Did you know that 169,000 international students received Canadian study permits in 2021 alone?

Canada is one of the top destinations for students wanting to study abroad, and it’s no secret why.

Finding the right study destination is a big decision and not always easy to make. To help make your choice that much easier, here are the top 5 reasons you should study in Canada in 2022.

1. Canada Offers Academic Excellence

One of the top reasons so many students choose Canada is it has an extremely high level of education.

Out of 1,300 universities worldwide, at least three of Canada’s universities have made the QS Top Universities list, including the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia.

2. Affordable Tuition & Living Costs

Canada is also a lot more affordable than other first-world destinations when it comes to studying abroad and the cost of living. For example, rent in Canada, on average, is at least 21.76 percent lower than in the United States and 7.42 percent than in Australia.

Tuition fees in Canada are, on average, $3-5,000 cheaper than in Australia per year and $8-9,000 in terms of cost of living. On average, tuition in the U.S. can be 2-3 times more expensive than in Canada, while the cost of living can be $4-5,000 more per year in the States.

Below are some of the most affordable Canadian universities to consider:

• University of Prince Edward Island
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• University of Manitoba
• University of Saskatchewan
• Concordia University

3. Earn While You Learn

Did you know that you can work for up to 20 hours per week while studying in Canada? And to top it off, this is only during semesters. You can also work full-time in between semesters!
This is yet another one of the top reasons to study in Canada in 2022. Moreover, if you want to work more hours, you could always apply for a work permit. There are plenty of great part-time work opportunities in Canada for international students, like:

• Tutors
• Bartenders
• Food and Beverage Servers
• Sales Assistant
• Ski Instructors

4. Cultural Diversity

International students in Canada come from all over the world. This means that you’ll not only be able to make friends of your own nationality, but you’ll also be able to expand your group of friends globally. There are over 160 languages spoken in Toronto alone, and in most cities, you’ll more than likely find a taste of home in various global restaurants across the country.

There are also various resources and groups for newcomers to help you settle in Canada quickly, making it feel like your home away from home.

5. You Could Get Permanent Residency

Certain Canadian universities are allocated for international students. These are known as Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). By completing a qualification that’s at least eight months long from a DLI, you could qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

The PGWP lets you stay and work in Canada for the same length of time as your study program. In other words, if you’ve completed a three-year program, you’d more than likely be able to stay and work in Canada for up to three years additionally.

Specific programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) will allow you to apply for permanent residency after gaining just one year of Canadian work experience.

How to Apply for a Canadian Student Visa

Step 1: Make sure that you meet the requirements

Before applying to the college or university of your choice, it’s best to check if you meet the Canadian student visa requirements.

• Be fully vaccinated
• Enroll at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Have enough money to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and transportation (for both you and your accompanying family members)
• Have a medical exam showing you’re in good health
• Have proof that you intend to leave Canada after your studies/permit expires

Step 2: Gather your documents

Before starting the study permit application process, it’s best to get all your supporting documents in order. Below is a list of the documents you’ll need to apply for a Canadian study permit.

• Proof of acceptance
• Proof of identity, e.g., valid passport or travel document, and two passport photos
• Proof of financial support, e.g. bank account statements from the past four months, paid tuition, and housing fees (you’ll need about CAN $10,000 excluding tuition)

In addition, you may need to submit a letter of explanation outlining why you want to study in Canada and that you understand what is required of you as an international student in Canada.

Step 3: Submit your application<

Now that all your paperwork is in order, it’s time to start the actual application process.It’s highly recommended that you submit your application online to make the process both quicker and more efficient.

If successful, you’ll get a port of entry letter, which you’ll need to present to the border services officer when you get to Canada. You’ll then be issued a Canadian study permit. You’ll also receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor’s visa to be able to enter Canada.

With these top 5 reasons to study in Canada in 2022, it’s no doubt that you’ll want to start looking at places to study in Canada. However, if you feel that you need help, the immigration professionals at mdccanada.ca can help make the study permit application process more manageable.