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Immigrating to Canada

Immigrating to Canada

Admissions Process: Eligibility

Before You Begin: Preliminary Considerations

The government of Canada has determined that in order to qualify to study in Canada, you must fullfill the following criteria:
  • You must have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada.
  • You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your:
    • tuition fees
    • living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
    • return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.
  • You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
  • You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
  • You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada when you have completed your studies.
Once you are accepted into a school in Canada, you must apply for a temporary resident visa and a study permit. The following conditions exempt you from the study permit requirement:
  • Your program of study lasts 6 months or less,
  • You are a member of a foreign armed forces group, under the Visiting Forces Act, or
  • You are a staff member or a family member of a foreign representative to Canada accredited by  Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada.
Note that although it may not be a requirement, it is a good idea to apply for a study permit to avoid delays between the two study periods, should you wish to lengthen your stay by enrolling in a subsequent education program in Canada.

If you require a temporary resident visa it is not necessary to make a separate application or pay a separate fee; an officer will issue it at the same time as the documentation necessary for your entry to Canada as a student.

A Side Note on International Studies vs. Immigration

An important factor to consider if you are planning to become an international student is that Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) needs to see a progression in your course of study through the program for which you are applying. That is to say, you will not be successful in obtaining a student visa if you are amid a career change and hoping to start anew in Canada. In that case, you would be better served by applying for permanent residence (what was once called landed immigrant status) instead. If you think this is the case, visit the Immigrating to Canada Community for more information.
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