International Students In Canada: Who's Allowed?

Canada is a popular destination for international students, with the country's institutions offering a range of educational opportunities. All primary and secondary schools in Canada can enrol international students, and there are also designated learning institutions (DLIs) at the post-secondary level, including universities, colleges, and language schools. International students in Canada have certain benefits, such as the ability to work off-campus without a permit under certain conditions, and revised requirements for post-graduation work permits. However, there are also caps on new international student enrolments, with targets for approved study permits in place for 2025.

International students can enrol in primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools in Canada

International students are allowed to enrol in primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools in Canada. Each province and territory in Canada designates schools that can enrol international students, and these are known as designated learning institutions (DLIs). All primary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs, and they can enrol international students. However, at the post-secondary level, only certain institutions are designated for international students. These include universities, colleges, CEGEPs, vocational schools, private career colleges, and language schools.

If you are an international student intending to enrol in a post-secondary institution in Canada, you must ensure that the school you select is a DLI. Your application for a study permit will be refused if your acceptance letter is not from an institution designated for international students. Each post-secondary school has its own set of rules for application, including the level of English or French proficiency required for acceptance.

International students in Canada can work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet other requirements. To work in Canada, a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required. International students can apply for a SIN and request to have work conditions added to their study permit. After completing their studies, international students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Previously, there was a field-of-study restriction for PGWP eligibility, but this has been removed, making it easier for graduates of Canadian colleges to obtain work permits.

The Canadian government sets annual targets for approved study permits and has introduced enrolment caps for new international students. These caps are distributed across provinces according to the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) formula. The allocation of PALs includes a breakdown of the maximum number of applications per province and the types of institutions, such as public post-secondary institutions, language schools, and private colleges.

International students must apply for a study permit and a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

International students who want to study in Canada must apply for a study permit and a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). A DLI is a school that has been approved by the province or territory to enrol international students. This includes universities, colleges, CEGEPs, vocational schools, private career colleges, and language schools. Each province and territory in Canada has its own list of designated institutions, and it is important to ensure that the school you apply to is on this list. The list can be found on the website of the provincial or territorial government.

Once you have chosen a school, you must apply for a study permit. The requirements for a study permit may vary depending on the province or territory, but generally, you will need to provide proof of acceptance from a DLI, proof of financial support, and a valid passport. It is important to note that you must apply for a study permit before you come to Canada. You cannot apply for a study permit from within Canada.

If you are planning to study in French in Canada, you may be eligible to apply under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot. This program is for students from specific countries who want to study in French. It is important to check the requirements for this program, as they may be different from the regular study permit requirements.

In addition to the study permit, international students must also have a valid passport and a letter of acceptance from a DLI. The letter of acceptance must be included with your study permit application. If your letter of acceptance is not from a DLI, your application will be refused.

It is also important to consider health coverage when applying to study in Canada as an international student. Health coverage for foreign students can vary depending on the province or territory, so it is important to contact the school you are applying to for more information about health insurance.

International students can work off-campus without a work permit if they meet specific requirements

International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit, provided they meet the necessary requirements. To be eligible, students must be enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution (DLI), such as a university or college, and be in their last semester of their study program, not requiring a full course load to complete it. It is important to note that eligibility requirements for off-campus work differ from those of the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP).

International students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit, starting from November 8, 2024. To ensure compliance, both students and employers must confirm eligibility for off-campus work without a permit before commencing work. Students must also be aware that they cannot work before their study program starts and that their study permit may specify whether they are allowed to work during their studies.

To work off-campus without a permit, international students must meet specific criteria outlined in paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. They may also accept employment on or off-campus by fulfilling the eligibility criteria in paragraphs R186(f), (v), or (w). Students must cease working if they no longer meet these criteria. It is possible to request an amendment to include these conditions on the study permit at no cost.

Additionally, international students can work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as winter and summer holidays, without restrictions on working hours. However, if they are on authorized leave from their studies or switching schools, they cannot work off-campus and can only resume working once they return to their studies. International students should refer to their study permit conditions and consult official sources for detailed information on working while studying in Canada.

International students can apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) without meeting the field of study requirements

International students are allowed to study in Canada, but they must apply to a designated learning institution (DLI). Each province and territory in Canada designates which schools are allowed to enrol international students. These include universities, colleges, CEGEPs, vocational schools, private career colleges, and language schools.

International students in Canada are also allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, as long as they meet other requirements for working while studying. They can also apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to work full-time after graduation.

The PGWP is an open work permit given to international students who graduate from a Canadian program of study. It allows holders to work for any employer, for as many hours as they wish, anywhere in Canada. The duration of a PGWP is typically between eight months and three years, depending on the length of the applicant's study program, its level, and when their passport expires.

As of November 1, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented new language and field of study requirements for certain international students applying for the PGWP. However, there is an exception to the field of study requirement. If an international student requires a study permit extension on or after November 1, 2024, to continue or complete the same program indicated in their Letter of Acceptance (LOA), they will remain eligible for a PGWP even if their program does not meet the field of study requirement. This means that international students can still apply for the PGWP without meeting the field of study requirements as long as they are extending their stay to finish their current program.

Health coverage for international students varies depending on the province or territory they live in

Canada is known for its world-class education and publicly funded healthcare system. However, international students are not automatically eligible for free universal healthcare in every province and territory. While universal healthcare is mandated at the federal level, each province and territory in Canada is responsible for designating schools at the post-secondary level that may enrol international students. These schools are known as designated learning institutions (DLI).

The health care system is administered at the provincial level, and each province operates differently. There are 13 distinct provincial and territorial health insurance plans. Depending on where an international student lives, they may be eligible for provincial health insurance or may need to register for private health insurance.

For example, international students in Alberta studying for at least six months are usually eligible for provincial health insurance coverage through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). However, AHCIP only covers basic health expenses and does not include dental care or prescription drugs. In contrast, international students in Saskatchewan studying for at least six months may be eligible to register for free basic health coverage through the province by obtaining a Saskatchewan Health Card.

The province of Quebec has reciprocity agreements with ten different countries, which sometimes enables residents of these countries to register for free basic health insurance through Quebec's Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). If an international student is from a country not covered by a reciprocity agreement, they will be automatically enrolled to purchase the group health insurance plan offered by their educational institution.

International students are generally required to have mandatory health coverage under the University Health Insurance Program (UHIP), which helps cover the cost of medical services and hospital stays while in Canada. If an international student is not eligible for provincial health coverage, they can apply for private health insurance.

Frequently asked questions