Study Guide to Canada for Indian Students: Admissions, Eligibility, Costs, Jobs

Lakhs of international students choose to study in Canada every year. A large portion of these students are Indian. With a strong economy, world-class universities, and abundant job opportunities, Canada is one of the most sought-after study destinations in the world. Recently, the federal government of Canada has announced some new orders directly related to international students coming to Canada for higher studies in 2024.

Study Guide to Canada for International Students

Students always have this question in mind about how they can study in Canada. The first step is to apply to a Canadian University. Once you receive admission, you can apply for a study permit for Canada. In addition, students should also know the complete application process for Canada. In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know before moving to Canada. Students have the question in mind - why Canada for study? We will cover every aspect from their education system to popular universities in Canada for international students.

Why Study in Canada?

Students need compelling reasons to select a particular country, especially when it comes to deciding between Canada vs India. Here are a few reasons that might convince you to choose Canada as your study-abroad destination:

• Many of Canada’s top universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, etc. are ranked at excellent positions on the QS World University Rankings 2024.
• Canadian education system tends to promote research and job-oriented learning that help students in improving their employability.
• Canada is more affordable as compared to other countries such as the US and the UK in terms of cost of living and cost of studying.
• The postgraduate work permit rules in Canada are relatively more relaxed as compared to those of the USA and the UK.
• Some of the best courses to study in Canada, such as MBA, MS, Data Science, Hospitality Management, etc. are recognized globally.

Education System in Canada

In this section of the article, we will cover the education system in Canada. The school systems in Canada vary depending on the province or territory. Education is available in both English and French in most places, provided there are enough students in that area speaking the secondary language. High school is typical for grades 9 to 12. In Québec, high school ends in grade 11 and is followed by a program that prepares the student for university or a technical field called CEGEP.

Beyond this, students can either attend vocational schools or enter a university. At a university, they will first earn a Bachelor's degree and can continue studies to receive a Master's or a Doctorate degree. Vocational students will earn certificates and diplomas that will help improve their skills in various trades.

Popular Student Destinations in Canada

Universities like McGill University, The University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta, and Simon Fraser University are popular choices if you want to pursue a full-time academic degree. Most of the best colleges in the country are situated in cities like Toronto, British Columbia, and Montreal. At the end of 2021, there were 621,565 international students in Canada. Indian students were the biggest beneficiary of this. The number of Indian students who got study permits in the year 2022 was 2,26,450.

Canada is the preferred destination for vocational studies rather than degree courses as the former seems to provide more employment opportunities. Canada is a good choice for immigration as the country offers immense scope for work owing to its low population density.

The most popular higher study courses in Canada for international students are postgraduate diplomas in areas like Business Management, Media, Engineering, Computer Science, and Hospitality.

Best Universities in Canada include:

• University of Toronto (QS Rank 2024: 21)
• McGill University (QS Rank 2024: 30)
• The University of British Columbia (QS Rank 2024: 34)
• University of Alberta (QS Rank 2024: 111)
• University of Waterloo (QS Rank 2024: 112)

Cheapest Universities in Canada include:

• University of Guelph
• Canadian Mennonite University
• The Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Brandon University
• Université de Saint-Boniface

Safety in Canada

Canada is one of the safest countries, with one of the highest standards of living in the world. Canada is a free country where people are, by and large, judged on their actions and character, rather than their appearance or country of origin.

Weather

Weather in Canada varies widely depending on where you are. Canada stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, covering five time zones.

Montreal Weather - The weather here in winter is cold and snowy. The cold in Montreal can be especially biting because of the wind-chill factor. Snowfall usually begins in November and continues through March. During winter months, the daytime temperatures are between -6°C to -15°C. Summer temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C.

Toronto Weather - The weather here in winter is milder than in most Canadian cities, yet still cold and snowy. Summer temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C. During winter months, the daytime temperatures are between -10°C to 12°C.

Vancouver Weather - It remains wet, yet mild throughout the year. Summer in Vancouver is pleasantly warm with an average temperature of 22°C. Winters are wet, but snow is rare. Average daily temperatures in winter range from 3°C to 7°C.

Lifestyle Tips

Canadians are known to be open-minded and proud of their multicultural and diverse population. Like any other country, Canadians have certain expectations of behaviour. Here are a few tips:

• Be on time for both professional and social occasions
• Be respectful in conversation and behaviour
• Canadians believe in equality between genders, so show respect to the opposite sex
• Don't crack jokes or make comments that are insulting to people's race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or appearance
• Avoid personal questions about things like age, salary, marital status, relationships, and the cost of personal items until you are well-acquainted with people

Language Problems

Living in a society where you have to use English or occasionally French on a daily basis can be challenging at first. Some language problems you may initially encounter when you arrive are:

• You may not understand the local accent right away. Regional accents vary greatly in Canada. Give yourself time to get used to the local accent.
• Canadians might not understand you right away. You will also have your own accent. Speak slowly and don't be shy about asking others to speak slowly if you are having a hard time understanding them.
• Canadians use a lot of slang in their speech and it might take you some time before you understand all of it.
• Humour is an integral part of Canadian English. This should be interpreted as a sign of friendliness, not disrespect.
• Canadians use lots of abbreviations in their speech (for example, TA for Teachers Assistant or Poli Sci for Political Science). If you don't understand something, simply ask the meaning of it.

Participation 

It is necessary to participate in all activities during your university in Canada. You may be asked to participate in class discussions, group work, or other activities. It is very important to participate outside of the classroom as well. This will provide you with many opportunities to practice your English skills in many different settings.

Making Friends 

Try not to be shy. Remember that making friends is important to everyone in their first year of university. Saying "please" and "thank you" are important Canadian customs, and your relationships will improve if you express your gratitude and appreciation to those around you.

Accommodation

Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to live in university-managed accommodation, or with a private landlord. Choosing university-managed accommodation can also give you a catered or self-catered option. Catered accommodation offers the benefits of your meals being cooked for you and a degree of certainty with meal costs.

If you have an idea about what you prefer, the accommodation office at your university will be able to tell you what accommodation they have available - so that’s the place to start. If you are thinking of renting from a private landlord or if your chosen university can’t offer you anything in its own residential facility, the accommodation office should be able to provide you with a list of private properties and landlords in the area.

Wherever you choose to live, you should make sure that you know your contractual rights and responsibilities. In most cases, you will be asked to enter into a tenancy agreement, which you should read thoroughly before you sign it.

Orientation

Orientation week is mandatory for international students so you want to be sure and arrive before it starts. This is the time when you will be introduced to the university and its services, as well as enrol in your classes. It is essential that you read your guidebook, which is provided by the college. The guide explains each part of the admission process.

Activities

Along with sports, colleges offer extra-curricular activities that provide students with a wide range of experiences. Music, drama, science, and literary societies in colleges offer opportunities for outdoor education and other leisure activities. Visits to theatres and concerts, and to places relevant to the courses of study such as art galleries and museums, religious centres or historical sites, scientific companies, and projects are all part of college life.

How to Apply to Canadian Universities from India?

The conditions vary for different study programs and levels. For each course, whether UG or Master's, Indian students will need to meet a minimum English language requirement. The minimum percentage required for studying in Canada is 65% and above for the humanities stream in class XII, and 70 - 80% and above for Science/Commerce stream in class XII. Foundations and Diploma programs are available for students who have secured below 60%. The student should have completed 18 years of age before joining a degree program.

There is a great number of international students who want to go to Canada to pursue master's courses. It is vital for students to know Masters in Canada requirements. Those seeking admission to MS programs in Canada need to know the minimum percentage required for a master's in Canada. There is a huge demand among international students for studying STEM or business-related courses in Canada at the master's level. The minimum GPA requirement for pursuing MS in Canada is 3 on a scale of 4. This is roughly coming out to be 70-75% when looking at it in percentage and 7.0-7.4 in CGPA. You can read about converting percentages to GPA here

It is important to note that these numbers are just for reference purposes, the actual numbers may differ from university to university.

Documents

This section of the article mentioned the requirements to study in Canada for international students. Documents required while applying to Canadian universities include:

• Attested copies of mark sheets of Standard X, XII, and the Bachelor's degree (if applicable)
• At least, two academic reference letters from professors who have taught you most recently
• If you have work experience then two letters of recommendation from the employer/manager who knows you well and can comment on your professional abilities
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume
• Photocopied score reports of GMAT / IELTS / TOEFL
• Portfolio (in case of Students applying for art and design courses & architecture programs)
• Others (certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities)
• Proof of funds (Guaranteed Investment Certificate)
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
• Medical Tests

SOP: A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is your introduction to the college and admission officers. It is always written in the first person and describes the reason for applying to a particular college. It needs to highlight why you are a perfect fit for the college and why the college should accept you. The style of writing could differ from formal to casual, but it is important to remember that it should reflect your personality as well.

Essay: Essays are also required to be submitted by a prospective student. Essays are an important part of the university admissions process. Students may be required to write one or two essays, along with a few optional essays too. Common topics include career aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, skills, experiences, and reasons for considering a particular school.

LOR: A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a reference letter written by a third party describing the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the prospective student to recommend him to the college in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. The third party could be a professor, direct manager, etc.

Also Read: Documents are Required for Diploma Courses in Canada

Timeline

Most Canadian colleges accept online applications. You will have to visit each college's website to apply. In most cases, you will have to make an account on the college website to provide your basic information, submit the scanned version of your documents, and pay application fees. You will be informed about the application process and stages through this account.

Please refer to the website of the colleges of your choice to know the process of applying as it may differ from institute to institute.

Application Fee

All colleges require that you pay an application fee while applying. The fee amount will differ depending on the college and course being applied to, so check with individual colleges about their application fee.

Steps

The common steps to applying for admission are as follows:

• Search for colleges and courses
• Contact schools and visit websites for information
• Narrow down your list of schools
• Take the entrance exams like SAT, GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS
• Write SOPs and ask for LORs
• Apply to the colleges which fit your interests
• Appear for video interviews of the colleges that shortlisted you
• If accepted, apply for a student visa

Also Read: Study in Canada Timeline

 

 

 

Intake in Canada

In this section of the article, we will cover the intakes in Canada. The session starts mainly in September and January but some institutions have intakes in May, July, and October as well. The Major intake season, for the top courses in Canada, is September, while the minor intake season is January, which is meant for a fairly small number of courses. Students usually ask which intake is best for Canada. Generally speaking, the Fall intake or the September intake provides the maximum number of courses and scholarships.

You should start your admission process around six months before the application deadline. Typically, most universities have three deadlines, from October to January. It is up to the convenience of the students, which deadline to aim for. You should be done with your language and aptitude tests by three months before the deadline. The last three months should be dedicated to filling out the application form properly.

It is essential to ensure that the ‘complete application process’ along with appearing for interviews and visa application procedures should be complete by June or July for the September intake.

The main intake season for top colleges and courses is the fall season i.e. September. It depends on what course you are looking to pursue because many courses do not have the January intakes.

If you are looking to get admission into vocational courses, then some courses may have admissions open in January and perhaps even May or July. The points given below provide details of the intakes in Canada:

Intake in Canada	Time	Important Points
Fall Intake	September – December/January	Primary intake Maximum courses Maximum universities More scholarships More competition
Winter Intake	January – May	Secondary intake Relatively lesser courses Less competition
Spring/Summer Intake	May-August	Limited courses Less competition

Also Read: Which Intake Season to Choose: Fall or Spring?

How is the Life of Indian Students in Canada?

Most Indians choose to live in larger urban centres like Toronto, and Vancouver, where more than 70% of Indians live. Smaller communities are also growing in Calgary, Edmonton, and Montreal. Indians in Vancouver are from different parts of India. A place called Little India exists in Vancouver and a section of Gerrard Street (Toronto) in Toronto as well. Indians in Vancouver mainly live in the suburb of Surrey, or nearby Abbotsford, and also in other parts of Vancouver.

Indian students are amongst the largest group of international students who got study permits in 2022. Approximately, more than 2,26,000 Indian students were issued study permits during this period, even more than in China.

Language Exams

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) and Pearson Test of English (PTE) are all standardized language tests, which are required to be taken for the purpose of getting admission into colleges. These follow different formats, structures, and result bands. These tests are all different in various ways but many colleges ask for any one of the results. So it's up to the student to decide which exam to appear for.

Repetition of exams: IELTS can be taken an unlimited number of times. TOEFL can be retaken as many times as desired, but cannot be taken more than once in a 12-day period. The same holds true for PTE; it can be taken as many times as one wishes. You must wait to receive your scores before you can book your next test.

Fee: The standard fee for these exams is INR 16,250 for IELTS, INR 16,036 (US $195) for TOEFL, and INR 15,900 for PTE.

Time to apply: Ideally, if you are aiming for the September intake you should appear for these exams by November (of the previous year) so that you can apply before the 1st deadline. The universities, you will be applying to, will mention which exam results they will accept. However, if they give you a choice to go for either of these, then the choice depends on you. The time required to prepare for IELTS/TOEFL/PTE would depend on the existing English language proficiency. You may require 2 to 4 months of preparation before the exam date.

General Exams

GMAT - The Graduate Management Aptitude Test is used to measure the abilities of the potential MBA aspirant to undertake higher education in the field of business or management. It measures the mathematical, English, and reasoning skills of the student.

GRE - The Graduate Record Examination is another test required to be taken by students applying to graduate schools to pursue an MA or MS. Increasingly, many business schools are also accepting GRE scores for the purpose of granting admission for an MBA.

LSAT - The Law School Admission Test is a standardized test and is an integral part of the law school admission process. It provides a measure of reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use in assessing applicants.

SAT - The Scholastic Assessment Test measures literacy and writing skills that are needed for academic success in college. This test assesses how well the test takers analyze and solve problems-skills they learned in school that they will need in college. SAT is typically taken by high school students to get into undergraduate courses.

The university you will be applying to will mention which exam results will be applicable to the course of your choice. But if they give you a choice to go for either of these, then the choice depends on you.

Repetition and Fee: You can give GMAT an unlimited number of times, subject to five times a year, and a gap of 16 calendar days between two tests. You can take these tests with a gap of 30 days from the first time. The cost of the GMAT is INR 22,750 (US $275), GRE is INR 18,850 (US $228) and SAT is INR 8,600 ($104) approximately. Ideally, if you are aiming at the September intake you should appear for these exams by November (of the previous year) so that you can apply before the 1st deadline. The preparatory duration generally ranges from 4 to 6 months.

Average Scores: The average GMAT score accepted across universities is 540. The average GRE score is 151 for Verbal, 146 for Quantitative, and 3.5 for Writing. The average LSAT score accepted across universities is 162.

It is important to note that these numbers are just for reference purposes, the actual scores may differ from university to university.

Also Read: Exams required to pursue vocational courses in Canada

Cost of Living in Canada for International Students

The cost of living in Canada depends heavily on what part of Canada will you be living in along with how much you will socialize. Some of the basic elements for living as an international student in Canada are:

• Accommodation rent ( on campus or off campus )
• Groceries and food
• Utilities like electricity, water, gas, internet
• Phone bills
• Text and reference books
• Airfare for travelling back to India

Other elements which may differ from person to person would be:

• Dining out
• Travel and Vacation
• Car rental and Car insurance
• Cable TV connection

Living Expenses

On average, a student spends approximately Rs 7.1 Lakh per year. But the expenses also depend on the place where a student stays. If a student stays in a metropolitan city like Toronto or Vancouver the expenses could go up to CAD 15,000 in comparison to a student studying in the suburbs where the expenses would be around CAD 8,000 - 10,000 each year.

Note: The average living expense is based on 51 colleges in Canada (Source: studyabroad.shiksha.com)

Health Insurance

Insurance Policy for international students is mandatory, as students have to stay abroad for a long period of time. Before getting an insurance policy make sure that it covers medical expenses, personal accidents, dental treatment, study interruption, passport loss, etc. Insurance is basically cashless so a student does not need to pay money at the time of hospitalization. All international students are required to have basic health insurance and/ or extended health insurance. Your university will provide you with all the details of the health insurance.

Related Read: Cost of Living Toronto

Cost of Studying in Canada

The tuition fee varies according to different universities, courses, and the city. The average tuition expense in Canada might be Rs 21.91 Lakh per year for an undergraduate course. And if you are thinking of applying to a postgraduate course, the average cost (tuition fees) would be Rs 11.28 lakh per year approximately.

Note: The average 1st-year tuition fees are based on 522 BE/Btech courses in Canada (Source: studyabroad.shiksha.com)

Note: The average 1st-year tuition fees are based on 587 MS courses in Canada (Source: studyabroad.shiksha.com)

Scholarships in Canada

Canada Scholarships for Indian Students: Merit and need-based fee waivers are awarded to international students. Candidates with strong academics, good performance in standardized exams, and extracurricular achievements would be eligible for scholarship awards and financial assistance. To benefit from these opportunities, one has to make sure to send all the required documents by particular deadlines. In addition to this, the presentation of the application is also important because one is judged by the image one projects.

Documents required: The documents usually needed for a scholarship application are as follows:

• Academic records and photocopies
• A recent CV
• A letter of intent, which acts as a cover page
• Certificate of language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS scores)
• Letters of Reference (LOR)

Education Loans to Study in Canada

Student Loan eligibility criteria: The first thing is to be aware of whether you are eligible to apply for a loan in Canada or not. The general eligibility criteria that are followed by all the banks are:

• You should be an Indian national
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must be seeking admission to a professional, technical, or another course of study. Most banks maintain that the selected course should be job-oriented.
• You must have secured admission to foreign University Institutions.
• You must be above the age of 18 years or else your parents can avail the loan on your behalf.

Eligibility of course: You may not get a loan on every course. Here are the kinds of courses that qualify for the education loan:

• For Graduation: Job-oriented professional or technical courses offered by reputed universities
• For Post Graduation: MCA in Canada, MBA in Canada, MS in Canada, or even diplomas in Canada
• These courses could be from foreign universities or institutes approved by the state and central government.

Loan amount: If your total fee is Rs 10 lakh, the bank may offer to give a student loan of 80% of the amount and you will have to put in the balance of 20%. This is called the margin amount. Generally, a maximum of INR 20 Lakhs can be availed at a nominal interest rate. Students can avail loans for a higher amount as well, however, they need to pay an additional processing fee for availing a loan amount higher than INR 20 Lakhs. Also, if the loan amount is more than INR 7.5 Lakhs, then borrowers need to furnish collateral as security.

If your tuition fee amount is Rs 30 lakh, you’ll have to manage the rest of the funds by yourself. Some banks charge a processing fee, while others don’t. it may be a fixed amount or a percentage of the total education loan amount. So if the bank charges you 1% as a processing fee, that will be an additional cost you’ll have to cover.

Documentation required: You will have to provide the acceptance letter sent by the University reflecting that you have been selected for the course and the schedule of fees. You will also need to show the mark sheet of the last qualifying examination to show your academic record.

All banks have different requirements for documentation, so you need to confirm with the bank first.

Repayment: Repayment starts only after the course period. If the student got employed within one year after completion of the course, the repayment should start immediately after the expiry of one month from the date of employment.

If you do not secure a job within a year of completing the course, then repayment starts irrespective of whether or not you are employed. The loan is generally to be repaid in 5-7 years after the commencement of repayment. If the student is not able to complete the course within the scheduled time, an extension of time for completion, of course, may be permitted for a maximum period of two years. Generally, you will get up to a maximum number of 10 years to repay the loan.

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What are the Visa Types in Canada?

• Temporary Visas
• Student Visas
• Super Visas for Parents and Grandparents
• Visitor Visa
• Work Permits
• Business Class Immigration
• Federal Skilled Worker Visa
• Canadian Experience Class Visa
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Provincial Nomination Programs
• Quebec -Selected Skilled Workers Program
• Family-Sponsorship Program
• Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)

What are the Requirements for Getting a Student Visa for Canada?

In this section of the article, we will look at the visa for students in Canada. You should apply for a Canada student visa after you get the college acceptance letter. You should begin with the visa process around June if aiming at the September intake. Following are the documents needed to apply for visa for students in Canada:

1. Proof of acceptance: If you plan to attend any school (primary or secondary), college, university, or other educational institution in Canada, the school must complete and send you a letter of acceptance. You must include the original letter with your study permit application.
2. Proof of identity: This includes documents such as a valid passport, etc.
3. Proof of financial support: In order to apply for a visa for students in Canada, you must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who accompany you while you are in Canada.

Persons	Funds Required per Year (Outside Quebec)
Primary Application (student)	CAD 10,000
First Family Member	CAD 4,000
Every Additional Family Member	CAD 3,000

Note: Additional documentation may be required.

In the case of Quebec, the following table provides the minimum funds required at the time of study in Canada:

Persons	Fund Required per Year (Quebec)
1 person (less than 18 years)	CAD 6,569
1 person (18 years or more)	CAD 13,134
2 people (18 years or more)	CAD 19,264
2 people (18 years or more) 1 person (less than 18 years)	CAD 21,579
2 people (18 years or more) 2 people (less than 18 years)	CAD 23,290

During the personal interview, additional documents may be requested by the interviewer. These may be documents to prove evidence of academic or financial status. These may include:

• Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
• Scores from tests, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
• Your intent to depart from Canada upon completion of the course of study
• How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs

How to Get a Canada Student Visa

There are several steps to applying for a Canada student visa.

Check the processing times: Canada student visa processing time is 7 weeks. Moreover, Canada student visa processing depends on multiple factors such as the type of visa application, completion of the application, time taken by the immigration authorities, ease of verifying your details, time taken by a student to respond to the queries of the immigration authorities, and various other factors.

Determine how you will apply: There are two ways to apply for a visa for students in Canada:

• Apply online: To apply online you must have access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents for uploading and have a valid credit card for payment. From 31st December 2021, students from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas will be required to provide a finger scan at the regional Visa Application Centre (VAC).
• Apply in person: Download the application kit and read the instruction guide. The instruction guide contains important information about study permits and instructions to help you complete your application. Read the guide carefully and use the document checklist.

Pay the processing fee: Refer to the fee schedule for the cost to apply for a study permit and how to pay. The processing fee is non-refundable in all cases. For biometrics, there will be more than 130 VACs in over 90 countries and all VACs will be equipped to collect biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). Indian students need to contact the local VFS office to apply for a visa. The cost of a study permit (including extensions) is CAD 150, and if you wish to restore your student status, you need to pay CAD 350 (CAD 200 for the restoration of your status and CAD 150 for a new study permit).

If your spouse/common-law partner and/or children are accompanying you and you are applying for temporary resident visas, work permits or study permits for them, then you will need to pay the appropriate processing fees for them.

Submit your application and supporting documents - Since you need to give your biometrics, you can’t mail in your application. You will either have to apply online or submit your application in person at a VFS office. In either case, you will need to go to a VAC to give your biometrics.

Medical Exam

The visa application process to Canada requires a compulsory medical test for Indian applicants. Your own doctor cannot perform the medical exam. You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians, which is provided on the official Canada immigration website http://www.cic.gc.ca/. Once your medical examination has been completed, the physician will send the results to CIC. You can choose to get the test done either before or after submitting the visa application.

Visa for Spouse

Spouses can accompany full-time students on a Dependent visa. You only need to show that adequate funds are available for their support. Spouses can also work full-time if his/her stay is for a year or more.

Pre-departure List

Get your documents in order and make photocopies to store in your baggage and at home. Below we have given the list of airport essentials for students going to Canada.

• Passport
• Airline tickets
• Travel insurance and health insurance certificates
• Letter of Acceptance by the educational institution
• Key addresses and phone numbers
• A bank statement showing proof of funds
• Accommodation proof in Canada
• Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
• Traveller’s cheques – if applicable
• Medical and immunization records
• Academic history and university transcripts - make sure to clear all the paper-work with your previous institution

Homesickness

Homesickness is a predictable problem faced by most students at one point or another. It may occur at the beginning or even well into your first year. Homesickness will pass; be patient. If you are feeling sad, talk about it and share your feelings with your friends. Do not hide in your room; if you do, the homesickness will only worsen. Find your counsellor on staff with whom you can talk about homesickness or other problems.

Homesickness might get worse by frequent and long telephone calls home. Most homesick students feel more homesick after a call from home than they did before they picked up the phone. Try to limit yourself to one call home every week. The sooner you integrate into the university experience, the sooner your homesickness will pass.

Your first few weeks in Canada

The first weeks of the first semester are a busy time for every new international (and Canadian) student during which everyone is learning about the campus and classes while making new friends. You should take the time to get to know your University:

• Explore campus to familiarize yourself with where you need to go when registering for your program, attending classes, getting your meals, and visiting new friends.
• Join the International Student Club.
• Find out what learning resources and workshops are available for international students.
• Get your student identification card: it will be your passport around the campus. (if applicable)
• Take advantage of the student services on offer: use the fitness facilities at the recreation centre, find the student bookstore, and browse in the library.

Learn Basic Cooking

Cooking for yourself will save you money. Indian food is expensive in Canada. Making it on your own will satisfy your urge to eat ‘your food’ during moments of 'homesickness'.

You must note that your study permit is valid for the length of your study, plus an extra 90 days. In these 90 days, you have to prepare to leave Canada or apply for an extension of your stay. If you decide to stay back in Canada, you must apply at least 30 days before your current student status expires.

The PGWPP allows post-graduate students who have studied at a participating Canadian university/college to gain Canadian work experience. Work experience gained through the PGWPP will ultimately help students qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Duration - A post-graduation work permit cannot be valid for longer than the student’s course of study. For example, if your post-graduate course was of two years duration, then the work permit granted to you will also be for two years.

The study program must be a minimum of eight months in length for you to be eligible for a work permit.

The eligibility and application criteria to get a Post Study Work Permit in Canada (PGWP Canada) are as follows:

• You should have pursued a full-time course in Canada.
• The length of your course should have been more than 8 months.
• You must have graduated from either a public post-secondary institution or a private post-secondary institution or
• You should apply for a work permit within three months (90 days) after receiving an official letter saying that you have successfully completed your education from the Institute.
• You will be given a work permit only if you have a student visa.
• You must pay the Open Work Permit Holder fee and the Standard Work Permit fee in Canadian currency, either online or manually.
• You cannot get a work permit longer than your course duration. If your course duration is eight months, then you will receive a work permit for eight months.

In this section, we have covered Post Graduate Work Permit in Canada. This means that we have referred to those students who have completed their academics in Canada. However, students have a query about working in Canada after completing their academics in other countries. Students often ask questions, such as “after PhD in India what should I do in Canada?” In such a scenario, you have the following options:

• You want to work directly in Canada: In this case, you will have to apply for a PR in Canada.
• You want to pursue further academics in Canada: If you wish to pursue further academics in Canada, you will have to apply to a Canadian University and then for a Canada student visa.
• To answer the question, “after PhD in India what should I do in Canada?” you can apply for a Canada PR if you wish to work in Canada, or you can pursue your post-doc research in Canada.

Latest Update

Canada removed the restriction of 20 hours per week for international students to tame the labour shortages in the economy. Read more about this here

Placements

Indian students are used to the concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment for getting jobs. There is no concept of placements in Canada. Most Canadian universities have a cell called a Career Services Center, which helps you get jobs and helps you prepare for interviews. The on-campus recruitment is always driven by student interest. Companies that recruit through the University do not offer a job directly. What they offer is an internship or co-op. Companies like to see your work for a few months before they hire you full-time.

Related Read: Highest Paying Jobs in Canada

Co-Op Education Program

In a Cooperative program, a period of study alternates with work. The Student Co-op program is a formally structured program where the intent is to recruit students, while still in school, to fill permanent positions upon graduation. Co-op programs are generally undertaken at colleges and universities. Indian students who wish to participate in a co-op or internship program must apply for a work permit as well as a study permit.

Eligibility criteria: To be eligible for a co-op, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must have a valid study visa
• Your intended employment must be related to your program of study in Canada
• Your employment must be part of your academic program, certified by a letter from a responsible academic official of the institution.

Check: Professional Courses After Graduation

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