Question 1

What is a GIC Account, and do I need one for my Canada student visa?

Accepted Answer

A GIC is a special account you open in Canada before you travel. It holds a fixed sum that proves to the visa officer you can support yourself for your first year. The money stays yours throughout, and is simply held in an account you cannot empty in one go. For most applicants this is the cleanest way to demonstrate funds, because the embassy has nothing to interpret. It is not the only accepted proof, though. Some applicants use a scholarship letter, a sponsor undertaking or bank statements instead. Requirements differ by visa route and they do change, so confirm what yours needs before you send any money.

Question 2

How much money do I need to transfer to my GIC Account?

Accepted Answer

These numbers are revised every year or two. Check the current figure with your embassy or your provider before you send, because sending too little is a common reason a file gets refused. That covers living costs for one year and nothing else. Your tuition and your travel money are counted apart from it, so budget for those on top. The figure goes up if family comes with you. Other visa routes usually need more, and a job-seeker or language-course visa is the common example.

Question 3

Can I transfer money to my GIC through BookMyForex?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You send it as an international wire transfer to the account your provider has opened for you in Canada. The account is in your own name, so you are sending money to yourself. Book the transfer online with us, upload your documents, and pay by UPI or net banking. We track the transfer until the money lands, and your provider then issues the confirmation letter you need for your visa file.

Question 4

What documents do I need to transfer money to a GIC Account?

Accepted Answer

You need the usual three: your PAN card, address proof such as Aadhaar or a passport, and an Outward Remittance Application (A2 cum LRS declaration) you fill in while booking. If this is an education transfer, you also need your admission or offer letter. On top of that you need the account details your provider sent you when the account was opened. Get the account number and the reference right, because a wrong reference is the most common cause of a delay.

Question 5

Will I have to pay TCS on a transfer to my GIC Account?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes, because these amounts often cross the tax threshold on their own. A transfer for education is taxed at 2% on anything above ₹10 lakh in a financial year. If you are funding it with an approved education loan, no TCS applies at all, whatever amount you transfer. TCS is not money you forfeit, though, because you can set it against your income tax or claim it back when you file your annual return. It does not apply to NRIs.

Question 6

How long does the transfer take, and when should I start?

Accepted Answer

The transfer itself usually completes within 12 to 48 business hours once your documents are checked and your payment clears. That is not the number to plan around, though. Your provider still has to confirm the money and issue your funding certificate, and that adds days. Start at least four to six weeks before your visa appointment. Students who begin two weeks out leave themselves no room if anything needs fixing.

Question 7

How much does it cost to transfer money to a GIC Account?

Accepted Answer

You get our lowest exchange rates with no hidden markups, which saves you up to 5% against a typical bank rate. A bank fee of ₹320 plus GST applies to the transfer and Nostro charges of ₹1,180 apply depending on the route your money travels. On a sum this size the exchange rate matters far more than the fee, so compare the rate first. Every applicable cost is displayed before you confirm.

Question 8

Can my parents send the money, or does it have to come from me?

Accepted Answer

Either. Many students send it themselves, and many parents send it for them. A student who has not left India yet is still an Indian resident, so the transfer goes out under the usual education rules and draws on that person's yearly limit. One thing to check first: some providers want the sender's name to match the student or a named sponsor. Confirm your provider's rule before you book, because a mismatch can hold up the funding certificate.

Question 9

When do I get the money back from my GIC Account?

Accepted Answer

Not as a lump sum, and that restriction is the entire point of the account. You get access after you land in Canada and activate the account. From then the money is released to you in installments, usually monthly, until it is exhausted. Your provider sets the exact schedule and explains how to move each installment into a local account. It remains your money throughout, and is simply paced so that it lasts your first year.

Question 10

What happens to my money if my visa is rejected?

Accepted Answer

You get it back. Every provider has a refund route for a refused visa, and you will normally need the official rejection letter from the embassy or consulate. Ask your provider how long a refund takes before you open the account, as it varies. One thing to be aware of: you are refunded in the foreign currency you sent, so the rupee amount you get back depends on the exchange rate on the day it is converted. That can work for you or against you.

Question 11

Can bank holidays affect my international money transfer to Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) Account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Banking holidays, including Saturdays and Sundays, in India or the destination country can affect processing timelines. Our team helps you identify applicable holidays in advance so you can plan your payment accordingly and avoid unnecessary delays.

Question 12

What if my passport was issued in a foreign country? Will I be treated as an Indian resident?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you can confirm and provide evidence of residing in India for more than 182 days in the preceding financial year. You will be asked to submit all pages of your passport to validate your immigration stamps and timeline.

Question 13

How will cashback for promo codes be credited and managed?

Accepted Answer

Cashback is credited as MyCash to your MMT wallet within 3 days of Forex order delivery and card activation, where applicable. MyCash can be used on flights, hotels and holidays, and for buses and cabs on bookings of ₹500 or more. It is valid for 90 days from the date of credit. For MyBiz purchases, cashback is credited to the linked Personal MMT wallet.

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