Canada student visa

The number of international students in Canada continues to grow every year. Many of them are able to stay in Canada after finishing their studies.

Approval of a Canadian study permit is always at the discretion of the visa officer.

Last year, Canada admitted more than 400,000 international students. The majority of those students came from France, Nigeria, China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Iran, India, and Vietnam.

Diversity of international students is a priority for the Canadian government. In 2019, it launched Building on Success, a new International Education Strategy (IES).

The government has budgeted $147.9 million dollars towards this goal over the next five years.

You can boost your chances of success by working with us through our International Student Program.

Visa4Canada Ltd’s International Student Program can help to guide you through the process. From getting your study permit to permanent residency, we’ll be there every step of the way. With our help, you can transform a Canadian education into Canadian permanent residence.
Every one of our International Student Program clients is paired with an Educational Counsellor who has been trained in the landscape of Canadian higher education and immigration in Canada. With their help, you will submit the strongest possible application.

Certain documents are necessary for the application process. Below is a list of documents that may be requested of you.

Acceptance Letter: A letter sent by the school confirming your acceptance into your program of study.

Proof of Financial Support: Proof that you have money to support yourself and any family members coming with you. You must show that you can cover your tuition fees as well as your cost of living (accommodation, food, etc.) for your first year in Canada.

Identity documents: Birth certificate, marriage certificate and passport.

The good news is that studying in Canada is affordable. Canadian tuition fees are generally lower than those in Australia, the U.S. and the U.K.

In the 2018/2019 school year, the average annual tuition for an undergraduate international student in Canada was $27,159 CAD. The average tuition for the same year spent at an American university can be compared at $45,950 USD.

You can use this tool to find tuition costs for college and university programs in Canada, as well as the estimated costs of books and supplies.

When deciding where to study abroad, cost of living is also an important factor to consider. The cost of living in Canada can be very affordable compared to most other top destinations for international students:

There are plenty of scholarship opportunities for international students who want to study in Canada.

The opportunities available to you will depend on your field of study or research and your country of origin.

You can find more information about scholarships that may be available to you by using this database.

To study at a Canadian school you will need to be proficient in English or French.

Canadian post-secondary schools set their own conditions for language skills of international students. Language skill requirements vary from one school to the next.

While preparing your application, you should research the specific requirements for your program. Some schools even allow you to complete English courses after you begin your studies.

Some international students do not need to provide proof of their language skills. If you are from an English-speaking country or have studied in English, then you may not have to take the IELTS.

Each school set its own language requirements. It is important to check the specific requirements of the school where you want to apply.

Our international student program offers guidance on writing your best letter of intent!

The purpose of the letter of intent is to assure the Canadian government that you will respect the conditions of your permit. You must agree to leave the country once your permit has expired.

Our international student program offers guidance on writing your best letter of intent!

Each school has their own deadline. You should make sure to submit your application well before this deadline.
Canadian schools are flooded with applications every year. As the deadline approaches, schools become more selective. The more reputable schools are especially competitive, so the earlier you get your application in, the better.

Canada has a selection of post-secondary institutions of different sizes and specialties. Here's a list of five of the country’s most recognized schools, and a description of each to help get you started!

• University of Toronto (UofT)

  The University of Toronto is likely one of the Canadian schools you have already heard of! International students choose UofT for its academic excellence and vibrant campus life. 20,000 of them, to be exact. It is also located in the downtown core of the world's most diverse city.

• University of British Columbia (UBC)

  UBC is North America’s most international university. Thirty percent of UBC’s student population is international—16,188 students from 156 countries. Located on Canada’s beautiful west coast, the university is part of busy Vancouver. UBC is an excellent choice for those interested in living in a city while still having access to nature. Living in Vancouver means easy access to the beautiful outdoors, including forest, ocean and mountains.

• McGill University

  McGill has an international reputation for excellence. It's no wonder it has a population of more than 12,000 international students. Although it is in the French province of Quebec, McGill is an English university. The city of Montreal is known as one of the best cities to live in as a student. The cost of living is low and it is home to a vibrant artistic and cultural scene.

• Université de Montreal (UdeM)

  UdeM is one of Canada’s highest ranking universities, and a great option for those interested in studying in French! Located in the city of Montreal, UdeM and its affiliate schools serve 9,500 international students each year.

• McMaster University

  McMaster is one of the world’s top 100 universities. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, the university is only an hour drive from Toronto. Hamilton is experiencing a significant job boom in the tech sector. This is great news for those interested in working during or after their studies!

With a Canadian study permit, you can change your school or program at any time. To do so, you will want to make sure you are following the right procedure and staying within the conditions of your study permit.

Here are the exact steps you need to follow to change your school or program through the online portal:

• Sign in to your account.
• Find the section called Designated Learning Institution student transfer
• Click transfer from DLI number
• Enter your study permit application number in the search field and then click search for my application
• You may be prompted to enter more details from your original study permit application, so it’s important to have this handy.
• Enter the information about your new program or school, including the new DLI number, your new student ID number, and your start date.
• Click submit transfer
• You will then be asked to review all the information you have submitted. If everything looks good, you can complete the process by clicking confirm transfer
• You will receive a notification that your request is complete. This confirms that you have successfully informed the government of your change in plans.

Yes! Another perk to studying in Canada is that international students have the right to work. This helps offset the cost of tuition and living expenses.

International students in Canada can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during school terms. During scheduled breaks like summer vacation, international students may work full-time.

Most students don’t need a work permit to work while they study, whether their job is on campus or off campus. Your study permit will state whether you’re allowed to work off campus.

If your program of study includes work experience, you may be able to work more than 20 hours during the semester. This will be indicated in your letter of acceptance. If the government approves this condition, you will be granted both a work permit and a study permit. This work permit will allow you to work on campus only.

International students who are married or have kids may wish to bring their family with them.

Canadian visa officers will consider study permit applications which include accompanying family members. You should note that including family members on a study permit application may influence the visa officer’s decision.

If you are approved as a family, your spouse will be able to work full time while in Canada. Any accompanying children will be able to study for free.

If your family does accompany you, your spouse will be eligible for an open work permit, authorizing them to work full-time in Canada while you are studying.

In order to study in Quebec, you will need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). This document is issued by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI). It confirms that Quebec has accepted you as an international student. You need a CAQ before you can apply for a study permit if your program of study is in Québec.

To be eligible to apply for a CAQ, you need to meet the following requirements.

• Be accepted into a Québec designated learning institution
• Pay the fees associated with a CAQ application
• Agree to comply with the conditions for issuing a CAQ for studies

You do not need a CAQ or a study permit if you intend to study a program that is less than 6 months in duration.

Once you have a CAQ, you have to apply for a study permit from the Government of Canada. When you receive your study permit, you’re ready to start studying in Canada!