If you have decided to pursue your higher studies in Canada, then the move will be a transformational experience for you. Studying abroad is considered a significant life shift for international applicants.
You are not only embarking on the next stage of your educational path, but you are also doing it in a foreign country. It is certainly a never-to-miss opportunity; however, the prospect of studying abroad might initially make you feel a little overwhelmed with respect to planning for your travel/stay. Obtaining an offer from a university is just the first step. Beyond that, there are a plethora of steps for which you need to prepare. You could be bombarded with questions like “what will the weather be like?”; “what should I carry to Canada?; “where should I stay?”; “what about my financial expenses?”. If that is the case, don’t worry – we understand.
Through this blog, we have endeavoured to answer all of your travel/stay-related questions so that you can be stress-free. Now, let us start checking off these requirements for commencing your studies in Canada as an international student.
You must have received a letter of acceptance if you have bagged admission to a Canadian university. An acceptance letter is also known as an offer letter. In order to obtain a Canadian study permit, you will need to produce your acceptance letter. If you have any queries regarding the process, you must reach out to your Canadian education consultant.
A passport is a mandatory requirement for international travel. Please apply for a passport in your home country if you do not already have one. If you already have one, kindly ensure it is up to date. You will not be able to fly abroad if your passport expires in fewer than six months.
You can also carry the original and photocopies of some other official government identification from your home country. It can include things like:
Note: Kindly ensure your passport is up-to-date once you arrive in Canada. If it is not, renew as soon as possible. Processing times vary by country, but they can take anywhere from six to twelve weeks.
Okay! So, to study in Canada, you need to obtain a Canadian study permit. The application fee for a study permit is CAD 150. To apply for a study permit, you need to present the below-mentioned documents which you may have received:
You can apply through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that offers online and paper applications.
To obtain a permit to study in Canada, you must prove that you can adequately support yourself, including your tuition and living expenses. This proof is the proof of financial support. All foreign students must showcase finances for at least a minimum of CAD 10,000 per year (CAD 833 per month); additional finances in case they are bringing family members with them.
The following documents can also be your proof of financial support to study in Canada:
Know more about the Cost of Studying in Canada.
To study in Canada, health insurance is a must for all international students as they are not covered by the Canadian government’s health insurance programme. Depending on where exactly you will live, you might be able to obtain private or provincial health insurance. Provincial health insurance covers the basics but excludes dental care, eye care and a few more specific health issues. Private insurance offers more tailored insurance options to meet your specific long-term needs.
As an international student, you have a lot of choices when it comes to housing. The obvious option is to stay on campus because it provides the most convenient access to the university and its facilities. If you are on a tight budget, homestays will provide a similar experience while keeping your costs down.
Before you leave your home country to study in Canada, please request a copy of your medical history and immunisation records from your doctor. Any chronic medical issues or medications should be mentioned in it so that you can purchase medicine and continue to treat them once you arrive in Canada to study. Finally, please make sure you have enough medicines on hand in case of an emergency.
As you know, Canada has an extremely cold climate. You will need to carry warm clothes before arriving in Canada as the temperatures may overwhelm you. From September to early December, the weather is likely to be a combination of sunny days and rain. The temperature will drop to an average of -6°C during the onset of winter. You will also see snow after December.
If you are planning to arrive before October, then winter necessities such as a coat, hat, gloves, and warm socks can be purchased once you reach there. In Canada, the winter weather comes as early as October. Here is a quick list of items you will need to keep handy during the Canadian winter:
Check out the Upcoming Intakes to Study in Canada.
You will need a laptop and a mobile to study in Canada and keep in touch with your friends and family. If you are purchasing electronic stuff from your home country, then please make sure it is compatible with Canadian outlets and voltages. If not sure, you could buy a few adapters to charge your devices. Additionally, you will also require a local SIM card and data plan that will save you from roaming charges.
In the event of an accident or emergency, your university can request that you maintain a list of emergency contacts and their phone numbers. Choose one or two relatives or close friends from your home country to serve as your emergency contacts. If you have close relatives or friends in Canada, you might also want to include them as emergency contacts.
If you have checked off these ten things on your checklist, you will be ready to study in Canada as an international student. Choosing to study abroad is a life-changing decision, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Canada is an excellent choice for foreign students for a variety of reasons. There is so much to see, do, and learn in world-class Canadian colleges/universities, the internationally renowned tech industry, stunning natural sites and diverse cultural experiences.
Canada is undoubtedly the hot spot destination for pursuing higher education. Canada has multiple reasons to be counted among the most favorable study abroad destinations. Not only it offers a wide variety of course options for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, but also provides innumerable research opportunities.
Here is a list of some of the top Canadian universities according to the yearly statistics by QS World University Rankings:
Related Blog: Top Universities in Canada.
You can get by without learning French in Canada since it has both English and French-speaking provinces. However, some Canadians speak French as their first language. You may choose to focus on studying or developing one or the other.
It will be best to book your flights to Canada four weeks in advance of your departure date.
Here are some tips on travel essentials to pack in your carry-on bags.
You can work up to 20 hours a week. You are entitled to work more than 20 hours during planned breaks, such as summer or winter vacation and spring break.
If you are planning to study abroad and searching to match your profile with the best-suited university, Experts at Manya – The Princeton Review have gathered important information of top Universities from abroad. Surely, this information will help you narrow down your quest for universities.
You can access accurate & authentic information related to rankings, application fees, average tuition fees, cost of living, scholarships, latest updates, and much more from more than 1000+ universities. You may also search for universities by name, country, or courses in common specializations, such as Physics, Finance, Business, Language and Culture, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Computer and IT, Media and Communication Marketing.
Manya – The Princeton Review offers end-to-end study abroad services encompassing admissions consulting services, test preparation, English language training, career assessment, and international internship opportunities to study abroad aspirants.
For more information, call our Study Abroad Helpline 1800 102 4646.
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