Top 5 Things New International Students in Canada Need to Know in 2026

Just yesterday, I was taking a stroll through the campus of my alma mater, McGill University in downtown Montreal, where the new school year is getting underway. The campus was packed with first-year students—smiling, laughing, wearing cut-up frosh shirts—undulating in those buzzing throngs of youthful excitement that can only surface during the first week of adult freedom in a brand-new city.

Of course, it made me a little nostalgic for my own university days… and deeply grateful that I’m no longer beholden to the campus meal plan, a plan I used to eat a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal at every meal. It also got me thinking about the advice I would give to an international student starting their studies in Canada today.

In Canada’s current immigration climate, it’s more important than ever for international students to plan ahead for their study goals and their immigration objectives. Working while studying, getting a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after you graduate, and immigrating to Canada permanently are all things that require knowledge of the rules and processes.

Plus, there’s the added stress of finding a sense of community, belonging, and stability, in a new city and a new era of your life.

There is a lot to know, and nearly everything on this list could warrant an article of its own. But if you’ve just arrived in Canada, here are the top 5 things I think you should know.

1. You May Be Able to Work While You Study in Canada

One major advantage of studying in Canada is that many international students are allowed to work while completing their studies.

But – don’t assume you’re automatically allowed to work. Your eligibility depends on your circumstances and the conditions listed on your study permit, so check your permit before accepting a job.

Most eligible full-time students at post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) can work on campus without a separate work permit, and there is currently no limit on the number of hours eligible students can work on campus.

Eligible students can generally also work off campus for up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions. During scheduled breaks established by your school, such as summer or winter holidays, eligible students can work unlimited hours off campus.

Some study programs also include a mandatory co-op term. Previously, international students required a co-op work permit, but this is no longer required for student work placements.

You can read our full guide to working while studying in Canada for more information.

And before you start working, you’ll need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Your SIN is the nine-digit number used to work legally in Canada, get paid and access certain government programs. You can learn how to apply in our guide to getting a SIN in Canada.

2. If You Want to Stay After Graduation, Make Sure You’re Eligible for a PGWP

If you want to work in Canada after graduating, you should understand the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) rules well before you reach your final semester.

PGWP eligibility has become considerably more restrictive in recent years, with new language and field-of-study requirements introduced for many graduates.

Generally, you’ll need to make sure that:

• You remain enrolled at a PGWP-eligible DLI in an eligible program.
• Your program is at least eight months long (or 900 hours for certain Quebec programs).
• You maintain full-time student status during each semester of your program (though, you can generally study part-time during your final semester, as long as you were full-time during all prior semesters).
• You apply for your PGWP within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you’ve completed your program. Your study permit must have been valid at some point during these 180 days.
• You prove your language proficiency in English or French with an official language test result. This is required for graduates of all programs (except flight schools), so even if you’re an English-speaking Brit who did a degree in English literature – you still need to take a test. Graduates of university programs generally need English or French proficiency equivalent to CLB/NCLC 7, while graduates of college, polytechnic and other non-university programs generally need CLB/NCLC 5.
• You must not complete more than 50% of your studies virtually or long-distance.

In some cases, only certain fields of study are eligible for PGWP. The general rule is that if you completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees there is no field of study requirement.

However, students in other university programs, college programs, polytechnic programs, and other non-university programs must graduate from an eligible field of study. IRCC maintains a list of PGWP-eligible fields of study here.

3. If You Want to Immigrate Permanently, Start Planning Early

A Canadian education can be valuable if you eventually want to become a permanent resident, but graduating from a Canadian school does not guarantee that you’ll be able to stay permanently.

Canada’s economic immigration programs have become increasingly targeted in recent years, and provincial programs can change significantly while you’re completing a multi-year degree or diploma.

Ontario offers a good recent example. In 2026, the province redesigned the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and closed several existing streams, including its dedicated International Student, Master’s Graduate, and PhD Graduate streams.

Express Entry remains one of the most popular pathways to permanent residence for recent graduates. The Canadian Experience Class, for example, is designed for applicants who gain skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in Canada. One common mistake international graduates make after they get their PGWP is wasting precious time working low-skill jobs. Instead, start networking and look for suitable roles before you graduate, because every extra year of relevant work experience will make your profile more competitive for PR.

Another important detail for students is that work experience gained while you’re a full-time student generally does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class’s minimum work experience requirement.

Pro-tip: If you want to immigrate permanently, take some French classes during your studies

Canada remains committed to welcoming French speakers. In 2026 so far, more Express Entry invitations have gone to French speakers than to any other category or program. And – French-speaking targets are set to increase in the coming years — at least until 2029.

So, if you want to immigrate to Canada permanently, consider taking some French classes during your studies. Maybe even a minor in French? This could go a long way to preparing you for permanent residence after you graduate.

If permanent immigration is one of your goals, don’t wait until graduation to start researching your options. Think about the type of work experience you’ll need after school, understand how your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score could look, and research provincial immigration options.

If you’re unsure where to start, I recommend booking a consultation with our very own immigration consultant, Rebecca Major. She’ll review your profile and help you build a long-term plan for your immigration success!

4. You Can Take an Authorized Leave, But There Are Rules

University and college don’t always go according to plan. You might need to temporarily step away from your studies because of an illness, pregnancy, a family emergency or another unexpected situation.

International students are allowed to take an authorized leave of up to 150 days and continue to be considered as actively pursuing their studies, but your leave must be authorized by your DLI.

Another thing to keep in mind—you cannot work in Canada while on authorized leave from your school.

Want to learn more about taking authorized leave? Check out our recent article on international student compliance and authorized leave rules.

5. It’s Okay If the Transition Is a Little Hard Sometimes

For many people, college or university ends up being one of the best periods of their lives. Hopefully this will be you, too!

But – starting school can also be overwhelming. Add in moving to another country… being away from your family and support network… adapting to a new culture… and potentially communicating in a second or third language, and that’s a lot of change happening at once!

Be gentle on yourself and give yourself some time to settle in. It’s okay to have some bad days.

Building a community can make a huge difference. Talk to people in your classes, join a student club, find an intramural sports team, volunteer, become one of those absolutely insufferable people who gets really into university musical theatre (okay fine… yes, that was me). Your school likely also has an international student office that can help you navigate everything from immigration questions to finding your way around campus.

And if you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most Canadian colleges and universities offer health supports for students. There’s nothing weird of shameful about needing some extra support while adjusting to a completely new environment. I saw a psychologist during one of my most stressful university years and I am so thankful I had that outlet.

Give yourself the opportunity to find your people, learn how things work, grab this university experience by the horns, and have a great time in Canada!