Lana Oconnell
Canada is a popular destination for international students, offering a diverse range of experiences and opportunities. To study in Canada, international students must obtain a Canadian study permit, commonly known as a student visa or a study visa, from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This permit is mandatory for any program of study longer than six months. In addition to the visa, students may also need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), depending on their nationality. To obtain a study permit, applicants must provide proof of financial support, including tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation. The cost of tuition in Canada varies depending on the institution, program, and level of study. International students typically pay higher tuition fees than Canadian citizens, with undergraduate international students paying around CA$29,714 per year on average. Living expenses for international students in Canada can cost around $15,000 per year, depending on location and spending habits. To cover these expenses, students can use their savings, scholarships, or grants, or they may choose to work during their studies if their visa allows.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa requirements | You must have a valid passport and proof of funds for tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation. |
| Proof of funds | Bank statements, documentation of a student loan or scholarship, proof of payment for tuition and accommodation. |
| Minimum funds required | Varies; approximately CA$10,000<co:>-CA$20,635</co: > (US$7,570-US$15,614) for a single applicant, excluding tuition and travel costs. |
| Study permit | Required for programs longer than six months; costs CA$150 (US$114) to apply. |
| Tuition fees | Vary based on the institution, program, and level of study; on average, undergraduate international students pay CA$29,714 (US$22,500) per year. |
| Living costs | Vary depending on location and spending habits; on average, CA$15,000 (US$11,347) per year for college students. |
| Payment options | Online payment providers, bank transfers, credit cards (Mastercard, Visa), scholarships, grants, and education savings plans. |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships, grants, and fellowships
International students can apply for scholarships, grants, and fellowships to help fund their studies in Canada. The Government of Canada, its provinces, territories, and many educational institutions offer funding for international students. Many colleges and universities also offer scholarships, so it is worth contacting your institution directly to find out more.
Scholarships
There are a variety of scholarships available for international students in Canada, with some specifically for students from certain regions. For example, there are scholarships available for students from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. There are also scholarships available for students from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organization of American States (OAS). Additionally, there is an official exchange program between Canada and China that offers scholarships to Chinese scholars for research in Canada.
Grants
Grants are also available for international students, such as the Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program (FMPBP). This program is open to Canadian postsecondary institutions, which must apply online on behalf of eligible candidates.
Fellowships
There are several fellowship opportunities for international students in Canada, including the IIE-SRF Fellowship, which offers a grant of up to US$25,000 and individual health insurance for a visiting academic appointment of up to one year. The Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is another option, providing an annual stipend of $60,000 for a maximum of two years, plus a travel research allowance. The University of British Columbia (UBC) also offers a fully-funded Four Years Doctoral Fellowship Program (4YF) for international students.
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Work placements and apprenticeships
As an international student in Canada, you may be able to work on-campus or off-campus during your studies. Your eligibility to work during your studies depends on certain conditions, including the length of your program and whether the work takes place on or off-campus. Your study permit will state whether you are eligible to work while studying. Many post-secondary international students are now eligible to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus while their classes are in session.
Full-time students at university in Canada are allowed to work on campus for an unlimited number of hours if they have a social insurance number and a valid student permit. You can apply for a social insurance number for free as long as your visa has the following conditions:
- Accepts employment on the campus where a student is registered in full-time studies
- Accepts employment on or off-campus if it meets the eligibility criteria listed on the R186(f), (v) or (w) form. If you no longer meet the criteria, you must immediately cease employment.
If your visa does not currently include these conditions, you can request that Service Canada add them at no cost. You may also be able to apply for a co-op or intern work permit.
Many college programs include a work placement or apprenticeship, so you may be able to earn an income while you study. The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) offers wage subsidies to employers who provide high-quality student work placements. The program is delivered by a variety of recognised organisations and institutions that collaborate with colleges, universities, polytechnics, and CEGEPs. Employers can receive up to $5,000 per student they hire through the program.
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Student visa requirements
To obtain a student visa for Canada, you must apply for and receive approval for a study permit before arriving in the country. This is the most important document for international students wishing to study in Canada.
To be eligible for a study permit, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI). A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.
- Prove that you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any family members who will accompany you to Canada, and return transportation for yourself and your accompanying family members.
- Declare that you will obey the law and that you have no criminal record. You may need to provide a police certificate if required.
- Prove that you are in good health and provide a medical exam if required.
- Declare that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires.
In addition to these requirements, you may also need to provide other documents, such as a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) or a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if you plan to study in Quebec. If you are not a citizen of the country from which you are submitting your application, you may need to provide proof of your current immigration status. In some cases, you may be required to provide your fingerprints and photograph (biometrics).
It is important to note that you must apply for your study permit from outside of Canada. You cannot apply for a study permit at a port of entry.
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Tuition fees and costs
To study in Canada, you will need to obtain a Canadian study permit, which serves as a student visa for the duration of your stay. If your course or program lasts six months or less, you do not need a study permit. Applying for a study permit costs CA$150, and you may also need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), depending on your nationality.
Tuition fees in Canada are generally less expensive than in other major Anglophone destinations (the US, UK, and Australia). However, they are still quite high compared to other countries. The cost of tuition varies depending on the university and your country of origin. For example, the University of British Columbia charges Canadian students CA$70.50 and international students CA$118.50. You may be able to get this fee waived if you are an international student from a developing country.
On average, university tuition in Canada costs around CA$36,100 per year for international undergraduate students and CA$21,100 per year for international graduate students. Tuition fees for colleges and vocational schools vary depending on the program and school, typically ranging from CA$7,000 to CA$22,000 per year. Language school courses are usually priced by the week, with tuition ranging from CA$340 to CA$425 per week.
Living costs for students in Canada average around CA$15,000 per year, including accommodation, which can vary from CA$3,000-7,500 per year for on-campus accommodation. To obtain a study permit, you must prove that you can financially support yourself and any family members who accompany you. This includes covering tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation. The exact amount of funds you need to demonstrate depends on your program's length and location. According to the IRCC, for 2024, a single applicant studying outside Quebec will need to show they have CA$20,635, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs.
There are various payment options available for international students in Canada. The University of Toronto, for instance, has authorized Convera and Flywire, online payment providers, to process international student tuition and residence fee payments, bank-to-bank payments, and online payments for non-Canadian denominated credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, UnionPay). The University of Toronto has also partnered with Moneris to provide an online credit card payment option for Mastercard and Visa credit cards.
Other options for paying tuition fees include education savings plans such as a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) or a 529 College Savings Plan. A RESP is a long-term savings account designed to help individuals save for a child's post-secondary education. To withdraw from a RESP, your financial institution will request proof of enrolment. Funds are typically dispersed directly to the student, who then makes the payment to the university. A tuition fee deferral is another option, where a student can delay payment of their tuition fees to a later date.
Many colleges and universities in Canada offer scholarships, fellowships, or grants to international students. Additionally, the Government of Canada, its provinces and territories, and educational institutions offer funding for international students.
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Living costs
The cost of living in Canada varies according to the city you live in and your lifestyle choices. The 2019 Mercer Cost of Living Survey found that Toronto and Vancouver were the most expensive cities for international students, with rents often exceeding CAD 4,000 per month. On the other hand, cities like Winnipeg, Montreal, and Calgary offer significantly lower monthly expenses, ranging from CAD 2,000 to CAD 2,400.
The three main types of student accommodation (homestay, university accommodation, and private accommodation) vary considerably in cost. Students can pay around CAD 3,000–7,500 per year for on-campus accommodation, while private shared accommodation can cost around CAD 8,400 per year, plus bills. Renting a studio or one-room apartment can cost over CAD 1,000 per month. Basic utilities (electricity, water, heating, and garbage) can cost around CAD 150 per month. Food bills can be kept relatively low, at around CAD 300 per month when shopping at local supermarkets and groceries. Eating out at a restaurant will cost around CAD 10–25.
The total cost of studying in Canada ranges from CAD 30,000 to CAD 42,000 per year, depending on your program level, institution, and lifestyle. This includes one-time costs such as application fees, visa charges, flights, and language tests, as well as recurring expenses like tuition, rent, and living costs.
International students applying for Canadian study visas must demonstrate financial preparedness by showing a minimum amount of funds necessary to cover living expenses, tuition, and travel costs. The threshold for the Cost of Living Financial Requirement has been set at CAD 20,635 for a single applicant, effective January 1, 2024. This represents a significant increase from the previous threshold of CAD 10,000, which had been in place since the early 2000s.
It is important to note that tuition fees in Canada can be quite high, especially for international students, and may vary depending on the university, program, and student level. On average, university tuition costs around CAD 36,100 per year for international undergraduate students and CAD 21,100 per year for international graduate students. Living costs for university students average around CAD 15,000 per year.
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Frequently asked questions
A Canadian study permit, also known as a student visa, is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows international students to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. The permit is required for any program of study longer than six months.
The costs of studying in Canada vary depending on the university and your country of origin. For example, undergraduate international students can expect to pay around $29,714 per year in tuition fees. Living costs can be around $15,000 per year, but this depends on your location and spending habits.
You need to prove that you can financially support yourself and any family members who accompany you. This includes covering tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation. Accepted proof includes bank statements, documentation of a student loan, and proof of payment for tuition and accommodation.
The Government of Canada, its provinces and territories, and many educational institutions offer funding for international students. Many colleges and universities also offer scholarships. Contact your institution directly for more information.
