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Canada

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At a glance

Living index rating
Expensive
Monthly rent
CA$800 – CA$1,500 shared (Toronto, Vancouver CA$1,400 – CA$1,900)
Monthly food
CA$300 – CA$450
Other monthly expenses
CA$250 – CA$500 (transport, phone, utilities, personal)
Visa processing time
About 2 – 5 months, depending on country
Family allowed for students
Limited

Visa requirements

  • Study permit, with an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
  • Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL); from 2026, master's and PhD students at public institutions are exempt
  • Proof of funds: tuition plus at least CA$22,895 a year for living costs (CA$24,617 in Quebec), more with family
  • Quebec also requires a CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate)
  • Biometrics, and a medical exam for some nationalities
  • National caps on the number of study permits issued each year
  • Off-campus work limited to 24 hours a week during term

Work permit after studies

  • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): an open work permit, the same length as your programme, up to 3 years
  • Programs of 2 years or more, and most master's degrees, get a 3-year PGWP
  • Language requirement: CLB 7 for university graduates, CLB 5 for college graduates
  • College (non-degree) graduates must study in a field linked to long-term labour shortages; university degree graduates are exempt

Citizenship route

  • Permanent residence, usually through Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class after 1 year of skilled work in Canada, or a Provincial Nominee Program
  • Citizenship after 1,095 days (3 years) of physical presence in Canada within 5 years, with half-days counted for time before PR
  • Citizenship test and English or French language requirement for ages 18 – 54

Family details

  • Spouse/partner and children can come with you, but you must show extra funds for them
  • Spouses can only get an open work permit if you're studying a master's or PhD (of 16 months or more) or certain professional degrees; spouses of college and undergraduate students generally can't
  • Dependent children can attend school
  • Spousal open work permits can take several months to process

Universities in Canada

Top-ranked

All other universities and colleges (220), A–Z

This guide is for general information. Visa and immigration rules change often, so always check the official government website before you apply. Last updated 6 October 2026.