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Canadian Study Permits, US Student Visas and Cross Border Education

By Michael Niren March 25, 2010 (Updated December 19, 2019) 2 min. read
us student visas

It’s that time of year again, and college acceptance letters are beginning to arrive for nervous students who have applied to their institution of choice. Sometimes,that institution is in another country, and Americans and Canadians are more often than not choosing to obtain a Canadian or US student visa to attend school across the border.

Canadian Study Permits for Americans

A new study by the Canadian Embassy shows that 10,000 Americans came to study at 80 universities and colleges in Canada during the current academic year. In a few cases, Canadian educational institutions offer cheaper tuition and more diversity in their course offerings for international students. The Embassy also specified that the average processing time to obtain a Canadian Study Permit is approximately one month.

US Student Visas for Canadian Citizens: The I-20 Form

Canadian students hoping to obtain a US Student Visa to study in the United States will require a Certificate of Eligibility, and this form should be issued by the school in the United States that the Canadian student intends to study at. This form is typically sent directly to the student themselves. This Certificate of Eligibility form (or form I-20) must also be presented every time they enter the United States.

Canadian students intending to study in the United States must show they have the means to pay for their travel, tuition and expenses while within the United States, and this can come in the form of bank statements that are notarized or letters from parents or guardians.

Apply for Your Canadian/US Student Visas or Permits Correctly

All students can benefit by ensuring their Canadian or US student visa applications are prepared properly and submitted to the correct Visa office.  Study Permits are temporary visas and as such student must be able to demonstrate temporary intent in addition to other criteria for a successful application. Of course many students stay long after their studies are completed for work but legally doing so requires careful immigration management.

Do you Need Help With Getting a Study Permit in Canada?

While travelling between the United States and Canada is easier than entering other countries, competition is fierce and an error on your application or accidentally not including all of the necessary information may result in a rejection letter. It is always advised to seek the advice of a immigration lawyer to help you fill your applications for a Canadian or US student visa to avoid rejection letters. Fill out our FREE immigration assessment form and let our team of immigration lawyers assess your eligibility for a Canadian/US student visa.

Sarah Quernasian Avatar

Sarah Quernasian

Lawyers here are so kind and sweet and provide so much information in an easy to understand way, especially about visa and obtaining work once in the country. My lawyer was very good and I’m looking forward to having her knowledge in the future for any other immigration needs.

Charles Scalise Avatar

Charles Scalise

The thought of immigrating was very stressful for me and my family, I felt lost. However, working with VisaPlace was very positive and I recommend them to those who need help with immigration. Their team worked with me very closely and presented to me multiple potential options and explained what the process would look like as well as the timeline. I’m so grateful to their guidance.

Pherry AshMalt Avatar

Pherry AshMalt

I won’t go into detail for privacy, but I was in a very bad situation where almost no lawyer would work with me or even provide me with legal counsel on my case. I was terrified of being removed from the country, but with the help of the professionals at VisaPlace, they were able to help me and I was allowed to stay. The relief I feel is immense. Thank you to the amazing team.

Walter J. Avatar

Walter J.

I was frustrated after talking to several different immigration firms. Many just didn’t seem honest or upfront. However, a friend recommended VisaPlace to me, and I am glad they did. I worked with a lady and she was very knowledgeable and explained the process to me. She was so essential for the immigration process. I would definitely go back to her if i needed any further support.

Marco Tame Avatar

Marco Tame

I’d like to be clear that I’m somewhat of a skeptic, especially when it comes to investing time and money into a new venture. I’m originally from the UK but I made the decision to migrate to Canada after meeting my girlfriend online six months ago. I know the process is going to take time, but I wanted legal counsel to make sure I approach the process in the most efficient way possible – I HATE wasting time. My consultation over the phone was informative and eased some of my initial concerns about potential hiccups. The lawyer I worked with was good about getting back to me, although occasionally she couldn’t be reached due to being in court – that was fine, she typically followed up relatively quickly. I’m now well within the process of immigrating and I have appreciated having the legal support.

Michael Her Avatar

Michael Her

It was pretty easy to make an appointment with visaplace. I have seen some people complain about the pricing, which is odd because in comparison to other firms, their rates are relatively fair. They were also honest and upfront with the complexities of my case and gave me the option to decide whether or not I wanted to move forward. I did end up moving forward and things have been going according to what we discussed. I am relieved to know there are honest professionals out there who won’t over-promise you things they can’t deliver.

Michael Her Avatar

Michael Her

It was pretty easy to make an appointment with visaplace. I have seen some people complain about the pricing, which is odd because in comparison to other firms, their rates are relatively fair. They were also honest and upfront with the complexities of my case and gave me the option to decide whether or not I wanted to move forward. I did end up moving forward and things have been going according to what we discussed. I am relieved to know there are honest professionals out there who won’t over-promise you things they can’t deliver.