.
Related Guide: How to use MyVisaAI to auto-fill the US DS‑260 immigrant visa application
