Visa Information

Disclaimer: Please note that this information is accurate as of August 9, 2011. CBIE will attempt to maintain this content updated on a regular basis. However, if there are any discrepancies between the information presented here and the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, please give the CIC website priority.

Note: Application processing takes at least three months and longer if a medical exam is required.  It is important that you follow all application deadlines set by CBIE so that there is no conflict with the start-date of the academic program. Permits cannot be issued once the university/ESL program start-date has passed. You will need to submit a new application along with the necessary fees if you miss a deadline.

When you submit your applications, you may be asked to return to the Embassy at a different time for an interview or after a medical examination has been conducted.

Interview

During the interview, it is your responsibility to demonstrate to consular officials that you meet the academic qualifications of the program in which you are enrolled. You must also clearly demonstrate to consular staff that you have significant country and family ties to Libya and that your intent is to return once your studies are complete.

Medical Exam

Applicants studying in the health sector will likely require a medical exam. Requirements will be communicated to you at the time of the application.

Temporary Resident Visa

A temporary resident visa is an official document issued by a visa office abroad that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident to study in Canada. You must obtain a temporary resident visa before your departure; you cannot obtain it upon arrival in Canada.

A valid temporary resident visa is not a guarantee of entry into Canada; an officer at the port of entry will decide if you still meet the requirements for admission when you arrive. If there has been a change in circumstances between the date of your application and your arrival in Canada, or if subsequent information is given which was not originally available to the visa office, you may be refused entry.

Applications should be made at least three months before your intended departure date.

Requirements for a Temporary Resident Visa

• convince an officer that you will leave Canada;

• show that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your family members in Canada and to return home. The Libyan government will provide a Statement of Financial Support for Visa applications. This document will be given to you by the Libyan government as evidence of financial support;

• not intend to work or study in Canada unless authorized to do so;

• be law-abiding and have no record of criminal activity (you may be asked to provide a Police Clearance Certificate);

• not be a risk to the security of Canada;

• produce any additional documents requested by the officer to establish your admissibility;

• be in good health (complete a medical examination, if required);

• Below is a link to Canada's Citizenship & Immigration website where you'll find useful information on how to visit, study or live in Canada:

  In English: www.cic.gc.ca/cometocanada
  In French: www.cic.gc.ca/veniraucanada

Essential Canadian Government Documents

IMM 5257B – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa made Outside Canada

IMM 5409E – Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (VISA)

IMM 5484E – Visa Checklist

Documents needed to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa

There are 6 steps to applying for a Visa:

Step 1: Proof of Identity

Step 2: Visa Application (IMM 5257B)

Step 3: Proof of Financial Support

Step 4: The Processing Fee

Step 5: Familial information (IMM 5406E)

Step 6: Document Checklist (IMM 5484E)

Step 1 – Proof of identity

You must provide:

• A valid passport or travel document for you and each accompanying family member. The passport or travel document must allow you to return to Libya.

• Two recent passport-size photos of you and each accompanying family member. The name and date of birth of the person should be written on the back of each photo. Please go to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website for information on photo specifications:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5256EB.asp

Step 2 – Visa Application

Complete the application for a Temporary Resident Visa (5257B).

Step 3 – Proof of financial support

The Libyan government will provide to all Libyan students a Statement of Financial Support for Visa applications. This document will be sufficient evidence of financial support.

Step 4 – Processing Fee

Include the correct Processing Fee when applying for a visa. Single Entry Temporary Resident Visas cost $75.00CAD per person; Multiple Entry Temporary Resident Visas cost $150.00CAD per person; and Family Rate Temporary Resident Visas cost $400.00CAD. The processing fee will not be refunded, regardless of the final decision on your application. Processing fees may vary, please check with the CIC website for up-to-date processing fees.

Step 5 – Familial Information

You may be required to provide a marriage certificate and birth certificates for any accompanying family members. You may be required to complete the Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409E) form and provide evidence outlined on the form to support your marital relationship.

Step 5 – Document Checklist

Make sure that your application is complete. Use the document checklist (IMM 5484E) to ensure your application is complete. You are required to submit the checklist along with your application.

Taken from:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5256E.asp

Study Permit

Essential Canadian Government Documents

IMM 1294B – Application for Study Permit Made Outside Canada

IMM 5406E – Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (Study Permit)

IMM 5483E – Study Permit Checklist

Documents needed to apply for a study permit

There are five steps to applying for a study permit or six steps if you wish to study in Quebec.

Step 1: Supporting documents

Step 2: Study Permit Application (IMM 1294B)

Step 3: Processing Fee

Step 4: Familial information (IMM 5406E)

Step 5: Document Checklist (IMM 5483E)

Step 6: Additional document requirements for studying in Quebec

Step 1:

Collect the documents you need to apply.

• Proof of acceptance

• Proof of identity

• Proof of financial support

• Certificate of Good Conduct

Step 1a – Proof of acceptance

You must have an original letter of acceptance confirming that you have been accepted by an educational institution before you apply for a study permit.  You must include the original letter with your study permit application. The letter of acceptance must show:

• the name of the institution;

• confirmation of your acceptance and/or registration as a student;

• the course of study;

• the duration of the academic program; and

• the latest date you may register.

Step 1b – Proof of identity

You must provide:

• A valid passport or travel document for you and each accompanying family member. The passport or travel document must allow you to return to Libya.

• Six recent passport-size photos of you and each accompanying family member. The name and date of birth of the person should be written on the back of each photo. Please go to the CIC website for information on photo specifications:

Please see links below for more detailed information on this matter:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/photospecs.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5269EB.asp

Step 1c – Proof of financial support

The Libyan government will provide to all Libyan students a Statement of Financial Support for VISA. This document will be sufficient evidence of financial support.

Step 1d – Certificate of Good Conduct

A visa officer may request a police certificate to help verify your admissibility to Canada. Persons who have committed or been convicted of a crime or offence may be prohibited from entering Canada. Police agencies may do a criminal or security background check. These checks may be done for anyone 18 years of age and over applying for a Study Permit. Keep in mind that it may take an additional 2-3 weeks to process police certificates.

Step 2 - Study Permit Application (IMM 1294B)

You must complete the application for a Study Permit (1294B).

Step 3 – Processing Fee

Include the correct Processing Fee to apply for a Study Permit. The rate for processing an application for a study permit is $125.00CAD. This fee cannot be refunded if your application is refused or if you decide to withdraw your application.

Step 4 – Family Information

You may be required to provide a marriage certificate and birth certificates for any accompanying family members. If you are in a common-law relationship and your common-law partner will accompany you to Canada, you may be required to complete the Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5406E) form and provide evidence outlined on the form to support your relationship.

If your family members wish to follow you to Canada at a later date, they must make a separate application for admission.

Step 5 – Document Checklist

Make sure that your application is complete. Use the document checklist (IMM 5483E) to ensure your application is complete.

Step 6 – Additional document requirements for studying in Quebec

If studying in Quebec you must have a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (Quebec Certificate of Acceptance, or CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration et des communautés culturelles (MICC) prior to requesting your study permit at the Canadian visa office. Your educational institution should give you all necessary information about the procedures that apply in Quebec. You must send your completed application to the MICC Regional office that serves your educational institution in Quebec (or, if the institution is in the Montreal area, through the Direction des Services d’Immigration Sociale et Humanitaire in Montreal).

Refer to the MICC website for appropriate contact information and for the latest updates on the process and documents required in Quebec.

This information was taken from:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-how-documents.asp

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

MICC Website:

http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/immigrer-installer/etudiants/index.html

Disclaimer: Please note that this information is accurate as of April 1, 2010. CBIE will attempt to maintain this content updated on a regular basis. However, if there are any discrepancies between the information presented here and the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, please give the CIC website priority.