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International students walking on a Canadian university campus in autumn

GIC for a Canadian Study Permit From India: How It Works

Applicants from India who want to study in Canada often use a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) to demonstrate they have enough money for their study permit application. A GIC is an investment that provides a guaranteed return, and international students use it to show they can support themselves while studying in Canada. This is a common requirement for study permit applications.

what is a gic for a canadian study permit

A GIC for a canadian study permit is an investment designed for international students. It's a guaranteed investment with a fixed return, typically offered by canadian banks. The gic is used to demonstrate proof of funds for the study permit application, and immigration, refugees and citizenship canada (ircc) usually requires it. For example, many students have found that using a gic makes the application process easier.

how gic works for proof of funds

To apply for a gic, applicants invest a certain amount of money in a gic account. The money is held in the account for a specified period, usually 12 months, and earns interest. The gic program is designed to provide proof of funds for the study permit application. Applicants can visit the website of a participating canadian bank, such as scotiabank or royal bank of canada, to learn more about the application process. I've found that scotiabank's website is particularly user-friendly.

canadian banks offering gic programs

Several canadian banks offer gic programs for study permit applicants, including scotiabank, royal bank of canada, and toronto-dominion bank. These banks offer different gic programs, some specifically designed for international students. Applicants can visit a participating bank's website to learn more about their gic program and apply. It's a good idea to compare the programs offered by different banks to find the one that best fits your needs.

release schedule after landing

After landing in canada, the gic funds are released according to a schedule. A portion of the funds is usually released immediately, and the remaining balance is released in installments over the next 12 months. The release schedule may vary depending on the bank and the specific gic program. For instance, some banks may release more funds upfront, while others may spread it out over a longer period.

gic and study permit application

To apply for a study permit using a gic for proof of funds, applicants must first open a gic account with a participating canadian bank. They must then invest the required amount of money in the account and provide proof of the investment to ircc as part of their study permit application. Applicants can find more information about the study permit application process on the ircc website. It's also a good idea to check the study permit page on our website for more information on study permits and the application process.

Applicants can also check the processing times for study permits from india to get an idea of how long the application process may take. Our proof of funds calculator can help determine how much money is needed for the study permit application. For the most up-to-date information, visit canada.ca/immigration. *This guide is for general information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. For the most current information, please visit www.canada.ca.

A small portion of this article — research support, fact-cross-checking, and copy-editing — was assisted by AI tooling. Editorial decisions, source verification, and final sign-off remain with our team. We cite primary sources from canada.ca for every factual claim.

Last reviewed: July 18, 2026

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