Student Partnership Program: A Complete Guide

The Student Partnership Program, also known as SPP, was launched in 2009 by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). This program streamlines the visa process for international students who wish to study in Canada.

In recent years, Canada has become one of the most coveted study destinations for international students. After the launch of the student partnership program, there has been a sudden rise in the number of Canadian visas granted to Indian students. Therefore, overseas students are now applying for undergraduate and graduate programs in Canada in large numbers.

Top Colleges Under SPP Program in Canada

Canada is home to a number of SPP colleges that offer a broad range of programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Below is a list of top SPP colleges in Canada:

• Algonquin College
• Bow Valley College
• Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Camosun College
• Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Columbia College
• Conestoga College
• College of New Caledonia
• Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Douglas College
• Durham College
• Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology
• George Brown College
• Georgian College of Arts and Technology
• Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Medicine Hat College
• Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology
• Northern College
• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
• Okanagan College
• Red River College
• Selkirk College
• Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
• St-Clair College of Applied Arts & Technology
• St. Lawrence College
• University of the Fraser Valley
• Vancouver Island University

How does SPP Work?

Around 40 Canadian universities and various other ACCC colleges fall under the SPP program. Students who plan to pursue higher studies in Canada under the SPP program need to apply to a participating SPP college. 

The college authorities then review the applications submitted by the students and make a fair decision based on the documents provided by the students. Further, if an applicant fulfills the eligibility criteria of the college to which he/she applied, they will be considered under the SPP program.

Note: Only those students who plan to enroll in full-time study programs in Canada are eligible to apply under SPP. Moreover, student partnership programs are available only for students from China and India.

Advantages of SPP

When you apply through an SPP program, you will experience a hassle-free visa process. Take a look at the benefits of applying to SPP colleges and universities in Canada:

• Streamlined admission process
• A merit-based selection process
• Expedited processing of Canadian visa
• Higher chances of selection
• Involves lesser documentation in the visa application process
• Low visa rejections
• Income tax proof is not required

Eligibility Criteria for SPP

To apply for a visa under the student partnership program, Indian students must meet the below-mentioned eligibility requirements:

• A minimum overall score of 6.0 in IELTS. The exam must be taken within the last 2 years.
• Should have completed class 12th studies within the past two years or have completed a bachelor's degree in the last five years.
• Must not have more than 8 backlogs in recent exams.
• Should apply to a program that is relevant to their educational background.
• Must have obtained at least 50% marks in their recently completed degree/diploma.
• Show evidence of tuition fee payment for one semester or one year.
• Provide proof of purchase of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $ 10,000 from Scotia Bank. It proves that you have sufficient funds to cover living costs for the first year of your stay in Canada.
• Must not have been denied a Canadian study visa previously.

What is a GIC?

GIC, also known as Guaranteed Investment Certificate, is considered a kind of Canadian investment that is issued by banks or companies. International students need to invest their money for a specific time period to receive a guaranteed rate of return on their investment.

According to the guidelines established by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, overseas students require an amount of around $10,000 CAD/ year to cover their living expenses in Canada. This can be done by obtaining a GIC and presenting it as proof of paying the tuition fee. Currently, there are only two participating Canadian financial institutions: Scotiabank and ICICI Bank Canada.

Applying for Canadian Colleges Under SPP

As mentioned earlier, Indian students can go through a simplified application process under the student partnership program. Students must refer to the application checklist for SPP and submit all the documents accordingly.

• Documents Required for Pre-Medical Examination
• Study Permit Application Checklist Under SPP
• Document Checklist

Pre- Application Medical Examination

As a part of the application process, applicants need to submit a copy of their medical examination. It is recommended that students undergo a medical examination before applying for a study permit. One can do this by visiting a designated panel physician in India. Upon completion of your medical examinations, you will receive a copy of your medical examination form, which you must submit along with your study permit application.

Note: It is advisable for students not to submit their study permit application until one week after the completion of their medical exam.

Documents Required for Pre-Medical Examination

Here is the list of important documents that you must carry while visiting the panel physician:

• 5 passport size photographs
• A valid passport
• A photocopy of the passport page that shows your biodata and picture
• Acceptance letter from an SPP institution
• A signed declaration that states that all documents listed in the checklist have been submitted and the information that you have provided is accurate.

Study Permit Application Checklist Under SPP

Check out the list of documents and forms that you must submit to the nearest application center for a study permit in conjunction with the IMM 5483 document checklist:

• Application for study permit made from outside Canada (IMM 1294)
• Family Information (IMM 5707)
• Statutory declaration of common-law union (IMM 5409)
• Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)
• Custodianship declaration (IMM 5646)

Document Checklist

• Fee payment in a format that is acceptable. This might cover the application processing fee or biometric fee (if applicable).
• Photocopy of the pages from your passport that show the following details:
• Passport number
• Issuance and expiry date
• Photo, name, date, and place of birth
• Provide English language proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.). Applicants must have a minimum band score of 6.0, with no band less than 5.5. 
• Photocopy of recent diploma/leaving certificate and mark sheets
• Two photographs as per the specifications provided in the visa application. Applicants are required to write their name and date of birth on the back of their pictures.
• An acceptance letter from the DLI 
• Letter of approval for ‘certificat d’ acceptation du Quebec’ (CAQ)
• Evidence of financial support. You will be required to show proof of a GIC of CAD 10,000 from a participating Canadian financial institution.
• Any other additional documents requested by the Visa office

Prior to submitting the above-mentioned documents, be sure to keep the following things in mind:

• If you submit a document in a language other than English or French, provide a certified translation.
• The application can be rejected or delayed if you are unable to submit all of the required documents.
• The application will be rejected if you provide any incorrect or fraudulent information.
• SPP applicants must undergo a medical exam in order to enroll in any study program that has a duration of more than six months, 
• Do not forget to include the barcode (last) page while submitting your application.
• Students must present proof of purchasing a GIC. VFS will not accept applications under SPP without a copy of the GIC document.
• In spite of submitting all the required documents, you may be asked to attend an interview.

Note: Students are advised to submit their applications at least three months before the expected travel date.

Working in Canada Under the SPP Program

International students are eligible to apply for a work permit in Canada after the completion of their studies from a recognized DLI. It does not matter if the college is an SPP college or a non-SPP college. The requirements for obtaining a work permit remain the same in both cases. 

To apply for a work permit, there are certain guidelines outlined by the Canadian government. Students who are enrolled in study programs of 2 years or more are eligible for a post-study work permit of up to 3 years. At the same time, students who are attending a study program of up to one year or less are eligible for a work permit equal to their study duration.