Hiv Positive applying for student visa

[Amrit_92]

Yes I got the approval in 2 weeks. I am in Canada now. I have condition on my visa that I should reach to TB hospital in my province for a surveillance. If things are, okie you will get the approval, even though a bit late.

Thanks for you prompt reply Gipps ...!! This gives me a huge relief. Would you mind sending me PM as I need to ask you about the process. Where u from and what ART regime you are on ? Did you declared about your condition upfront in the Medicals? Did you received any futherance letter from high commission? How did you replied to that letter ? Which country you applied from?
I am sorry , I asked you so many questions. But I am very keen to do another masters in Canda and settle there ...waiting for your reply,
Regards,
Amrit.

 

[gipps]

Hello guys,
I am in same boat. I was diagnosed in January this year , started medication straight after my diagnosis, I was undetectable within 4 weeks. Right now I am on work visa in Australia . I want to apply for study permit in Canada. Can anyone please share their experience of their student visa process.
Any appropriate reply will be much appreciated.
Regards and thanks in advance.
Amrit.

Amrit_92, I got the visa without any problems.
They run the blood tests to check your CD4 and viral load. If these are okie, there should be no problem. I wasn't even asked to show expenses for my medicines, as told by few lawyers and doctors. Although I had mentioned this in my SOP that the medical and medicines will be taken care by my family.
I have brought 3 months supply of ARV. After three months, my MSP kicks in and the ARVs will be covered by that free of charge. (this is for British Columbia). I had applied the visa using my admission letter from Concordia University which is in Montreal, Quebec. Quebec doesn't cover the whole cost of ARVs, but there are many resources where you can get it for free. I have few contacts there. I can help you with that if u are planning to go to Quebec.
From this experience I have realized that, HIV isn't a big deal with Canada, if your CD4 count is good and Viral load is undetectable.
They do make an issue with TB. So better do the Gamma Interferon test for TB because an HIV positive person will definitely be prescribed that.
Also, please inform your doctor about your status so that there are no delays and the additional tests for CD4 and viral load be done quickly.
Any question. Let me know.

 

[Amrit_92]

It is really dependent on the province where you apply. The medical exemption limit is different than for PR. You would also need to look at some of the international student medical plans to see about the level of drug coverage. The maximum amount tends to be quite low because students tend to be healthy and not on many medications.

Hi canuck78 ,
Thanks for your prompt reply buddy. I really appreciate this. I am considering moving to Ontario. From where I can come know about the different coverage limits for different provinces ..I am healthy but I am medication. I am undetectable. I can afford the expenses of my medicine. I heard that getting the student visa approval is difficult than getting approval under express entry? Is it so? I want to study there because I want to boost up my CRS score.

 

[gipps]

Hi canuck78 ,
Thanks for your prompt reply buddy. I really appreciate this. I am considering moving to Ontario. From where I can come know about the different coverage limits for different provinces ..I am healthy but I am medication. I am undetectable. I can afford the expenses of my medicine. I heard that getting the student visa approval is difficult than getting approval under express entry? Is it so? I want to study there because I want to boost up my CRS score.

Buddy I wasn't even asked about the coverage limit or anything.
Since you can cover the expenses of your medicine, just mention that in your SOP. Also, please get admission in a top university. Else there are chances of rejection. My agent told me that since I was going to the top University, the application wasn't rejected. Else it would have been rejected for one reason or the other.

 

[canuck78]

Hi canuck78 ,
Thanks for your prompt reply buddy. I really appreciate this. I am considering moving to Ontario. From where I can come know about the different coverage limits for different provinces ..I am healthy but I am medication. I am undetectable. I can afford the expenses of my medicine. I heard that getting the student visa approval is difficult than getting approval under express entry? Is it so? I want to study there because I want to boost up my CRS score.

A panel physician does the calculation about your medication costs. You will have to look into the coverage provided from UHIP which is the health plan for international students. You can bring a 90 day supply of medication with you. Medication are substantially more expensive than in Asia. Yes it is harder to get approved when you are a student versus PR. The previous poster had declared that he/she intended on attending a program in Quebec and I believe they have their own student plan which might be one of the reasons approval was easy. When provinces have to pay they tend to look at candidates a bit more.

 

[gipps]

A panel physician does the calculation about your medication costs. You will have to look into the coverage provided from UHIP which is the health plan for international students. You can bring a 90 day supply of medication with you. Medication are substantially more expensive than in Asia. Yes it is harder to get approved when you are a student versus PR. The previous poster had declared that he/she intended on attending a program in Quebec and I believe they have their own student plan which might be one of the reasons approval was easy. When provinces have to pay they tend to look at candidates a bit more.

I guess every international student is suppose to get a health insurance. For my Montreal University, the university provided insurance from Blue Cross. The blue cross covers the prescription drugs costing till 7500CAD for the first year.
I did mention this in my SOP. I even mentioned that any other additional expenses will be done by me.
So i guess things worked out for me.
Everyone who wants to apply for Visa, please look into the insurance that your university is providing. Talk to someone in university who can find out about the coverage provided by that insurance. My university resources helped me a lot in this regard.

 

[canuck78]

I guess every international student is suppose to get a health insurance. For my Montreal University, the university provided insurance from Blue Cross. The blue cross covers the prescription drugs costing till 7500CAD for the first year.
I did mention this in my SOP. I even mentioned that any other additional expenses will be done by me.
So i guess things worked out for me.
Everyone who wants to apply for Visa, please look into the insurance that your university is providing. Talk to someone in university who can find out about the coverage provided by that insurance. My university resources helped me a lot in this regard.

Some provinces, like B.C., allow students to have access to the provincial health plans but many have their separate health plan for international students. You can say you will cover the cost of medication but it isn’t enforceable so is disregarded. Once you have access to provincial health coverage or private insurance people will use them. If someone will be using private insurance many provinces don’t care as much about the cost of your treatment since they won’t be paying for it. If they suspect that your costs will go over the coverage available in the plan there becomes a problem. Haven’t been in school for quite a while but think I had something small like a few thousand dollars in drug coverage. Many post secondary students need very little medication the most common will be antibiotics once in a while, birth control, inhalers and antidepressants.

 

[Jp1225]

Hi, is anyone here currently applying for SP? I am also a Plhiv. I am planning to study in Toronto.

 

[Nneoma.muna]

Hi, is anyone here currently applying for SP? I am also a Plhiv. I am planning to study in Toronto.

you can apply you won't be denied if you don't have TB, there would be a condition on your study permit and yours may take little more time. but you are good, go ahead and apply with proper documents.

 

[Roh_mum]

I guess every international student is suppose to get a health insurance. For my Montreal University, the university provided insurance from Blue Cross. The blue cross covers the prescription drugs costing till 7500CAD for the first year.
I did mention this in my SOP. I even mentioned that any other additional expenses will be done by me.
So i guess things worked out for me.
Everyone who wants to apply for Visa, please look into the insurance that your university is providing. Talk to someone in university who can find out about the coverage provided by that insurance. My university resources helped me a lot in this regard.

Amrit_92, I got the visa without any problems.
They run the blood tests to check your CD4 and viral load. If these are okie, there should be no problem. I wasn't even asked to show expenses for my medicines, as told by few lawyers and doctors. Although I had mentioned this in my SOP that the medical and medicines will be taken care by my family.
I have brought 3 months supply of ARV. After three months, my MSP kicks in and the ARVs will be covered by that free of charge. (this is for British Columbia). I had applied the visa using my admission letter from Concordia University which is in Montreal, Quebec. Quebec doesn't cover the whole cost of ARVs, but there are many resources where you can get it for free. I have few contacts there. I can help you with that if u are planning to go to Quebec.
From this experience I have realized that, HIV isn't a big deal with Canada, if your CD4 count is good and Viral load is undetectable.
They do make an issue with TB. So better do the Gamma Interferon test for TB because an HIV positive person will definitely be prescribed that.
Also, please inform your doctor about your status so that there are no delays and the additional tests for CD4 and viral load be done quickly.
Any question. Let me know.

HI Gipps and Amrit_92 ...Hello, I have a PG studies offer from UBC and currently on ART with undetectable VL. I plan to pursue my higher studies, can you please advise based on ur past experience with regards to British Columbia. My medicine is 3 drug regimen. Will I get student permit followed by PGWP ? Also later I plan to apply for PR once I get job after my studies are completed. Regards / Rohit

 

[Roh_mum]

Hi, Is anyone applying for student permit ? I have a PG studies offer from UBC, British Columbia. But currently on ART with undetectable VL. I plan to pursue my higher studies, can you please advise based on ur past experience with regards to British Columbia. My medicine is 3 drug regimen. Will I get student permit followed by PGWP ? Also later I plan to apply for PR once I get job after my studies are completed. Regards / Rohit

 

[Jp1225]

Hi! May questions lang po ulit ako. Meron po ba ditong kakatapos lang magpamedical? Ano po yung procedures na pinagdaanan or additional lab tests kapag plhiv? And meron po ba ditong nasa Ontario na PLHIV?

 

[Future student]

Hello Guys I’m currently applying for my SP to go to college in Toronto. I’ve read all messages and I feel relieved about I have big chances to get approval. Does anyone know the real cost of ART in Canada? My regime is 3Drugs regime (Tenofovir disoproxil/Efavirenz/emtricitabine) and I would like know in case I would have to pay by myself. Also does anyone know for how many months can I bring with me when I travel to Canada?
Thanks for your kind support and reply.

 

[dreamer.ph]

Hi, I am from the Philippines and planning to apply for student permit this year. Just want to check if there is anybody PLHIV here preferably from the Philippines who are able to secure Student Permit. Just want to share exchange information.

 

[Godftry]

Hi there.

I was diagnosed HIV+ in late 2015 and have been on treatment with tenofivir/lamivudine/efavirenz since then, with undetectable viral load as well as CD4 count above 500. I have been on a balance diet, working out frequently and keeping myself healthy despite my condition.

I too want to study in Canada for at least one year and afterwards obtain a PGWP to work one more year. However, I fear having my request denied. This is frustrating and gets me really down to think that had I not ever got infected my life would be a lot easier.

Please share your experiences. Have you managed to get a study permit in the same conditions?

HI，di you get the visa right now, I have the same situation with you. Can you share some experience?