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Study in Canada

Study in Canada; Everything the International Students Need to Know

Do you know that Canada ranks as one of the best countries globally—and is currently the best country for life quality? If you study in Canada, you’ll obtain an internationally recognized education from some top educators and academics worldwide. Whether you learn in a large, vibrant city or on a small campus in a warm, welcoming community, your experience will shape your life. Additionally, this experience may lead to a job opportunity and a future in Canada, and having better chances at home. 

 At the very least, it will give you access to Canada’s four beautiful seasons, clean environment, multicultural diversity, and incredible quality of life. It is worth mentioning that 827,586 international students entered Canada in 2019 through study visas. If studying in Canada is an option for you, you can learn how to start your application process in this article.

Hart House at the University of Toronto, one of the places to study in Canada

Hart House at the University of Toronto

Study in Canada

 You can apply for all primary and secondary schools that teach students up to grade 12 levels and post-secondary schools, including colleges, universities, private career colleges, and vocational and technical schools. The good news for you is that all primary and secondary schools in Canada can enroll international students, and most of them are known as designated learning institutions (DLI). You only will be allowed to study at DLIs.

You need to get a study permit to study in Canada.

You need a study permit and an issued document by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department to study in Canada. You can get your study permit from DLIs through the Student Direct Stream. The process of getting your study permit ready will be within 20 calendar days. You must apply for primary and secondary schools six months earlier and apply for study at a university, college, etc., one year earlier. 

However, some applications may take longer. You must give your biometrics in the shortest possible time and meet all the eligibility requirements to get your study permit faster. There is an expiry date in the top right corner of your permit; it tells you when you have to stop studying and leave Canada. This permit shall be valid for the period of your study program in addition to an extra 90 days. These 90 days provide the opportunity for you to extend your stay or leave the country.

The University of Alberta

Keep in mind that the study permit is not a visa, and with this, you aren’t authorized to enter Canada. In case your study permit approve, you need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) . So, one will issue for you in addition to your study permit. 

Will you need to renew your study permit?

Extending your study permit is obligatory if you want to study in Canada for a longer time. So, you need to extend your study permit if your study lasts longer, and you must apply to extend your permit at least 30 days before expiring your current permit. If you need to renew your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or health insurance, you need a valid study permit. Make sure your passport doesn’t expire at the same time because your study permit cannot be extended beyond your passport’s expiry date.

You can extend your stay or have a conditional acceptance if 

  • You need to take courses before they accept you into the main program
  • You don’t finish your courses before the date on your permit

University-preparatory school, New Brunswick

The steps you need to take if you want to study in Canada

All provinces and territories have their education system. So, you can refer to

for getting more information about schools

for informing of the rules of each post-secondary schools.

  • Applying for a designated learning institutions (DLI)
  • Filling out application forms for your selected schools.
  • If a school accepts you, they will send you an acceptance letter. You need to have this letter to apply for a study permit.
  • Applying for a study permit by submitting an application to the government of Canada to make allowance for remaining in Canada as a student.
  • Proving you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living expense, and return transportation.
  • Obeying the law, having no criminal record and police certificate if needed.
  • Getting a medical exam and being in good health.
  • Convincing the immigration officer that you will leave the country when your study permit expires.
  • You don’t need a study permit to study in Canada for short-term studies and six months or less if you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveler.
  • You need to get a study permit and participate in a DLI with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory if you don’t qualify as a fully vaccinated traveler.

Note: your DLI must be approved COVID-19 readiness plan.

Note: In Canada, each province and territory is in charge of its education system. Language fluency scores and tuition differ in schools and universities of each province and territory, but the minimum IELTS score is 6. For more information in this regard, you must refer to the required eligibility of each school and university. See Edu Canada for more information on costs and programs.

Proof of financial support for study in Canada

Proving your affordability to support yourself and the family members who come with you is needed. The minimum funds for you and your family members who come with you are as follows: 

  • living expenses: $10,000 (for the student)
  • living expenses: $4,000 (for the first family member)
  • living expenses: $3,000 (for the second family member)
  •  Total: $17,000
 

Alliance Atlantic Academy, Halifax, Nova Scotia

You can contact the school or university for more information on the needed list of documents. They will provide you with information, including the cost to apply, tuition fees, health insurance, the cost of living in Canada, and a language test. 

Can you go back home while studying?

If you leave Canada during your study, you’ll need to make sure you meet all the requirements to return to Canada at this time. 

Where can you work while you study in Canada?

  • In School
  • As a faculty member
  • In student organizations
  • For yourself (for example, running a business that is located on-campus, like a coffee shop that is located on your campus)
  • In a private business
  • Offering on-campus services as a private contractor

The required eligibility for working while you study in Canada  

 If you meet all of the following requirements, you can work off-campus without a work permit:

  • You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • As a full-time student, you study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  • Your study program leads to a degree or certificate and lasts at least six months.
  • You study at a post-secondary academic, professional, or vocational training program or a secondary-level vocational training program (Quebec only).

How many hours can you work?

During the regular school semester, you can work up to 20 hours weekly in one job or more than one job to make up these 20 hours. 

Our last words on studying in Canada

In this part, we talked about immigration to Canada as a student. Thank you for your attention, dear applicants. Let us know how we can improve your immigration. We hope that our information has been interesting enough for you. 

Get in touch with us if you want to know more about work permits. We are happy to help, and we look forward to seeing your comments. You can also read more about Canada’s GeographyEconomySocio-cultural, and history.

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