About Canada
Canada is a large, safe, multicultural country with a big Indian community, especially in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. It offers universities and colleges, and co-op programs that include paid work terms. Main intakes are September, January and May. The currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD).
Why study in Canada
- Up to 3 years of open work permit after graduation (PGWP)
- One of the clearest study-to-permanent-residence (PR) routes in the world
- Co-op programs give paid Canadian work experience while you study
- Work up to 24 hours a week during term
- Master's and PhD students at public institutions are exempt from the study permit cap from 2026
Popular fields of study
Computer science and IT, engineering, data science, business and MBA, healthcare and nursing, skilled trades, and supply chain. Top universities include Toronto, McGill, UBC, Waterloo and McMaster.
Student visa, step by step
Student visa: study permit.
- Get a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- Get a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) if your program needs one. Master's and PhD students at public institutions don't need one from 2026.
- Show first-year tuition plus CAD 22,895 for living costs (one person). A GIC is the usual proof.
- Take a medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
- Apply online through IRCC with your study plan and documents, then give biometrics at a VFS centre.
- Wait for approval, then receive your port-of-entry letter.
After you get your visa
- The study permit itself is issued at the airport when you land.
- Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) before you start work.
- Work up to 24 hours a week off campus in term and full-time in scheduled breaks.
- Stay enrolled full-time and in good standing, or your PGWP chances suffer.
Work and staying on
- Working while you study
- Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) before you start work. Work up to 24 hours a week off campus in term and full-time in scheduled breaks.
- After you graduate
- Up to 3 years (PGWP) The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit for any employer. Programs of 8 months to under 2 years: a PGWP about as long as the program Programs of 2 years or more, and most Master's degrees: up to 3 years You need an English or French test result. College (non-degree) programs must also be in an eligible field of study. You get the PGWP only once in a lifetime.
- Settling long term
- Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class: after 1 year of skilled Canadian work, you can apply for PR. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): many provinces have streams for international graduates. Citizenship: possible after 3 years as a PR within 5 years.
Rules change. Please confirm the latest position with your guide.
Visa expenses
| Study permit fee | CAD 150 |
| Biometrics | CAD 85 |
| Living-cost funds to show | CAD 22,895 a year + first-year tuition |
| PGWP application | about CAD 255 (approximate) |
Average salary
Graduates typically start at about CAD 50,000–CAD 65,000 a year (approximate). Tech and engineering roles pay more.
Good to know
- The number of study permits is capped nationally, and college permits are hardest to get.
- Spouses get open work permits only in limited cases, mainly for Master's (16+ months) and PhD students.
General information for Indian students, not immigration advice. Fees, funds and post-study rules change often; figures marked approximate are estimates. Check the official sources before you apply: