Canada has more than 500,000 international students currently enrolled in study programs across the country. Not only can people who choose to study in Canada benefit from a world-class education — students and graduates are also set on a path that may lead to incredible career opportunities and permanent settlement in Canada.
The study pathway to settlement in Canada can be summed up in three words:
Learn. Earn. Stay.
Let’s find out how it all works.
Learn
Many international students are choosing to study in Canada over other potential destinations — such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and France — because Canada offers certain advantages that may not be available elsewhere.
- International students in Canada can work for up to 20 hours per week during semester, and on a full-time basis during school breaks.
- The tuition fees to study in Canada, even for international students, are usually lower than in other countries.
- The spouse or common-law partner of an international student may accompany the student in Canada. Not only that, spouses and partners may obtain an open work permit, allowing them to work any hours they wish and for any employer.
- International students in Canada can bring their children to Canada, and the kids can attend one of Canada’s public elementary or secondary schools without needing their own study permit.
- Canada’s largest cities are ranked among the best student cities by the QS World University Rankings, with Montreal ranked the best student city in the world and Vancouver and Toronto not far behind.
- Graduates can work in Canada for up to three years on an open post-graduation work permit (see below under ‘Earn’).
- Rather than closing the door on graduates who complete their studies in Canada or making things incredibly difficult, as some countries may do, Canada actively sets out to provide permanent residence pathways to students and graduates (see below under ‘Stay’).
- Canada’s liberal citizenship naturalization process allows international students to count time spent on a study permit towards citizenship residency days requirements.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? But remember, this is a two-way street. Prospective students need to follow a few steps before they too may benefit.
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