Studying abroad in Canada: Your essential pre-departure checklist
In 2023, more than one million international students chose to study abroad in Canada, according to data from International Consultants for Education and Fairs (ICEF). That’s a record high! If you’re preparing to pursue your studies in Canada, you have a lot to be excited about – from excellent universities and a booming job market to beautiful natural scenery and a welcoming culture. But there’s also a lot to prepare for! That’s why we created this essential pre-departure checklist for international students heading to Canada.
Read on to make sure you’re on track for your international studies.
Secure your Canadian study permit
While the immigration process to study abroad in Canada is typically simpler than that of the United States, most international students will still be required to have a Canadian study permit to pursue their academic program. The study permit is a document issued to foreign nationals who wish to study at designated learning institutions in Canada. Don’t worry – all primary and secondary schools in Canada are designated learning institutions!
How do you apply for your study permit? You’ll need a specific set of documents to apply, including an acceptance letter from your school. You can learn more about how to apply for your study permit on the Canadian government’s website. Approvals for study permits typically take around three months, so plan accordingly.
For some students, it’s also possible to expedite the process of obtaining your study permit. Students from specific countries may be eligible for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, which speeds up the permit approval process! Initiatives like TD Bank’s* International Student Guaranteed Investment Certificate Program can help ensure you meet the requirements of the SDS program.
Confirm housing arrangements
It might sound like common sense, but make sure to confirm your housing arrangements in Canada before you go abroad. While many schools will offer on-campus housing (included in your tuition payments) it’s not uncommon for international students to live off campus in a house, apartment or homestay. On-campus housing is typically dormitory style, and you’ll be living with a roommate. Off-campus housing may afford you the opportunity to live alone, or with multiple roommates to cut down on your rent payments. Homestays, in which you live with a host family close to your school, also offer an interesting option for students who want to enmesh themselves in the local culture and make connections to real Canadian families while abroad. All these housing options have their own pros and cons, so make sure you pick one that best suits your needs.
Find student loans and scholarships
Student loans and scholarships to study in Canada are great ways to offset the high cost of tuition. If you haven’t already secured funding for your academic program, look into student loans that cater specifically to international students. Our no-collateral student loans at MPOWER Financing, for example, don’t require a cosigner or a credit history.
Scholarships are another great way to fund your education in Canada. There are countless partial and full scholarship options available for international students – but keep in mind that scholarships are usually very competitive. Check out MPOWER’s international student scholarships to see if you qualify for any of ours.
Prepare for travel and other expenses
Of course, to travel to Canada from your home country, you’ll need a plane ticket. Make sure to book your flight ahead of time to ensure you get the best deal. Explore deals on sites like StudentUniverse, which offer exclusive travel discounts for college students.
In addition, prepare for upcoming and unexpected expenses when you arrive in Canada. Things like textbooks, food and even furniture can catch students by surprise and add up. The more you can anticipate these expenses, the better prepared you’ll be when you arrive on campus.
Sign up for a Canadian bank account
Finally, one often overlooked element of studying abroad is banking. You probably already have a bank account in your home country, but it’s a good idea to sign up for one in Canada too. Why? Doing so ensures you’ll be able to make purchases easily in Canada, use ATMs to access your money, and avoid extensive foreign transfer fees. Plus, many banks offer exclusive deals and savings for international students. For example, TD Bank offers an International Student Banking Package with unlimited transactions and no transfer or transaction fees.
Final thoughts: getting ready for Canada
There’s so much to do when preparing to study abroad in Canada! But with a little bit of hard work and advanced planning, you’ll be ready to start your education journey with confidence. With your study permit, housing, funding, travel plans and bank account in place, you can start the most important part of your preparation: getting excited to study in Canada!
*TD is a partner of MPOWER Financing
