Canada Student Visa for Indonesian Students 2025

A Canada Student Visa is one of the most sought-after visas for international students. To maintain high standards and reduce Canada Student Visa refusal rates, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements. You should consider applying for a Canada student visa if:

• Your chosen programme in Canada is longer than six months in duration

• You have received an offer letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

• You can demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and return travel costs

• You are in good health and are willing to undergo a medical examination if required

• You can provide a police clearance certificate or character certificate to prove you meet Canada’s admissibility criteria. This is often referred to as a Police Certificate

A Canada Student Visa application is straightforward if you follow a step-by-step process, keep your documents ready and comply with all the requirements as per the IRCC.

Firstly, all the study permit applications are strongly recommended to be made online in Canada. An online application is generally faster and more convenient to process compared to a paper application. Before starting your application process, get the study permit application package from the IRCC website. This application package will include:

• Document checklist

• Visa office instructions

• Application form from outside of Canada

• Family information form

• Statutory declaration form Custodian declaration

• Visa application photograph specifications

• Use of representatives

Applying for a Canadian study permit involves a few important steps that you must complete online through the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) portal.

1. Create an IRCC Account and Fill Out the Application: Start by creating an account on the IRCC portal. Complete the application by providing accurate information related to:

   • Personal details

   • Admission (Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a DLI)

   • Health and medical history

   • Financial proof to support your stay

   • Police Clearance Certificate (if applicable)

2. Pay the Visa and Biometric Fees: Once your application form is complete:

   • Pay CA $150 for the study permit.

   • Pay CA $85 for biometric processing.

   • Payment methods include credit cards, Visa Debit, or Debit Mastercard. Click the payment option under “IRCC Online Payment” and complete the payment. Please make sure that you save or print the digital receipt to keep for your records.

3. Submit Biometrics and Book Medical Examination: Book an appointment at your nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Indonesia to submit your fingerprints and photo.

   • Schedule your medical examination with a panel physician authorised by IRCC. You will need to pay the doctor or radiologist directly at the time of your appointment.

Here’s a quick checklist of the essential documents required to apply for a Canadian Study Permit:

• Letter of Acceptance

• Completed visa application form

• A valid passport

• Proof of funds in a GIC account

• Language proficiency (IELTS Academic or equivalent for applicants from non-English-speaking countries)

• Medical examination report

• Police clearance certificate

• Proof of relationship (in case accompanied by a dependent)

POE Letter or the Port of Entry Letter is officially called the Letter of Introduction or the Letter of Correspondence, which states that your study permit has been approved and you can now come to Canada to get your study permit at the port of entry. After submitting your application, you can track your application online via your IRCC account to check if you have received your Port of Entry letter.

You can then travel to Canada with this Port of Entry letter or TRV/eTV and other necessary documents, and a border service officer checks them and gives you a study permit at the point of entry. Indonesian students looking to navigate the complex Canada Student Visa process can get in touch with our AECC counsellors for assistance on the same.

Presenting authentic financial proof is a crucial step in getting a student visa in Canada. One of the following documents is considered to be good financial proof when applying for a student visa to Canada from Indonesia:

• A Canadian bank account in your name, especially if you have already transferred money to Canada

• A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a trusted Canadian bank.

• A student or education loan letter from your bank

• Your bank statements from the last four months

• A bank draft that can be turned into Canadian dollars

• Receipts or proof that you have already paid your tuition fees and housing costs

• A letter from the person or school who is financially supporting you

• Proof of funding from within Canada, like a scholarship or financial support from a Canadian organisation or school.

Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is a secure investment product offered by Canadian banks and trust companies. For international students, purchasing a GIC is a way to demonstrate financial stability and the ability to cover living expenses during their studies in Canada. The amount required in the GIC Account is CA $20,635 at the time of visa filing.

Here is the table showing the minimum Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) amount required to get a student visa for Canada:

Source: IRCC | The GIC amount will only take care of living expenses and do not include tuition fees. Students must also show proof of funds for their first year of tuition.

The processing time for Canada Student Visa applications is determined by a variety of factors, including the volume of applications, document verifications, potential interviews, and the country of application.

Processing times for Canadian student visa applications from Indonesia are subject to change based on application volume and other factors. While IRCC aims to process applications as quickly as possible, and you can find current estimates using their online processing time calculator, applicants should generally expect it to take several weeks. On average, it can range from 8 - 12 weeks or sometimes longer. To avoid delays, it is crucial to apply at least 3–4 months before your intended travel date, ensure all documents are complete and accurate, and respond promptly to any IRCC requests.

Spouses and dependent children are eligible to apply for dependents on a Canada Student Visa. However, it is essential to note that binging dependents increases the financial requirement and the complexity of the application, requiring more robust proof. If approved, your spouse can apply for an open work permit and work full-time in Canada for the duration of your study permit. If both of you plan to study, you will need to apply for separate study permits.

A student spouse visa (typically through an open work permit) allows you to live and even work full-time in Canada during your study period.

While specific refusal rates for Indonesian applicants can fluctuate, global refusal rates for Canadian study permits have seen a notable increase in recent years. For instance, some reports indicated that overall student permit rejections reached approximately 52% in 2024. This highlights the critical importance of submitting a thorough and well-prepared application. This is a huge number and it is important to understand the most common reasons for Canada Student Visa refusals:

Insufficient Proof of Financial Support: Applicants must demonstrate they have adequate funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and return transportation. In 2024, the required funds for a single applicant outside Quebec amount to CA $20,635, excluding tuition and travel.

Doubts About Applicant's Intent to Leave Canada: Immigration officers assess whether applicants will return to their home country after studies. Factors like strong family ties in Canada, limited employment prospects in the home country, or unclear study plans can raise concerns. This is often referred to as Dual Intent Concerns.

Unclear or Illogical Study Programme Choice: If the chosen programme does not align with the applicant's academic or professional background, it may be questioned.

Incomplete or Unverified Documentation: Missing documents, unverified Letters of Acceptance (LOAs), or unclear identity proofs can result in application denial.

Language Proficiency Issues: Low scores in English proficiency tests like IELTS Academic can impact the application's success. While IELTS is not mandatory for the study permit itself, it is often a university admission requirement, and poor scores can indirectly affect the visa officer's perception of the applicant's ability to succeed in an English academic environment.

Studying in Canada is a dream come true for many international students—an opportunity to gain a world-class education, explore diverse cultures, and build a global future. But while getting a letter of acceptance from a Canadian institution feels like crossing the finish line, the real journey begins with your study permit application.

Securing a Canadian study permit can be more challenging than expected. From demonstrating financial readiness to proving your intent to return home, every detail matters. In short, success in Canada is not just about being accepted—it is about staying compliant, informed, and proactive throughout your study journey. Need help with your study permit application? Let us make your Canadian dream a smooth reality. Get in touch with our AECC Study Abroad Counsellors for more information.