SL2College

In a nutshell, what are the requirements to a graduate program and where do I start?

All tier one universities in Canada are very competitive.  Most Canadian universities do not require a GRE.  If you have a strong GPA, research experience and good recommendations, it increases your chances of getting accepted to graduate programs.  It is also highly advised to contact potential supervisors.  In some universities they are instrumental in making the final decision on whether a student gets accepted to the graduate program, as opposed to highly competitive universities, where it is often a committee that collectively decides on graduate student admissions.

To find which universities offer the program you are looking for, take a look at CanLearn, a website run by the Government of Canada.  A program search can be conducted at their website: http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/index.shtml

Note: Articles published previously in this column described the graduate application process to Masters and PhD programs in Canada. These articles can be found on the SL2College website.

What is required to obtain a Study permit?

The following documents are needed when applying for a study permit:

1. Application for study permit (IMM 1294)

2. Supplementary information form

3. Study permit questionnaire

4. Proof of acceptance from the university in Canada

5. Proof of funds available to support studies

6. Certified copies of applicant’s Passport and NIC

7. Two Passport-size photographs

8. Confirmed travel reservation

9. Bank Draft For the student visa payment

10. Certified copy of TOEFL results sheet

11. Character Certificates

12. Letter from Canada confirming accommodation

13. Curriculum Vitae

14. Statement of Purpose

15. Certified copies of the following certificates: Birth certificate (English translation), GCE O/L results, GCE A/L results, any other certificates

16. Letters from previous work places

17. Immovable assets in the name of the parents

18. Movable asset in the name of the parents

19. Certified copy of Marriage Certificate of parents (English Translation)

The application for study permit could be obtained from the High Commission of Canada in Colombo.  Once you get the approval from them, you will need to arrange a medical check up and a full police report from Colombo (which in turn might need a character certificate from the village headman or “grama sevaka” of your permanent address).  If students resided in any other country, a police clearance from those countries might be required as well.   The entire process will take 6-8 weeks.

The following websites have more information:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5269E2.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/study/index.asp

Note: If you are applying to the province of Quebec, the procedure and documents required might differ.

Can a dependent work while the spouse is studying?

Many international students come to Canada with dependents.  In Canada, unlike in the US, it is possible to get a work permit for the spouse.  So while one partner studies, the other can work!

While the couple is in Sri Lanka, it is easier to get a dependent visa than a work permit.  Originally, the dependent is given a visiting visa which is usually the length of the spouse’s study period.  Dependents must meet all the requirements for temporary residents in Canada and satisfy an officer that they are genuine temporary residents who will be in Canada for a temporary stay.  They may be required to provide evidence that they are law abiding and have no criminal record.  If the dependents wish to arrive in Canada at a later date, they must make a separate application for admission.

Once the couple is in Canada, the dependent can apply for "change status” using the address provided in CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) web site.  Note that this is not the "direct work permit” application set.

The dependent can then apply for an open work permit as long as the other partner is enrolled full time and has a student visa for more than 6 months.  An open work permit means that a job offer is not required up front to get the work permit.

 
Refer to:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-spouse.asp 

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-worker.asp

The time taken to process an open work permit varies.  Applications are available online or on paper, but which one is faster depends on the time you apply.  The processing time can be checked online.
 

How easy is it for international graduate students to get citizenship?

International graduate students are encouraged to apply for permanent residency (PR) in Canada while doing their studies.  There are various programs through which you can apply.  The Provincial Nominee Program (often known as PNP) is an immigration program through which each province nominates individuals and their families for permanent resident status.  The program aims to provide PR to a thousand international graduate students across all Canadian universities each year.  Although this was based on a pre-approved job offer in the province, this rule is being changed and currently in effect in the province of Ontario where a job offer is not required.

For more details, refer the following website:

http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/index.htm

For other categories through which students can apply, please visit:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp 

After receiving the PR, one has to stay in Canada for about three years to get the citizenship.

It is important to note that these rules are constantly being changed or updated.  Hence students are advised to visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website and international student office of their university to learn the latest information.

How easy is it to find a job and what is is the expected wage?

There are more work opportunities for international students who have applied for the permanent residency (PR).  Finding a job depends on the province, the type of job, trade, company, current market, etc.  For majority of professions, you need to have certain level of local qualifications before starting your career in Canada.

Once you settle down, you will find the ways and means to proceed!

Several past and present graduate students in Canada contributed to this article.  They are Sanjeewa Herath, PhD student in Electrical Engineering at University of McGill ; Tharindu De Silva, M.E. Sc student in Biomedical Engineering at University of Western Ontario ; Primal Wijesekera, MSc student in Computer Science at University of British Columbia ; and Yoshani De Silva, past graduate student in Neuroscience at University of Toronto.