Recruiting students with a higher chance of getting a Canadian  VISA

The following information is based on Easylife Preparation Ltd. statistics.

  1. When to Apply
  2. Financially Stable Students
  3. Age of Students
  4. Gender
  5. Unstable Areas in the World
  6. Education GAP
  7. Student’s Background Matches the Selected Program
  8. Level of Education the student is Applying to
  9. English Language Requirements
  10. Write a Good Study Plan
  11. Tuition Deposits
  12. Tuition Payments
  13. Previous Visa Refusal
  14. Existing Immigration Files
  15. Agent Follow-up with students

1. When to Apply

The sooner a student applies for a program the better from a school and Visa perspective.

Historically, schools post the grades that students need to enter a program. By applying early these marks are used and the processing time is quicker. As it gets closer to the deadline schools tend to get busy, taking longer to process applications because they have many applications.

Also, many schools will collect application so they can compare students and choose the best candidates, consequently the required marks required may be higher than listed on a school’s or our website.

Statistically, Visa Officers tend to approve student applications more often when there is a minimum of 2 months before the student would start their program. So, if the time to get a visa in your country in 1 month, then the student should be applying for the program 3 months before the program starts.

(time to get a visa in Nigeria + 2 months before the program starts = when student should apply for visa) .

Adding the school’s processing time from our website will give you the best time to apply for your students for different school intakes(September, January & May).

*Please note this is not saying your student will not get a visa or be accepted by applying later, just that there is an advantage to applying earlier.

2. Financially Stable Students

Prequalify your students by asking for proof of financial support at the beginning of the process so your organization, Easylife and the schools are not spending time on students who will never go overseas

  • Who is the student’s sponsor? The closer the relationship i.e. parents, siblings, spouse etc., the more likely they will get a VISA.
  • How much money should be in the bank? A minimum of the first years tuition fees plus cost of living for the first year. The more money, the better the chances of the student.
  • How long should the money be in the bank? A minimum of 4- 6 months.

3. Age of Students

While technically there is no age limit for people to apply for a student visa, our statistics show the Visa offices often refuses older students. Less that 10% of students who are older than the below noted numbers are granted a VISA. Consequently, Easylife charges a $500 application surcharge if an applicant falls under any of the following conditions:

  • Applicant is older than 25 years and is applying for undergraduate studies
  • Applicant is older than 35 years and is applying for graduate studies.

*These surcharges do not apply to students who are already in Canada on a student Visa and are applying to another program in Canada.

*Once a student has paid an Application surcharge, they can apply to as many programs as they would like, until they are accepted. We will not charge them another Application surcharge.

4. Gender

Our statistics show that female students are more likely to be accepted than male students. Depending on the country, 55 – 65% of the student visas granted are for women.

5. Unstable Areas in the World

Our statistics show that countries with unstable governments and countries bordering these areas are often scrutinized more carefully and there is a lower chance of visas in these areas due to security concerns.

6. Education GAP

If a student has an Educational GAP of 6 months or more, they must provide a resume or explain what they have been doing during this time.

Students who have only completed high school are good candidates up to 3- 5 years afterwards. Once a student has been out of high school for more than 5 years the chance of getting a VISA is very low in most countries (less than 10% on average.

Students applying to Postgraduate and Master’s programs are good candidates for up to 5 to 7 years after completing their diploma or degree. After 7 years the chance of getting a Visa is significantly lower. The only acception to this rule is if the student has been working for a large global or international company in a good position during this time.

Students must have at least 2 years work experience for that experience to be accepted by a Visa office as a subject the student is eligible to study.

In cases where a student has an Educational gap of more than 5 years (Student has been out of school for more than 5 years), Easylife charges a $500 Application surcharge as the chance of getting a visa for these students is less than 10% on average.

* This surcharge may be waived for students who provide employment documents that show they work in management jobs, professional jobs and or technical or skilled trade jobs at a.Global Corporation or Internationally Accredited Company.

*These surcharges do not apply to students who are already in Canada on a student Visa and are applying to another program in Canada.

*Once a student has paid an Application surcharge, they can apply to as many programs as they would like, until they are accepted. We will not charge them another Application surcharge.

7. Student’s Background Matches the Selected Program

Students who apply for programs that are not related to what they have already studied or to their work experience have a low chance of receiving a Visa.

Select programs for your students that are related to their work or educational background. Please provide a resume if the student is applying for a program based on their work experience. Remember, once your student is enrolled in a program at a College or University, they have the option of changing programs if they find it is not what they really wanted.

8. Level of Education the student is Applying to

The Visas office also refuses students who are applying for another undergraduate degree (especially in the same field). To fix this, apply to a Masters or postgraduate degree for your student.

Alternatively, the student can apply to a masters or postgraduate program at a school that also has the undergraduate program they are interested in, so if they do not like the post-graduate degree they would have the ability to switch programs.

Please note: a student can have a 2 year degree and apply for a 4 year undergraduate degree. The student is required to show how the program is related to their background and the student has the required prerequisite courses. 

9. English Language Requirements

Our statistics show Visa offices often refuse students from Nepal, Bangladesh, Algeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iraq and Syria who do not meet the minimum English requirement and need a conditional offer letter. So, please provide English scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.). and apply for only non-conditional programs.

Easylife charges a $500 Application surcharge if students from the above noted countries do not meet the English requirements.

*These surcharges do not apply to students who are already in Canada on a student VIsa and are applying to another program in Canada.

*Once a student has paid an Application surcharge, they can apply to as many programs as they would like, until they are accepted. We will not charge them another Application surcharge.

10. Write a Good Study Plan
“Statement of Purpose/ Study Plan – Study plan: Please submit a study plan which answers the following question and includes any other information relevant to the processing of your application:


a. Why do you wish to study in Canada in the program for which you have been accepted?
b. What is your overall educational goal?
c. Why are you not pursuing a similar program in your country of residence?
d. What research have you done into studies in your country of residence or of citizenship?
e. How will this program enhance your employment opportunities in your country of residence or of citizenship? What are the job outlooks for the program?
f. What ties do you have to your country of residence or of citizenship?
g. What is your parents’ or guardians’ immigration status in their current country of residence? What are the financial assets owned by your parents?”
h. Do you have a travel history? Please mention about your previous travels. In case you do not have the same, please confirm if your parents or sibling have a travel history.
i. Who is sponsoring your education and why are they sponsoring your education.

11. Tuition Deposits:

Students are required to pay tuition deposits by schools.

When a student does not pay them, they will be refused a visa by the visa office as the student has not met the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) requirements.

Schools charge tuition deposits to make sure a student has the money to attend classes, is serious about attending their school and to save a seat for the student.

12. Tuition Payments

Our statistics show that the chance of getting a Visa increases by 30 % across all countries and as much as 60% in certain countries.

Prepare your students to pay a minimum of 50% of their first year tuition fees or the schools required tuition deposit (whichever is more).

13 Previous Visa Refusal

Students MUST provide this information. If they lie, they will be blocked from getting a VISA for 5 years.

If a student has been refused a Visa before to Canada, the USA, the United Kingdom, New Zealand or Australia (they share biometric information with each other), we highly recommend the student uses an Immigration consultant to submit their Visa.

14. Existing Immigration Files

Our statistics show that students with an open immigration file are very unlikely to receive a visa as the visa officer will question the students reasons to return to their own country after completing their studies.

How to write a Canadian study plan

When you are applying for a visa, you are required to write a “Study Plan” outlining why you wish to come to Canada to study. Below are the questions you will want to answer when you are writing out your study plan. You will want to submit a one-page study plan which answers the following questions and includes any other information relevant to the processing of your application.

1. Why do you wish to study in Canada in the program for which you have been accepted?

To answer this question you will want to describe the reasons why you want to study in Canada.

Explain why you are choosing to study in Canada. What make Canada so special to you? List some of the reasons you are attracted to study abroad in Canada. You may want to talk about how Canada has well know education system whose qualifications are valued around the globe.

Canada is known for its multicultural society. You can say how you are excited to experience this new country it’s culture.

2. What is your overall educational goal?

You chose to study abroad to continue your education! Explain what your educational goal is. Whether it is to continue your education directly after high school or if it’s because you want to expand your knowledge with a master or postgraduate degree. Talk about a field of study that you are interested in and why you are choosing that field. State how continuing your education will further your career in your home country. You may want to think about doing some research on the type of job you want and what the requirements are for this field. Then you will know if your plans to continue your education meet up with you career goals. Explain why studying abroad in Canada will help you successfully reach your educational goals.

3. Why are you not pursuing a similar program in your country of residence or of citizenship?

Canada’s education systems are well known and valued all over the world. Write about how you want to come to Canada to improve your education and continue learning by studying abroad. Maybe schools in your country do not offer the same courses/ programs, and you found the perfect program in Canada. Maybe there are no colleges or universities in your country that offer the programs you are interested in. Talk about the research you have done to see whether or not this specific program you are interested in is provided in your country or not.

4. What research have you done into studies in your country of residence or of citizenship?

Talk about the different schools and programs that are available to you in your country. Your country may have some of the same programs available in Canada. So you will want to explain why you are choosing Canada over staying in your home country to study. Canada may have different programs available then your home country. You may want to discuss the differences between the education in your home country compared to the education you could get in Canada.

5. How will this program enhance your employment opportunities in your country of residence or of citizenship?

Discuss what job positions you have researched in your country. You may have found a job in your country that you are really interested in, but you do not have the required education to be able to work that specific job. So you can discuss how continuing your education in Canada will prepare you for this job position in your home country. If you know of a job in your country but you are unqualified, state how after you get an education in Canada that you will be able to apply to this job, when you return to your home country.

6. What ties do you have to your country of residence or of citizenship?

For this question explain whether or not you have family in your country. You will state if you have children, a family, and if you are married to someone in your country of residence.

7. Provide details of your education history – dates when the course started and ended, the name and address of the school.

Here you will write all the different schools you have attended up until this point in time. You need to state the start and end dates of your education. Provide the full name and address of each school you have attended. Also state the programs you have completed if you have already completed a college/ university course.

You will want to explain your work history as well. State any jobs that you have had, and how these may possibly help you with your studies.

You will want to end your letter by summarizing your educational goals and reasons why you want to study in Canada. Also make sure that you thank the person that you are writing to. We hope this posts makes it a bit easier when you start to write your study plan letter.