Canada
Canada hosts 785,830 study permit holders as of July 2025, following significant policy adjustments aimed at sustainable immigration levels after reaching peak enrollment of 1,023,785 in January 2024, representing a 23% strategic reduction aligned with government targets. The country's 96 universities, 127 colleges, and over 1,300 designated learning institutions offer world-class education across 10 provinces and 3 territories, though 2025 has seen transformative reforms including annual study permit caps of 408,000 for 2026 (155,000 new arrivals, 253,000 extensions) down from 437,000 in 2025. International education contributed CAD $22 billion to the economy in 2023, with 60% of graduates historically pursuing permanent residency through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs. Students benefit from up to 3 years Post-Graduation Work Permits for programs 2+ years, with all institutions requiring designation by provincial governments meeting Standards for Educational Quality Assurance, degrees recognized globally through Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada membership.
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Key insights
785,830
International Students
60%
Employment Rate
Up to 3 year
Post Study Work Rights
20 hours
Part Time Work
CAD $50-65K
Hourly Wage For Student Level Jobs
N/A
Institutions Are Regulated Under National Education Quality Frameworks (TEQSA & ASQA)
Cost of Studying in Canada
Bachelor's Degree
$29,000 - $35,000
Bachelor's (Engineering/Medicine)
$35,000 - $55,000
Master's (Research)
$17,000 - $25,000
Master's (Professional/Coursework)
$30,000 - $50,000
MBA Programs
$40,000 - $100,000 (total 1-2 year program)
Doctorate/PhD
$8,000 - $20,000 (often funded with stipends $15,000-$35,000/year)
College Diploma (2 years)
$15,000 - $22,000
Cost of Living in Canada
Admission Requirements for Studying in Canada
- Official transcripts from all previously attended educational institutions with certified English/French translations
- Secondary school diploma or post-secondary degree certificates meeting Canadian equivalency standards
- Minimum GPA: 3.0/4.0 (75% or B average) for undergraduate, 3.3/4.0 (B+ or 80%) for graduate programs
- Standardized tests where required by program (SAT, GRE, GMAT) - varies by institution and program
- English or French language proficiency test results meeting institutional requirements
- Statement of Purpose (typically 500-1000 words) outlining academic goals, career plans, reasons for choosing Canada, program, and institution
- Two to three letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees familiar with applicant's work and capabilities
- Resume/CV detailing academic achievements, work experience, research, volunteering, leadership, awards
- Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity beyond intended study period
- Proof of financial capacity: Bank statements showing CAD $22,895 + first year tuition (September 1, 2025 onwards)
- Portfolio for creative programs (Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, Music, Film)
- Interview for select competitive programs (Medicine, MBA, Law, some Master's programs)
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) for undergraduate/college programs (Master's/PhD at public institutions exempt January 2026)
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Book A FREE ConsultationLanguage Requirements
| English Language Test | Required Score |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor's: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) Master's: 6.5-7.0 overall (no band below 6.0-6.5) Professional Programs: 7.0+ overall |
|
Bachelor's: 86-90 overall (minimum 20-22 each section) Master's: 90-100 overall (minimum 20-24 each section) Professional Programs: 100+ overall |
|
Bachelor's: 60 overall (minimum 60 each communicative skill) Master's: 60-65 overall Professional Programs: 70+ overall |
|
Bachelor's: 115-120 Master's: 120-130 Professional Programs: 130+ |
|
Bachelor's: 60 overall (no band below 50) Master's: 70 overall (no band below 60) Professional Programs: 80+ |
Visa Requirements
Canada Study Visa requirements:
Visa Validity: Study permit granted for program duration plus 90 days. Extensions must be applied 30 days before expiry (applications under cap for extensions).
Work Rights:
- During Studies: 20 hours/week off-campus during academic sessions, full-time during scheduled breaks (December-January, May-August typically)
- On-Campus: Unlimited hours at university/college campus where enrolled
- Post-Study: 8 months to 3 years Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) based on program length and field (new restrictions 2025)
Document Checklist:
- Valid passport with 6 months validity beyond intended study period
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) from province/territory (mandatory January 2024 for most programs; Master's/PhD at public DLIs exempt starting January 2026)
- Letter of Acceptance from Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with DLI number verification
- Proof of identity documents (birth certificate, national ID card)
- Immigration Medical Examination (IME) from panel physician if program 6+ months
- Police certificates (certified criminal record checks) from all countries lived 6+ consecutive months since age 18
- Two recent passport-sized photographs (35mm x 45mm, white background)
- Study permit application form (IMM 1294) completed online
- Family information form (IMM 5645 for non-EEA or IMM 5707 for EEA countries)
- Proof of financial support: Bank statements showing CAD $22,895 + first year tuition (September 1, 2025 requirement; was $20,635 January-August 2025)
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD $22,895 recommended (from Scotiabank, CIBC, RBC, ICICI, SBI Canada)
- Letter explaining study plans, ties to home country, intention to return after studies
- Academic transcripts and certificates from previous studies with certified translations
- English/French language test results meeting program requirements
- Provincial health insurance enrollment or proof of private health insurance coverage
Critical 2024-2025 Policy Changes:
- Financial requirement increased: CAD $10,000 to $20,635 (Jan 1, 2024), then to $22,895 (Sept 1, 2025)
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) mandatory: All study permits except Master's/PhD at public DLIs (starting Jan 2026)
- Letter of Acceptance verification system: Prevents fraud, mandatory authentication
- Study permit caps: 437,000 for 2025, reduced to 408,000 for 2026 (155,000 new arrivals, 253,000 extensions)
- Approval rates declined: 30% in 2025 (down from 47% in 2024, 51% historically)
- Spouse open work permit restricted: Only for spouses of Master's/Doctoral/Professional degree program students at public DLIs
- Processing prioritization: Applications from students in high-demand fields, complete applications only
Intakes in Canada
|
Intake |
Application Timeline |
|
Fall (September) - Main Intake 70% of admissions |
September previous year - January current year |
|
Winter (January) - Secondary Intake 20% of admissions |
May - September previous year |
|
Summer (May) - Limited Intake 10% of admissions |
December - February |
Post-Study Work Opportunities in Canada
|
Field |
Average Salary (CAD/Year) |
Employment Rate |
|
Software Engineering |
$85,000 - $120,000 |
93% |
|
Data Science & AI |
$80,000 - $115,000 |
91% |
|
Computer Science & IT |
$70,000 - $100,000 |
90% |
|
Engineering (All) |
$75,000 - $105,000 |
89% |
|
Healthcare Professions |
$65,000 - $95,000 |
95% |
|
Business & Finance |
$60,000 - $90,000 |
84% |
Scholarships in Canada
|
Scholarship Name |
Administered By |
Eligibility |
Benefits |
|
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships |
Government of Canada (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) |
Doctoral students nominated by Canadian institutions, leadership/research excellence |
$50,000/year for 3 years |
|
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) |
Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, Universities |
Master's and PhD students at Ontario universities with excellent academic achievement |
$15,000/year for 2-3 terms |
|
Quebec Merit Scholarship (PBEEE) |
Fonds de recherche du Québec |
International Master's/PhD students studying in Quebec |
$25,000/year Master's, $35,000/year PhD for program duration |
|
University of Toronto International Scholar Award |
University of Toronto |
Outstanding international undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need |
$7,500 to full tuition + living costs (varies) |
|
UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award |
University of British Columbia |
Exceptional international undergraduate students demonstrating superior academic achievement and leadership |
Full tuition, books, incidental fees, residence support (full financial need coverage) |
|
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship |
University of Toronto |
International students with exceptional academic achievement and creativity, leadership recognized by school |
Full tuition, books, incidental fees, residence for 4 years (renewable) |
|
Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award |
University of British Columbia |
International undergraduate students in second year or higher with financial need |
$5,000 one-time award |
|
University Entrance Scholarships |
Various Canadian Universities |
High-achieving first-year international students with excellent grades (typically 85%+ average) |
$1,000 - $35,000 per year (renewable based on GPA maintenance) |
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