“How to write a perfect cover letter for a student visa application?”
For international students who plan on applying for a Canadian Study Permit, creating an effective cover letter can improve your chances of success.
If you don’t carefully structure and format your cover, it will push IRCC in another direction, which could cause you to lose your application altogether. This is why applicants must follow a specific structure for every aspect of their cover letters.
Many international students ask us for the perfect cover letter for their Canadian study permit application. Letters can be complicated, so make sure you follow these guidelines.
- Purpose: The cover letter aims to enhance the chances of success in obtaining a Canadian Study Permit.
- Structure: The cover letter should be formatted correctly to avoid potential application issues.
- Components: The cover letter consists of three essential parts: Opening, Body, and Expense/Funds Summary.
- Types of Cover Letters: SOP (Statement of Purpose) for first-time applicants and LOE (Letter of Explanation) for applicants reapplying after a previous denial.
- Opening: State the purpose of the letter, include personal and authority/embassy details, and address the letter to the Visa Officer.
- Body: Begin with a formal greeting, introduce yourself, discuss the purpose of studying in Canada, explain your choice of the Canadian College or University, outline your financial plan, emphasize your commitment to returning to your home country, and conclude the letter with a formal closing.
- Expense/Funds Summary: Outline expenses, state the amount paid and the funds available in your bank account and include a list of documents attached to the application.
- Overall Impact: A well-structured and detailed cover letter can positively influence the visa officer’s decision and contribute to a successful Canadian Study Permit application.
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter describes why you want to go to Canada, what you intend to do there, and your post-study plans. It also contains information highlighting your academic and professional achievements.
Two basic types of cover letters are required while applying for a Canadian student visa, i.e. SOP (statement of purpose) and LOE (letter of explanation). Essentially, both of these letters are the same but have different themes.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) is more for candidates applying for a Canada study visa for the first time.
- LOE (Letter of Explanation) is for applicants reapplying for a Canada study visa after being denied one in the past).
Components of the Cover Letter for Canadian Student Visa
Your cover letter should be structured in three parts, as shown below:
Part 1: Opening
[Purpose of Letter]
[Date]
[Your name]
[Your Address line 1]
[Address line 2]
[Address line 3]
[Name of Authority/Embassy you are applying through]
[Authority/Embassy Address line 1]
[Authority/Embassy Address line 2]
Attn.: Visa Officer
Subject: APPLYING FOR A STUDY PERMIT (Canada)
Part 2: Body
To Whom It May Concern or Dear Sir/Madam,
[Introduction]
This section should contain a summary of your education and professional goals.
[Purpose]
This section should discuss why you need to study in Canada. You can talk about the higher quality of education and how exposure to a new environment will help you develop knowledge and skills to further your career. Also, mention that you intend to return to your home country and apply what you have learned during your educational program in Canada.
[Purpose of Choosing [College/University Name]]
- Discuss why you have chosen to study at the Canadian College or University you will attend. You can talk about the advantages of attending this educational institution compared to the ones in your home country. You can also discuss some disadvantages of pursuing a similar education in your home country.
- Next, disclose if you have already paid tuition for the program you have enrolled in. Also, mention how you intend to pay for tuition and living expenses for subsequent semesters in Canada. Include details on scholarships, grants, or benefits you are receiving from the educational institution.
- Next, clearly state that you intend to return to your home country after completing your educational program in Canada. Mention any family, business, or property ties in your home country that makes it vital for you to return.
Yours Sincerely,
[Your Full name]
Part 3: EXPENSE/FUNDS Summary
This section should be formatted in bullet points. Mention:
Accommodation:
[Accommodation expense 1]
[Accommodation expense 2]
[Accommodation expense 3]
Tuition Fee:
[Tuition fee for one year]
[Tuition fee you have paid for the first semester]
[Payable fee which is available in your bank account]
Next, list what documents the visa officer can expect to find in your application packet. For example:
List of documents and items attached with the application:
- Cover letter
- Checklist
- Application form
- Item 4
- Item 5
- Item 6
- Item 7, and so forth
Read more: How to Prove Family Ties for Canadian Visa Applications?
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Student Visa Cover Letter Sample
Here is a sample cover letter for Canada student visa application.
Applying for Study Permit in Canada
June 1, 2022.
Akash Kumar
Flat No. 100, Triveni Apartments
Pitam Pura, NEW DELHI, 110034
INDIA
High Commission of Canada to India, in New Delhi
Visa Section
7/8 Shantipath
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021,
India
Attn.: Visa officer
Subject: Canadian Study Permit Application
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have been accepted into a graduate program at the University of Waterloo in Canada and will apply for a study permit. I have included my original university acceptance letter with this application.
I am a qualified software developer with six years of experience in India’s IT industry. I have held this position for the last two years at a sizable IT company in New Delhi.
Thanks to the computer science degree I obtained from Delhi Technological University in 2016, I was able to secure a very profitable job. During my studies, I learned how to design and write codes that are used in a variety of software programs worldwide. India’s software development industry is growing rapidly, and as a result, many companies are looking for developers who specialize in specific programming languages. Therefore, I am eager to expand my knowledge and skills by enrolling in an international graduate program.
I chose a graduate program focusing on Programming Languages at the University of Waterloo because it is among the best educational institutions globally for this study area. Many of the program’s professors have contributed to innovative developments in the software programming field. The Waterloo-Kitchener area is also renowned for producing many talented individuals in the computer science field, leading to the region being referred to as Canada’s Silicon Valley. By contrast, my educational prospects in India are pretty limited. New Delhi is a major city with many reputable educational institutions. However, none offer the graduate program I am pursuing. I also believe being immersed in a North American setting will allow me to learn to adapt my skills to multinational companies once I return to India.
I have paid the University of Waterloo CAD 14,000Â to cover my fees for my first semester. You can verify this transaction in the attached bank draft with my application.
I have also found accommodation in a dormitory on the university campus. The dormitory’s address is as follows:
Suite #303, Village 1, University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W
Waterloo, ON, N2J 4B6, Canada
I have paid my accommodation fees for the first semester. You can contact the University administrator in charge of the dormitory at the following phone number: +1 519-888-4567 ext. 84086
Funds Available
I have INR 8,100,000 or CAD 50,000 in my Indian bank account. You can verify this amount in the bank statement I have supplied with the application package. You can also verify that I have steadily built up these savings from the monthly salary deposits I received from my job at Linus Technologies in New Delhi.
I intend to return to India after completing my graduate program at the University of Waterloo. Both my elderly parents (picture attached) reside in New Delhi, and I plan to take care of them after returning. I also plan to take over managing their rental property in the city. My older brother (picture attached) will be performing this duty while I complete my studies in Canada.
I would greatly appreciate your support in issuing a study permit before August 1, 2022, so I may depart for Canada by August 15, 2022, for my program’s orientation. I have included all the relevant information requested in the original application package. Please contact me at +91 1234-567890 or akashkumar149856@gmail.com if you need me to submit additional information or documents for my application.
Thank you
Yours Sincerely,
____[SIGNATURE LINE]____
Akash Kumar
Expense/Funds Summary
Accommodation:
First Semester’s Rent: CAD$ 3,500
Payable Rent Amount: CAD$ 3,100
Tuition Fee:
First Year’s Tuition Fee: CAD$ 28,000
First Semester’s Tuition Fee: CAD$ 14,000
First Semester’s Payable fee: CAD$ 13,000
Total Bank Balance in my account is INR 8,100,000 or CAD 50,000.
Note: The documents and other items enclosed with my application are summarized below:
- Cover letter
- Checklist form (IMM 5483)
- Completed and Signed Application form
- Supplementary Information form
- The University of Waterloo provided the letter of Acceptance. (Original + one copy)
- Payment Receipt for First Semester’s Tuition
- Confirmation of Accommodation at Village 1 Dormitory at the University of Waterloo
- Proof of funds (Bank statement from the past six months)
- Statement from my bank manager describing my financial history.
- Originals and photocopies of my educational documents.
- Original IELTS language test results
- Recommendation letter from my work supervisor
- Original passport and one copy
- Pictures of my parents and brother
- Copy of my Identity Card
- Six recent photos
- Police clearance certificate
This sample cover letter can be used as a guide when applying for a student visa in Canada. Always ensure you include all sections and go through your letter for spelling, grammar, and other mistakes before submitting it to the Visa Officer. When writing a letter, be concise but do not omit important details.
Take Professional Help from Licensed Consultants
Many of the applicants for student visas that we assisted are currently enrolled in Canada’s top colleges. Whether it is your first time applying or you have had repeated study permit refusals, we give you visa success in the easiest way.
You can contact our experts here. Our team is led by Keshav Sharma, a licensed and regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant with many years of experience.
I hope this article has clarified your confusion regarding writing a perfect cover letter for a student visa application. Good luck!
Thank you for the structure of the visa cover letter.