Studying in Canada

About 130,000 foreign students are enrolled in Canada every year to pursue academic, vocational and professional training, in addition to many more short-term French and English language students. Canada encourages qualified foreign students. Most foreign students must have a study permit. You do not need a study permit if your course of study will be six months or less. Citizens and permanent residents of the U.S., St.-Pierre-et-Miquelon, and Greenland can apply at a port of entry. Everyone else has to apply to a consulate. There are some exceptions. For instance, if you already have a work permit, or your spouse or parent holds a work permit, or you want to extend an existing study permit, you can apply from within Canada.

Unlike the United States, you may not attend a university just because you have a work permit. You must obtain a study permit. However, children whose parents have a work permit in Canada can attend school without a work permit.

You must have the following to get a study permit:

• A letter of acceptance from the school you will be attending.
• Proof that you have the financial means to pay tuition and your living expenses. You must have the amount of tuition plus $10,000 per year for living expense.
• Medical clearance if you live in a country considered to have a high rate of infections disease.
• Proof that you will return to your home country after your studies are completed.
• Knowledge of French or English.
• If you are attending school in the Province of Quebec, you must also apply for a Certificat d'Acceptance from Quebec.

Many student visas are denied because the visa officer believes the student will not return to his native country. You will be successful if you emphasize that you are pursuing a course of study that will prepare you for job opportunities in your native country, not just in Canada; and that you have strong social, economic and family ties to your home country.

Students are allowed to work in Canada under several circumstances, including: on campus employment; and one year of post-graduate employment. For post graduate employment, you must have a job offer related to your field of study, and you must apply for a work permit within 90 days of being informed you have satisfied all academic requirements for graduation.

Spouses and common law partners (including same sex partners) of foreign students can obtain work authorization for the entire period of the student authorization. This is a big advantage over the United States, where spouses of F-1 students are not allowed to work.

Since May 16, 2005, students who have studied for at least two years in Canada can apply for two years of post-graduate employment. This is only available to students whose university was not located in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver, and whose employment is not in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver. This is very helpful to students who want to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Under a new policy announced on April 27, 2006, most students can apply for study permits to work off campus after attending school full-time for six months. The permits allow off-campus employment in any job for 20 hours a week during school, and full time when school is not in session.

Click here for more information on studying in Canada.