• Certificate or Diploma of one or two years of duration
• Advanced Diplomas of two or three years
• Undergraduate Programs of three or four years
• Postgraduate Programs of two years
• Doctorates or PhDs of four or five years with dissertation

The most popular undergraduate courses are engineering and administrative studies. Postgraduate courses that are popular among international students are management, finance, MBA/MIM, MS, and LLB degrees.

The higher education system in Canada is no different from the American education system. There are three main types of Canadian institutions for education:

• Public Universities : Besides receiving tuition fees from students, these universities are run by the provincial, territorial, or federal governments.
• Private Universities : These universities do not receive any funds from Canadian government bodies. These universities receive funds through donations and research grants.
• Liberal Arts Colleges : Public or private colleges are smaller in number in Canada than in the USA. Their primary emphasis is on undergraduate programs in liberal arts.

Some colleges offer a winter intake. Fall is the primary intake season for most institutions. International students should follow a typical application deadline, which would be 6 to 9 months before the start of the session.

Deadlines are usually not flexible except for diploma and PG diploma courses. Some institutions accept students for bachelor and masters degree courses past the given deadline, if seats are available.

• University of Winnipeg : It is compulsory here to produce proof of the English language. This university does not consider IELTS to be essential. You can avail of other alternatives in the university itself.
• Brock University: IELTS is not required to get enrolled in this university. Other alternatives like TOEFL and IELP (Intensive English Language Program) are also valid. Your last three years of study in English with decent grades are also valid here.
• University of Saskatchewan: Apart from IELTS and TOEFL, this university also accepts CanTest. This is a Canadian Test of English for scholars and trainees from other countries. This university’s English Language Training program is also a good option.
• Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador: This is one of the top-ranked universities in Canada. You can attend the CAEL or the ELP (English Language Program) classes here or attempt IELTS, TOEFL, or CanTest.
• Cambrian College: It is well-known for its broad focus on research and employment. IELTS and TOEFL are not required for admission. International students can continue their studies with other universities in Canada.

It is important to note that a study permit is not the same as a study visa. Here are some scenarios where a foreign national will not require a study permit for education in Canada.

Short Term Studies

• When your study program or course lasts 6 months or less.
• When your studies are not a part of any longer study program.
• When you complete all studies within the time frame approved.

You will however have to obtain a study permit even if the course is less than 6 months long if you are taking a prerequisite course. You may otherwise have to apply for a study permit, before you begin the full study program.

Other conditions for exemption of study permit for your education in Canada:

• You are related to the staff of Foreign Representatives: Foreign representatives are accredited by GAC (Global Affairs Canada). Your embassy will have to contact GAC to find out if you require a study permit to study in Canada.
• You are a member of Foreign Armed Forces: Members of foreign armed forces on official duties will not require a study permit in Canada. However, family members, including minor children will need one for studying here.
• You are a Registered Indian in Canada: If you are a citizen of another country but have a Registered Indian status in Canada, you will not require a study permit for studying there.
• Minor Indian Children in Canada: Minor children whose parents are refugees, refugee claimants, or parents having work or study permits will not require a separate study permit while seeking admission into preschool, kindergarten, primary or secondary school.

You will need to prepare well for meeting Canadian scholarship requirements. This is difficult and requires lengthy preparation, but the right approach can be fruitful.

• Research Experience: This is crucial for graduate program applicants. It greatly enhances your chances of obtaining financial aid, even if you are applying for undergraduate programs.
• Grade Point Average (GPA): This is another important aspect of getting a scholarship for graduate or undergraduate programs in Canada. Colleges and universities here consider a key metric for measuring the success of potential students.
• Internships: Internship experience greatly enhances the success of your scholarship application. Ask for letters of recommendation from your previous employers, especially if your work is related to the field of study.
• Community Service: This is another aspect of your scholarship application that can make it shine. Students with community service hours are looked up to as caring and considerate.

International students have to submit the following documents for the first stage:

• letter of acceptance;
• Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (for Quebec students only);
• proof of funds;
• proof that they can leave Canada when they no longer have legal temporary or permanent status; and
• any family ties to Canada.

International students can begin studying after immigration officers assess their applications and issue pre-approval when eligible. 

International students will need to submit the following documents to go to Canada:

• Immigration medical examination
• Security-Police certificates
• Biometrics

As of January 15, 2022, all international students and their dependents, with limited exceptions, must be fully vaccinated to enter Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently determined that international students can start their studies online in their home country and not travel to Canada. But even to start studying online in their home country, students still need a valid visa and fee payment.

To get a study permit in Canada, you must first go to a designated study institution. After acceptance, you can proceed with the application for the study permit online. In addition to the application, you will need to submit certain documents and meet all the Canada Government requirements.

There are some basic steps you can undertake to avail a scholarship in Canada. Universities giving generous scholarships to international students in Canada are aplenty.

However, you will need a great application to be able to get fully-funded scholarships in Canada. A variety of sources can help you find these scholarships.

Choosing where to apply is the next logical step in the process of applying. Narrowing down the best option can be daunting.Apart from your area of study, consider these factors while choosing the right college or Canadian university :

• Primary Language of the College : English, and French are common languages in Canada. Some colleges use one or both as their main language.
• Type of College : Choose an institute, college, or university th at is the right kind for you. This is an important point in your education.
• Type of Degree : This will depend upon what you are planning to pursue. It can be an associates, bachelors, masters or Ph.Ds.
• Location : Research the area surrounding your educational facility. Is it an urban, suburban, or rural location, and does that suit you?
• Size of College : Are you comfortable in a large or small campus? Do you prefer small seminars or big lectures? Decide where you are most comfortable.
• The reputation of the University : Spend time researching the reputation of the college. Job placement rates of graduates from the college or university depend on this.
• Quality of Resources & Facilities : Check out the availability and quality of technical equipment, including the labs and libraries that are in the institution.
• Opportunities for Work Experience : Does the college run a cooperative program to add to your experience?
• Fees & Financial Assistance :  Does the institution offer you grants or scholarships to help? Studying abroad can be expensive.
• Faculty & Staff : Research the faculty and staff associated with your study program. There may be someone in particular that you would like to study with.
• Recreational Activities : Check out the availability of sports, clubs, or a newspaper, if it interests you. Extracurricular activities can be useful.
• Accommodation for Special Needs : This is particularly important for international students, if you have physical or learning disabilities.

Yes, you can study in Canada without IELTS. This English skill test is not required in 2024. There are several Canadian institutions offering study programs without IELTS. They adopt different measures to check your language capability. These universities accept other forms of English language credentials apart from IELTS.

• Produce a letter of recommendation from your previous faculties about your English proficiency.
• Qualify if you have studied in an English-medium school for four or more than four years.
• If you have attended a university’s language school for a semester or 12 months.
• Natives of English-speaking nations are also exempted.

Yes, your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children are eligible to enter Canada with you on a work or study permit. Your ability to bring along your family while you study is a great benefit.

The following conditions depending on your case may be listed on your study permit –

• Whether you are allowed to work in Canada while studying.
• If you are allowed to travel within Canada during the study.
• The last date of your education in Canada.

• If a foreign national receives written approval for a temporary work or study permit before entering Canada, his or her family members may apply for a study permit without a Letter of Acceptance.
• Students who wish to pursue a study program of six months or less do not need to obtain a Letter of Acceptance because they do not require a study permit.

If an applicant is applying to a study program offered by more than one institution, the Letter of Acceptance should state this clearly. Both institutions must be DLIs. The Letter of Acceptance should be issued by the concerned DLI. If the degree is issued by more than one DLI, the Letter of Acceptance should be issued by the DLI where the student intends to begin his or her study program. In this situation, the Letter of Acceptance should clearly state:

• The name, type, and location of the other institution;
• The course(s) the potential student intends to pursue at a different institution; and/or
• The semester(s) that the potential student intends to spend at a different institution.

Canadian student visa applicants can reapply after being rejected. Evaluate why the earlier application was rejected and ensure that the same mistake is not repeated again. Your Canada Student Visa can take up to a maximum of 45 business days as per new guidelines issued under the SDS program.

While there are no colleges or universities in Canada that are tuition-free, you can cover the costs of tuition, room, and board by receiving a fully-funded scholarship. A scholarship is the best way to study in Canada for free.

• Search for Fully Funded Scholarships : This is an essential aspect if you want to study in Canada for free. Your consultant is an expert who can be immensely helpful in finding the right source.
• Apply for Scholarships to Study for Free : You increase your chances if you apply to several universities. Complete the applications carefully and attach the required documents along with them.
• Attend Affordable Universities to Cut Down Tuition Costs : Although helpful, this aspect alone will not be able to fully cover the cost of studying in Canada. However, there are universities here that provide a great education at affordable costs.
• Work in Canada while Studying : Working is another way in Canada to finance your studies. Your Canada study visa allows you to work for 20 hours a week during the academic semester and 40 hours a week during vacations.
• Find Work Online : You can also find work online as a freelancer or start an online business. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are great sources where you can earn money while studying in Canada.

There is a rise in rejection with an increase in the number of student visa applications. On average, about 39% of total study permit visas are rejected each year. Several factors influence the steep rise in Canadian student visa rejection.

There are a multitude of opportunities for international students to apply for permanent residency after studying in Canada. Spearheaded by the Federal Express Entry system, there is a wide network of immigration programs offering citizenship Canada :

• The Atlantic Immigration Pilot has a specific stream for international graduates.
• With three streams at different levels of graduates, Ontario, the largest province in Canada leads the way among the provincial nominee programs.
• When the PR candidate has an advanced level knowledge of French, Quebec’s international graduate stream will not require a job offer.
• Specific international graduate streams are also available for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.
• PR provision for international graduates is available under the Alberta Opportunity Stream.

Other provinces are offering a window of up to three years to hold a post graduation work permit for gaining the required work experience to qualify for Canadian permanent residence.

Most common reasons for rejection of Canada Student Visa include –

• Financial insufficiency for studying in Canada.
• The chosen study program fails to align with the applicant’s academic or employment background.
• Issues with the applicant’s Letter of Acceptance from the Canadian institution 
• Non-native, English-speaking international students failing to submit the required proof of language proficiency when required
• Lack of supporting evidence in your travel history or identity documents 
• Lack of intent to return to the home country as the study permit is a temporary visa 
• Lack of job opportunities in the home country is another indication that the applicant is intending to settle in Canada. The choice of your study program should not cast such doubts.

You must abide by these while studying in Canada :

• Ensure progress with your study program.
• Respect all conditions listed on your study permit.
• Stop studying when you no longer meet the requirements.
• Prepare to leave Canada at the expiry of your study permit.

Prospective international students can study either French or English as a second language in Canada. The programs are of good quality, as can be seen on the Languages Canada website. This organization provides a quality assessment of the language schools across Canada and offers lists of approved programs and members.

The immigration officer examining an application for a study permit renewal has the right to request proof that the applicant has met the requirements of the original study permit. This may manifest as a letter from the institution clarifying that the student has been actively pursuing his or her studies.A second Letter of Acceptance is not generally required for the renewal of a study permit.

As an international student in Canada, you can work for 20 hours every week during session, and full-time on breaks.

In order to be eligible to work off-campus during his or her studies, an international student must:

• hold a valid study permit;
• be studying full-time at a (Visit our dedicated page for a comprehensive Designated Learning Institution (DLI) List);
• have satisfactory academic standing as determined by their institution;
• be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that is at least six months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate
• have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

If an international student’s situation changes and he or she no longer meets any of the above eligibility requirements, he or she must stop working off-campus.

Sometimes a student who is no longer studying full-time may be able to continue working off-campus if he/she is now studying part-time because it is the last semester of his or her study program and a full-time course schedule is no longer required to complete the program of study.

• Students enrolled in an English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) program;
• Students taking a general interest course or program; and
• Visiting or exchange students at a designated learning institution

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) considers a student’s full-time status based on the number of hours and credits allocated towards the completion of a degree.

If a student gets a job working for an employer based on campus, it is considered on-campus work.

An on-campus employer includes the school, a faculty member, a student organization, a private business (located within the boundaries of the campus), a private contractor that provides services to the school, and being self-employed on-campus.

International students pursuing a study program at a DLI in Canada that requires a mandatory work placement or internship can apply for a co-op or intern work permit in addition to a valid study permit.

Learn more about Co-op Work Permits in Canada.

Once the international student graduates, a Post-Graduation Work Permit may be obtained.

In some cases, spouses or common-law partners of international students studying full-time may be eligible for an open work permit. Visit our dedicated page for information on the advantages of an open work permit.

If you have any questions about applying for Canadian permanent residence, please contact us.

Main Types of Accommodation:

1. Student Residence 
2. Off-campus shared apartment
3. Host family/homestay
4. Apartment rentals