n terms of per capita investment in education, Canada is among the leaders in the G8 and in order to ensure the educational standards, the provinces and territories have their own mechanisms.Canada has a flexible education system and students can either study in English or French. Along with worldwide recognized degrees, Canada also provides opportunities for students to work while studying and after graduation.

The school structures vary throughout the provinces in Canada however; the basic structure is similar where education system in each province/ territory includes three tiers- elementary, secondary and post-secondary. Education is mandatory for students up to age 15, 16 or 18 depending on the jurisdiction.

Elementary or Primary Schools

The elementary or primary school is attended by the children in Canada for the first 8 grades of school, Quebec being an exception where it only has 6 grades. Children then move on to high school (secondary school) after their completion of elementary school.

Secondary or High Schools

After their completion of primary school, students attend secondary schools which usually run from grades 9 to 12, except Quebec which starts in grade 7 and ends in grade 11. Canada has one of the strongest student achievement records in the world and the teenagers here are among the best educated in the world. Upon the completion of high school usually at age 17 or 18, students move on to college or university.

Post-secondary Schools

Students complete the requirements for graduation by the end of secondary school after which they can apply for admission to post-secondary institution where they are required to satisfy to various admission requirements such as language proficiency and other criteria depending on the choice of their institution. Students can choose from colleges, universities or technical institutes where they can opt to take diploma or certificate courses or even full degree programs. Canada ranks highest in the OECD with 54% of Canadians aged 25 to 64 with a post-secondary degree or diploma.

The semesters in university and colleges in Canada usually commences in early September and continue till mid-December where they complete their first semester. Students enjoy holiday break from mid-December to early January and continue their second semester from early January to early May. Upon the completion of their second semester, they enjoy summer holidays from May to August.

Diploma and Certificate Programs – Associate Degree
The degree programs offered in Canada may be two-year associate degrees or even four- year applied degrees. Generally, the university diplomas and certificates require students to study one or two years in a specific field but, these programs could vary depending on the institution. These programs are mostly offered in community colleges and thousands of international students choose to study in community colleges each year. You can transfer your Certificate or Associates Degree from a community college to a Bachelor degree.

Undergraduate- Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s degree offered in Canada requires a student to study three of four years full-time, depending on the program. Canada also offers honours baccalaureate degree which usually signalshigher level of academic achievement. Some universities may require an additional year of study for an honours degree.

Postgraduate- Master’s Degree/ Doctoral Degree
Master’s degree offered in Canada usually requires a student to study for two years. Students need to complete their Master’s degree in order to pursue a doctoral program. There have been some exceptions where students have directly entered into doctoral programs after the completion of their honours baccalaureate program. The doctorate degree also known as Ph.D. usually requires three to four or sometimes even five years of intensive study, research and dissertation.

Professions such as medicine, law, education or social work requires internship in order to obtain a license to practice.

It is suggested that you start searching for the potential universities months before starting your studies because the process will take time. You can narrow down your choices when you have an idea of what course you want to study and where in Canada do you want to study.

How do I choose a right course and university?
Narrowing down your choices of universities and exploring the official websites of those universities is the right way to start. The websites usually have a section dedicated to international students where you can learn about the academic excellence, support offered to the international students, costs of studying, scholarships and award for international students. It can help you know about the student life, accommodation options, the admission procedures and entry requirements and help you make your decision as these are the major factors to consider when choosing you course and university.

How do I get an Admission to University?
You can simply visit the university website to learn about the application process. The universities usually require you to fill an online application form and pay the application fee. It is very important to submit your application before the deadline mentioned. You should also upload the required documents as suggested in the university website. You can check your eligibility criteria and apply for scholarships if you meet the requirement. When you submit you complete application package, the university will contact you with an admission offer. You can simply confirm your acceptance to get an admission to the university. You can also contact the university’s Office of Admissions and ask for the detailed information on the application process.

Course Fees in Canada
Canada is comparatively more affordable than other countries and the course fee for an undergraduate degree or graduate degree varies according to your choice of program and university. On average, the tuition fees for an international undergraduate student is CA$29714 per year and the tuition fees for a post graduate degree is CA$17,774 per year.

Scholarships for international students in Canada
Canada offers many scholarships and opportunities for financial assistance for international students mostly available at the graduate level, but some undergraduate entrance scholarships are also offered. International students are suggested to apply early to be considered for the scholarship programs. Criteria such as academic excellence, involvement in community, athletic excellence or needs are considered. Students can check their respective institution’s website for any scholarships offered or they can also check for any government funding offered by the Canadian government for international students.

International students of high academic standing at the graduate level are offered assistance in the form of teaching/ departmental assistantships, research funds, university graduate scholarships, any external scholarships offered by a third party or bursaries which are awards based on financial need.

Entry Requirements in Canada
The university website can clearly give you the requirements for admissions to you particular degree program. However, most university requires your academic documents and language proficiency certificate. Academic documents include your transcripts from previous education, certificates of merit, letter of recommendation if required and a statement of purpose. You will also need to submit a proof of language proficiency and submit other additional documents like a scanned copy of your passport and resume or CV if required.

English Language Requirements in Canada
Canada offers degree programs in both English and French language. Majority of international students choose English taught programs and are required to submit IELTS, TOEFL or PTE scores. Generally, the IELTS requirement to pursue your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is an overall 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in each band or equivalent.

The Canadian student visa requirement mentions you must at least have CA$10,000 on top of your tuition fees. However, the living costs will vary depending on your location and habits of spending as the large cities are comparatively more expensive to live in. Toronto is considered the most expensive city to live in followed by Vancouver where rents are particularly higher. You will also need to purchase a compulsory health insurance which costs approximately CA$600- 800 per year. Henceforth, an average of CA$10,000- 12,000 per year would be required to cover your living costs in Canada.

What is a Study Permit?
Study Permit in Canada refers to a document issued by the Canadian government to international students to study at the universities and institutions in Canada. It is a document that indicates the educational institute the student is toattend, duration of stay and any restrictions in terms of work.

Study Permit is not your visa and it does not allow you entry into Canada. You will also need a student visa that will allow you entry into Canada.

Student Visa vs. Study Permit
A lot of times students confuse study permit with student visa. However, it is very important to understand that these are completely two different things.

Student Visa is an authorization to enter into Canada while, a Study Permit is the authority to stay in Canada. It clearly means that the border services officer can deny you entry into Canada even when you have a visa but don’t have your Study Permit.

When your Study Permit is approved, you will also receive a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) which will grant you entry into Canada. The government of Canada does not really issue a “Student Visa”.

How long can you stay in Canada with a Study Permit?
Study Permit is valid until the length of your study program with an additional 90 days. The extra 90 days allows you time to either leave Canada or to apply for extension. The date of expiry of study permit is provided at the time of issuing it.

In case you finish your studies before the course end date, the 90 days extra period will be valid from the course end date irrespective of the date mentioned on your study permit.

What are the documents required to apply for a Study Permit?
The major documents required in order to apply for your Study Permit includes your proof of acceptance which is the letter of acceptance sent to you by your university or institution, proof of identity which is your valid passport, two recent passport-size photos and proof of financial support which could be in the form of education loan, bank statements, a bank draft or proof you paid your tuition and housing fees in order to prove that you can fund your stay in Canada.

You may also need to submit a letter of explanation which will help your visa officer understand the reasons you want to study in Canada and that you understand the responsibilities as an international student.

In case you want to study in Quebec for longer than 6 months, you will need a certificate d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) and your school can give you the details on how to apply for the CAQ.

How can you get your Study Permit?
Before you apply for a study permit, you should apply to a university or institute for your course of study. You can apply for your study permit when you get accepted. You can simply submit your application along with the necessary documents and the fees.

Applying for a study permit costs CA$150 only.

Extending your study permit
You will require a study permit extension in case you want to continue studying for longer than the validity period of your study permit. You can simply submit an application to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenships Canada (IRCC). It is important that applications for extensions are made from within Canada and you should plan ahead to ensure your application is submitted in advance before the expiration of your current study permit.

Do you need to apply for your visa?
In case you need a visa, you will be automatically issued with it at the same time as your study permit. No additional fee or separate application is required.

What if you get refused?
You could get refused for several reasons like lack of proof of sufficient funds required or, lack of proof that your stay in Canada is only temporary. You may be able to reapply considering and understanding the reasons for your refusal.

It is suggested that you create your packing list so that you can take all the necessary and essential stuff with you to Canada. Generally, students are required to carry with their essential documents and pack essentials like clothing items, laptops and other electronics, essential kitchen items and may be some spices, your cosmetics or toiletries and you can even pack few items that remind you of your home country. However, please check with your airlines on any restrictions on the luggage.

Some of the important documents to carry are your valid passport, your airline tickets, the letter of introduction sent by the visa office with your permit reference number used to issue your study permit. You should also carry letter of acceptance and proof of your funding.  Other essentials could be some important contact numbers, accommodation information and health insurance documentation. You will also be advised by your university if you will need to carry any additional document.

At your arrival in Canada, you have to pass through the immigration where a border services officer who has the legal authority to decide who can enter and remain in Canada will make sure you meet some basic requirements to enter Canada. You will need to provide the officer with the requested documents that you have carried along with you. The visa office will advise you any additional documents you will require to carry along with you.

What can you expect at the immigration office?
Anyone arriving in Canada should complete a declaration form provided when you board your flight where you have to fill in information about yourself, your travel and what you’re bringing along with you. You should keep the declaration card along with your travel documents handy.

When you arrive at the airport, you should follow the signs to get to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) checkpoint where a border services officer will check your declaration card and your travel documents. You could be asked a series of questions and as mentioned in the Government of Canada website, the final approved study permit is issued by the border services officer who will use your permit reference number available on the letter of introduction sent to you by the visa office when your study permit was approved. It is important for students to make sure that your study permit contains your correct personal information and dates. You can then proceed to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage.

In case of any issues, you can contact your university admission office or, visa office. For delay in luggage or lost luggage, you can simply contact your airline’s representative.

How to get to your university from the airport?
There are various options available for students on how to get to their university. You can book a seat with shuttle services, take a taxi or, you can simply also opt for bus, train or even rent a car.

Your education provider will advise you on getting to the university before you travel to Canada. On certain dates, they also provide free airport pick- up services.

It is mandatory for international students to arrive before the start of the orientation week. During this week, you will be introduced to the university and the services provided and you can also enroll in your classes. It is suggested that students read the guidebook provided to you by your university or college which explain the admission process in detail.

It is suggested that students get their student identification card from their education provider which to access various services and sometimes also access student discounts in Canada. Your university or institution will advise you on the procedures in order to obtain your student identification card.

International students can also get their International Student Identity Card (ISIC), the only internationally recognized student ID card. Students can enjoy various discounts and save money with this card. You can apply online, pay a minimal fee required to get your card.

The universities and institutions generally have a section dedicated to the international students which offers the students with endless support beginning from assisting the students with their application process to helping them with their travel plans and accommodation. Apart from helping student get to the university, they also support students with counseling services in case of any home sickness or difficulties in adjusting to an entirely new environment. Some universities also provide career counseling facilities which help a student whenever they are confused and need help regarding their career choices and course of study.

How can you open a bank account in Canada?
The banks in Canada offer students a great deal however there are a few things you need to consider when choosing a bank. You will be charged a transaction fee every time you use an ATM of other banks so the best is to choose a bank which has an ATM in your university or near.

There are usualy two types of bank accounts you can sign up for: a checking account where you can deposit or withdraw money whenever you want or a saving account which allows a student to save.

Opening up a bank account will be easy if you visit the nearest branch of the bank with your documents that includes your identification which could be your Passport, Study Permit or traveller’scheque. You can simply complete the application process and get a bank account in Canada with assistance from the bank of your choice.

How can I see a doctor in Canada?
It is suggested that all international students make arrangements for health insurance during their study program in Canada. Without health insurance you will have to pay out-of-pocket for any medical services.

You can simply register for your health insurance with the help of the university or institution you are applying to as each province in Canada works under its own term and have different health insurance plans.

There are emergency services available in case of any emergencies or you can simply visit walk-in-clinics typically available in school campus for health issues that aren’t very urgent.

Working while studying
The Canadian government allows a full-time international student issued with study permit to work up to 20 hours per week during regular school sessions. International students are allowed to work full- time during breaks such as winter or summer holidays without the need for a work permit however, you will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) issued from the Service Canada.

How can you get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in Canada?
SIN is a nine-digit number required for international students to work in Canada and to access any government programs or other employment benefits. You will need to provide your employer with your SIN. No fee is required to apply for a SIN. You can apply for it online, by mail or in person.

You will need to provide a copy of your original valid primary identity document i.e. your study permit, a copy of valid secondary document i.e. your passport, a copy of your proof of address etc.

You will receive a letter with your SIN within 20 business days from the date you submitted your application.

Taxes for International Students in Canada
All incomes made in Canada are taxable and international students are also liable to file a tax return. You are considered to be a resident as an international student in Canada and it is important to determine your residency status before filing a tax return. When filing taxes for the first time, you should enter your first date of arrival. In case you have lived in Canada for less than 183 days (in the calendar year) and have not earned income from a Canadian source, you are not liable to file a tax return.

Can international students drive in Canada?
International students with a valid license from their home country can drive in Canada for a limited period of time however, it is best to check with the government of your province or territory. It is suggested that you get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country that will give you a translation of your license in English language. Certain provinces allow international students to drive with their foreign license during the course of their studies while in other provinces, international students must apply for a driving license provincially.

As an international student, can I visit home or travel outside Canada during my course of study?
You can visit your home country or other destinations during your course breaks or summer/winter holidays. To travel to other destinations, it is important that you do the required to obtain your visa or permit if required. However, it is important that you meet the entry requirements when you reenter Canada.

Can my parents visit me in Canada?
You can invite your parents to visit you in Canada during your course of study and they will have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) which will allow your parents to travel to Canada.

You have a time frame of 180 days after getting your final marks to apply for your Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The length of the validity of the PGWP depends on the length of your study program but, programs less than 8 months are not eligible for a PGWP.

A full- time international studentwho graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada can be issued a PGWP for a maximum of 3 years.

It is important to note that you study permit will automatically expire 90 days after the completion of your study program henceforth, it is suggested that you apply while your study permit is still valid.

Canada allows international students who have Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency. The federal and provincial government offers international students with various immigration programs which have different requirements. Some permanent residence avenues are as follows:

Express Entry
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Quebec Experience Program
Other Federal Programs
For detailed information on study pathways to permanent residency, you can simply visit the IRCC website.

Your PGWP provides you a path to gain permanent residency status as you will be in a great position to apply under the Canadian Express Entry immigration system.

The most prominent way of pursuing a Canadian PR status- Express Entry
Express entry is an electronicimmigration application management system for those who want to permanently reside in Canada. A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a point- based system is used by the government to assess the interested candidates. The CRS score is calculated on the basis of applicant’s age, education, work experience, language skills and others.

The Canadian government selects candidates and provides them with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. You can then submit your complete Application for Permanent Residence (APR) to IRCC, pay your fees after which you will receive your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR). IRCC usually takes up to 6 months or less to finalize their decision after which you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa if approved.

What are the requirements for international student to apply for permanent residency through express entry?
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry allows international students who have Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency status. Students are required to have at least one year of skilled, professional or technical work experience and should also meet the language criteria.