Decoding What It Says On Your Canadian Student Visa
Obtaining a Study Permit (aka Student Visa) to study in Canada is one of the most coveted goals for many students. Canada is a highly inclusive immigrant country, renowned not only for its racial inclusivity but also for its inclusive education system. With the best education system and faculty, it does not deny or criticize anyone’s right to learn due to age, gender, ethnicity, or other background factors. Therefore, studying in Canada has become a dream for many, comparable to studying in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, or Japan.
After overcoming various difficulties and finally boarding a plane to Canada, you will first encounter the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for entry document verification. You will then be guided to another hall for the second stage of the registration process. Upon completing the registration process, you will receive a document called a Study Permit, also known as a student visa, the Yellow Paper, or the Golden Paper. This is your first Primary Identification document upon landing in Canada. Before starting your new academic journey in Canada, please carefully read the information on this document.
First, the top left of the document contains your name and mailing address, and the top right contains your Document Number, Application Number, and UCI (Unique Client Identifier). The UCI is equivalent to the national identification number in Taiwan or Hong Kong and remains unchanged for life, used to verify your residence status and legal conduct. The Document Number is the serial number of the Study Permit, linking all the information on the document. This number will be used for school registration, opening a bank account, applying for a driver’s license, provincial ID, and provincial health insurance. The Application Number is required for future status conversion applications to help immigration officers quickly retrieve cases. If you are excited to share your new Study Permit with the world, please ensure these three numbers are masked.
Next is the Additional Information section. Besides the validity period, pay special attention to the Institution Name and Field of Study. It typically states something like “Designated Learning INST-AB,” indicating that you can study at any Designated Learning Institute (DLI) in the province of Alberta. The Field of Study further specifies the fields and types of institutions you can attend. For example, “ANY DESIGNATED POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTION” means you must attend a DLI-qualified post-secondary institution. If you transfer schools or study in another province without formally notifying the immigration office and obtaining permission, then it may result in a “Violation of Condition,” which will be negatively affecting future visa applications.
Besides the Additional Information section, there are the Condition and Remark sections. Commonly overlooked conditions include those outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) (SOR /2002-227) Section 186 (F), (V), and (W), particularly the restriction on partime work hours and work locations under Section 186(V). These will be strictly checked in future immigration reform measures in late 2023.
During the pandemic, due to severe labor shortages in Canada, the federal immigration office temporarily relaxed work conditions for Study Permit holders, but work in the sex trade remains prohibited. The immigration office reiterated these restrictions on February 2, 2023, to protect foreign workers from exploitation by employers. According to regulatory changes effective December 31, 2013, under IRPR paragraph183 and 200 of the IRPR (SOR /2002-227), foreign workers (including part-time working Study Permit holders) are strictly prohibited from engaging in the sex trade industry.
To strengthen the confidence and focus of Study Permit holders studying in Canada, since late 2022, many Study Permits have been annotated with “GOING TO PUBLICLY FUNDED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE,” indicating a permit restricted to public post-secondary institutions. Despite the DLI qualification system, some new private schools still fail to fully comply with regulations. Therefore, in the short term, the immigration office will prioritize students attending public schools and reputable private schools, ensuring positive academic reputation and study rights in Canada.
Canada is a highly inclusive immigrant country that does not restrict anyone’s right to study based on age, gender, or ethnicity. Obtaining a Study Permit to study in Canada is a dream for many students. After arriving in Canada, you must complete entry and registration procedures and carefully read the information on the Study Permit, including personal information, additional information, conditions, and remarks. Adhering to these regulations is crucial for future status applications. The federal immigration office will prioritize students attending public and reputable private schools, ensuring academic reputation and study rights.
