ADMISSIONS IN CANADA

Why Study in Canada

Choose to Study In Canada, and you’ll have the opportunity to encounter vastly different cultural and natural experiences – from the ski slopes of British Columbia to the prairie province of Manitoba, with cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Quebec famously friendly, tolerant and multicultural.

Occupying the northern half of the North American continent, Canada is known for its natural beauty – few nations in the world can boast anything close to its wealth of forests, lakes and mountains – and for its multicultural diversity. The country has official bilingual status, with English and French used concurrently in government and official documents.

It’s also known for its sparse population (despite being the world’s second-largest country, it has a population smaller than that of just one US state, California) and for its harsh winters. In some parts of Canada, snow covers the ground for almost half the year – but you’re unlikely to find any Canadian universities in those regions!

Click on the tabs below to find out more about Top Universities in Canada, popular student cities, and practical information on applications, costs and visas.

Top universities in Canada

Canada has a well-established position among the world’s leading study destinations. The most popular Canadian provinces for international students are Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec, which between them are home to many of the top universities in Canada.

For those looking to study at an elite university in one of the world’s most developed nations, applying to Study In Canada can be an attractive option. A total of 26 universities in Canada feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2016-2017, of which three are in the world’s top 50, with 10 more making the world’s top 300 – a feat matched only by a handful of other nations.

The two highest Canadian entries are McGill University (30th) and the University of Toronto (32nd), located in Montréal and Toronto respectively, the two largest cities in Canada. Also ranked within the global top 200 are the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta, University of Montreal, McMaster University, the University of Waterloo, the University of Calgary and Western University.

How to Get a Canadian Student Visa

To Study In Canada, you will require a Canadian study permit, which serves as a Canadian student visa for the time of your study. You don’t require a Canadian study permit if your course or program lasts six months or less. However, it may be a good idea to apply for a permit before you think of studying in Canada; otherwise if you decide you want to continue your studies in another program, you’ll need to leave Canada to apply for a study permit through a visa office.

If you already have a Canadian study permit, you can renew it from within Canada if you decide to continue your studies. For full-time students registered at an accredited higher education institution, a study permit also allows you to work part-time on campus. You may also be able to work off-campus, work as intern as part of your program, stay in Canada as a permanent resident or find work after your studies.

Applying for a Canadian study permit

You can apply for a Canadian study permit either online or through a paper application. Paper applications typically take about twice as long, and it’s always recommended to check the processing times well in advance. To apply online, you’ll need a credit/debit card and scanned copies of your supporting documents. We provide specific instructions about which documents you need to provide; this can vary depending on your location. If you need assistance, you can get our help whenever require.

The process for obtaining a Canadian student visa is simple: In order to get your application package you’ll need to answer a few questions about yourself on the CIC website. These questions will determine whether you are eligible to apply online for a Canadian student permit, and what documents you’ll need to provide. If you are found eligible, you will receive a personal checklist code, valid for 60 days, we will submit your application online in the mean time. We will provide you with an estimated tuition fees amount, a list of documents you will need to submit with your application, and guidelines for your next steps. Once you have your documents and application form ready and have paid your fees, we can submit your completed application to CIC. Some applicants may have to attend an interview at their local visa office.

Next steps after applying

When your Canadian student visa application is approved, you’ll receive a letter of introduction, while students from countries which require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and a temporary residence visa will be issued these if required. The ETA will be linked to your passport. It is important that you travel with the passport you used when you applied for your study permit. The ETA will be valid for five years or until your passport expires.

Present these along with your passport, proof of your finances and your letter of acceptance (and any other documents that you’ve been advised to take) to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in Canada, who will then issue your Canadian study permit and allow you access into Canada.

Working while you Study in Canada

If you’d like to get a part-time job to help support yourself while studying in Canada, you can now qualify to work on or off-campus for up to 20 hours during university semesters and full-time during breaks such as the winter or summer holidays, without the need for a work permit. To qualify, you must have a valid study permit and you have to be a full-time student. Be enrolled at a designated learning institution at post-secondary level or, in Quebec, a vocational program at secondary level. Be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is at least six months in duration. You will also need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada to work in Canada or to receive benefits and services from government programs.