International Students

Foreign students must meet certain immigration requirements to obtain a Student Authorization to study in Canada. The Authorization is generally given for a specific Canadian educational institution and in a specific program, and always for a limited time.

The Applicant must:

present an acceptance letter from the educational institution they wish to attend;

provide evidence of enough money to pay for tuition and living costs;

satisfy a visa officer that they will return home at the end of their studies;

pass a medical examination if required;

meet other requirements for visitors, including a visa if necessary.

At the post-secondary level foreign student fees and other requirements vary depending on the institution. Individual institutions can provide details of fees, academic requirements and programs of study, as well as information on cost of living and health insurance. Students should ensure that the institution being considered is acceptable for purposes of a student authorization.

Foreign students may work only under certain circumstances, for instance:

the work is part of the program of study;

the employment is on-campus;

the work, up to one year after graduation, is in a field related to the studies;

their source of funding is cut off through no fault of their own.

In addition, spouses of international students are eligible to work temporarily in Canada.

Student Authorizations Are Not Required if the student:

intends to take a French or English language training course that is no more than three months in duration; or

is the spouse or dependent child of: a diplomatic or consular officer; a representative of a foreign country; or a representative of the United Nations or any other intergovernmental organization of which Canada is a member.

English As Second Language Courses (ESL)