How to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit from the Philippines?

When it comes to the number of international students per country, Canada currently ranks third in the world, after the United States and Australia. The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing source countries for international students in Canada. There were only 1,880 Canadian study permit holders from the Philippines in Canada in 2015 and this figure significantly increased to 6,365 by 2019.

One of the most significant improvements that have expanded the possibility of more Filipino students occurred in 2013 when the Filipino government increased the basic education cycle from ten to twelve years. This move, known as the K-12 reforms, meant that Filipino high-school students who graduated after this measure was implemented are now more closely aligned with the requirements of the Canadian education system and are thus far more likely to meet the basic eligibility criteria when applying to Canadian universities and colleges.

If you are planning to study in Canada, here are some steps you need to consider:

1. Apply through an agency or DIY (do-it-yourself)

This is the very first thing that you need to consider. Going through the process with an agency will be much easier because they will guide you every step of the way but you have to be ready to pay their processing fee which can cost around PHP 80,000 on average. On the other hand, you can just do everything by yourself as long as you’re ready to do all the necessary research online.

2. Choose a school

Depending on your interest and past education track, search for the school that is best suited for your needs and within your budget. Contact the school for inquiries on their fees and requirements for international student applications. Once you’ve decided, work on obtaining your letter of acceptance from the institution.

3. Work on gathering other requirements

4. Original passport and a photocopy of the passport bio-data page
5. English Test (IELTS or TOEFL)
6. Academic credentials (evidence of all current and past education)
7. Employment certificates (if you have been previously employed)
8. Bank certification (proof of financial support during your study program)
9. NBI Clearance (issued within the last 3 months and marked with dry seal and your thumbprint)
10. Police clearance (required for applicants 18 years old and above)
11. Birth certificate & family information form
12. Study plan (A description of your intended program of studies in relation to your academic, technical, or occupational background, as well as your future employment ambitions)
13. Business permits (if the applicant is a business owner)
14. Study Permit application form
15. Letter of Intent / Letter of Explanation
16. Visa payment confirmation
17. Updated resume & ID picture (not necessarily required but good to prepare just in case)

If we missed anything, you can also check the list provided by the Canadian government.

4. Finding an Accommodation

On average, international students should expect an average cost of CAD 600 for monthly rentals but that will still depend on the location. Some cities are more expensive while some could be a more affordable choice. You can also choose to stay with family and friends if you have any to save on costs or find a homestay/host family in Canada.

5. Expenses

Here are some estimated costs that you can expect to spend on:

• English test - PHP 11,650 (CAD 294)
• Tuition Fee - PHP 800,000 (CAD 20,174)
• Agency Fee - PHP 80,000 (CAD 2,017)
• Medical - PHP 10,000 (CAD 252)
• Visa Fee - PHP 6,000 (CAD 151)
• VFS fee - PHP 1,000 (CAD 25)
• Miscellaneous / emergency expenses - PHP 5,000 (CAD 126)

The list does not include your flight ticket, accommodation rentals, pocket money, and other living expenses once you arrive in Canada.

Even with the COVID-19 situation, Canada is still processing applications for study permits. However, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have stated that many immigration applications are experiencing processing delays as a result of COVID-19's impact on the immigration department. Canada has implemented a new two-step process for study permit applicants, allowing some international students to begin their studies in Canada without receiving final clearance on their study visas.

The new two-step procedure allows students to begin their studies remotely, through distance learning, while receiving a sort of halfway permission on their study permit. Because many of Canada's immigration offices around the world are closed or providing limited services, many study permit applicants are unable to obtain and submit some of the documents required for their study permit applications, such as biometrics, medical examination results, and original travel documents.

Once you arrive in Canada and need to send money back home, Remitbee is your best option. Send money online with no fees when you send over $500. Sign up now. We wish you all the best and we hope to welcome you soon to Canada!