Why in News? Indian students are opting for visitor visas to Canada and then eventually applying for study visas upon entry due to difficulty in obtaining a study visa for undergraduate courses.

Why are Students Facing Difficulty in Obtaining Student Visa? Because of the following reasons:

• Canada’s Cap Rule: An intake cap has been set on international student permit applications for two years amid high levels of immigration that have strained local resources.
• Delay in Issuing Attestation Letters: For obtaining student visa, students require mandatory attestation letters issued by the provinces/territories where their college or university is located. A fixed number of attestation letters are allocated to various provinces by the government. Delay in issuing the attestation letter delays their student visa.
• Increased Competition: Students with higher band scores in English proficiency tests like International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and PTE (Pearson Test of English) have greater chances of success.

Can One Get a Study Visa After Entering Through Visitor Visa? Yes, it is possible, but the application process is same as followed in India i.e. obtaining proof of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Students must also then demonstrate financial support and enroll in a DLI. They might need to extend their visitor visa (allows only 6months stay) as they await the study permit application and it's a complex and costly route. The capping of numbers will also apply to the ones applying from within Canada. Therefore, applying for a student visa is advisable, as the success rate is still high, and the process is becoming more streamlined since all Canadian provinces have gradually started issuing attestation letters in line with the new rules.