When is the Best Time for International Students to Apply for College in Canada?

Summer registrations for master's students begin on January 15th, and undergraduate students may need to register even earlier. Depending on the country of origin, the process of obtaining a study permit can take anywhere from one month to nine months. To apply for a study permit, you must have an official acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI) and a valid passport or other travel document. Prospective students with a nonimmigrant visa (B-2 or J-) who are interested in changing their immigration status to an F-1 student visa without leaving the U.

S. can contact the International Student Center for help filing a Change of Status (COS) application to USCIS. The COS application must be submitted to USCIS at least three months before the start of the semester. For more information on how to file a change of status request, call or email the International Student Center. To ensure that you have enough time to review all available information and make sure you choose the right universities, we recommend applying to universities at least ten to twelve months before the expected start date of the semester.

This means that you should start researching schools and collecting their application documents even before that. The sooner you start, the more time you have to prepare for any surprises that may arise during the process. Deadlines vary, but generally, you must request it at least eight or twelve months in advance. Typical entry points for international students are the semesters of September and January. However, many universities have a “rolling” admission procedure to consider international students throughout the year.

The shortest processing time is 1 to 2 weeks, but some applicants can wait up to 16 weeks. Processing times depend on the volume of requests received; if you apply near the start of the Canadian academic year, you may experience delays. International students in Canada can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during school terms and full-time during scheduled breaks such as summer vacation. If your study program includes work experience, you may be able to work more than 20 hours during the semester; this will be stated in your acceptance letter. If approved by the government, you will be granted both a work permit and a study permit. Once you choose a school, college or university, you must apply to go there.

Each school has different rules for how to apply. Canada has become a booming center for international students whose dreams include staying in the country where they complete their studies; it also offers a direct path to permanent citizenship, an option that many international students seek. Canada has been ranked as one of the top ten places to live in the world for more than twenty years and has an education system ranked among the best. This test assesses how well test takers analyze and solve problems, skills they learned in school and will need in college. Canada is an increasingly popular option for students seeking and requiring a less expensive alternative to studying internationally than they might find in the U. S.

Universities give priority to permanent residents of Ontario and Canada when accepting applicants for these programs. International students in Canada can also work as part of a cooperative or internship program, as long as the work is part of their educational program. If a student stays in a metropolitan city such as Toronto or Vancouver, expenses could amount to CAD 15,000 compared to a student studying in the suburbs, where expenses would be between 8,000 and 10,000 CAD each year. If you are currently studying in Canada with a valid study permit, you are still considered an international student. Work experience gained through the PGWPP will help students qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). It should highlight why you are a perfect person for college and why the university should accept you. Postgraduate work permit allows international students to stay in Canada and work for up to three years after graduation.

Other nonimmigrant students (J-1 or H- or F-1) studying at another school who are interested in taking class(es) at Cañada College while maintaining their current immigration status should follow certain steps. IELTS is likely to be your best option for an English language proficiency test as all universities and colleges in Canada accept it. If your language skills are insufficient, there are a number of Canadian programs that you can enroll in before applying to a university in the country offered by universities, colleges and private institutions. You may want to consider investing in college admissions advice for international students to maximize your chances of admission. You should not expect to fund any part of your studies in Canada through money received from part-time employment while attending college. Music, theater, science and literature societies in universities offer opportunities for outdoor education and other leisure activities.

Simon Gooch
Simon Gooch

"Simon Gooch is a seasoned professional with a passion for transforming the landscape of international education. With over two decades of experience in the education industry, he has excelled in roles that encompass student recruitment, market development, and educational consulting. Currently serving as the Global Sales Director for ELS Educational Services, Inc., Simon's commitment to expanding educational access is evident in his work overseeing agent sales worldwide, with a particular focus on ELS centers across the USA. His career journey also includes founding Seed Educational Consulting Ltd, a B2B and B2C agency dedicated to helping students from Africa pursue higher education opportunities in various countries. Simon's strong leadership, exceptional agent relationship management, and proficiency in opening new and emerging markets have played pivotal roles in his successful career.Simon's academic background further strengthens his expertise, a fluent French speaker holding a First-Class degree in French and Modern European Studies from the University of East Anglia. His specialties lie in customer relationship management with a clear focus on agents, parents/students, and university partners. Simon's remarkable track record in developing emerging markets, particularly in Russia, the Middle East, and Africa, showcases his ability to drive consistent and long-term growth in these regions. With a deep commitment to educational access and international collaboration, Simon Gooch continues to make a significant impact in the field of international education."