Before Arriving

International students come to Canada for its high quality of education, diverse and accepting culture, access to beautiful nature areas, and so much more. In 2021, Canada welcomed more than 450,000 international students.

Whether you are in the planning stages of coming to study in Canada, or you are already accepted into a post-secondary institution here, it’s never too early to start thinking about and checking off these twelve necessities for starting as an international student in Canada.

Passport

A passport is essential to travel internationally. If you don’t have a passport, apply to get one in your home country. If you do have a passport, check the expiry date: you cannot travel internationally if your passport expires in six months or less.

Once you arrive in Canada, you are responsible for making sure your passport is up-to-date. If you need to extend or renew your passport while in Canada, you will need to contact your country’s consulate or embassy.

Letter of Acceptance

If you have been accepted into a designated Canadian post-secondary institution, you will have received a letter of acceptance, which is required to obtain a study permit.

Some letters of acceptance are conditional. For example, one must complete English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) training before being able to begin their main program of study.

A Financial Plan

To obtain a study permit, you have to produce evidence that you will be able to fund yourself, including both in your tuition costs and additional living costs properly. This is called proof of financial support.

Canada requires all international students to prove minimum funds of $10,000 CAD per year, or $833 CAD per month, with additional financial requirements if you are bringing family members with you. For example, in the province of Quebec, you must have $11,000 CAD per year.

A Study Permit

Your study permit is the document that allows you to stay in Canada and study. It is different from a student visa, which is the document that allows you to enter Canada. A study permit costs ~$150 CAD.

If you have completed the first three steps of this checklist, you will have the proper documentation to obtain your study permit.

Accommodation

Finding somewhere affordable and close to your school can be difficult if you have never been to the area before. You should start planning your accommodation as soon as you have been accepted to university. Common options are:

On-campus student residences
Off-campus housing in an apartment or house
Homestay
Short-term furnished rentals

Health Insurance

All international students in Canada are required to have basic and extended health insurance. Not all provinces provide publicly funded health insurance for international students. Depending on your location, you may qualify for provincial health coverage or may need to get university-provided or private health insurance.

Provincial health insurance covers health basics, but does not cover dental care, vision care, and more specific health concerns. Some universities have student health insurance programs to cover extended health care. Speak to your school’s international students’ department to find out your best options for health insurance.

Medical Records

Before you leave home, you should ask your doctor’s office for a copy of your medical and immunization records. Any ongoing health concerns or prescriptions should be noted so that you can continue treating them when you start studying in Canada. Many Canadian universities have a clinic on-campus or close to campus in case you need medical attention at school.

A Canadian Bank Account

You will need a bank that caters to your need as both a newcomer and a student. All of the Big Five banks in Canada (Royal Bank, The Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, The Bank of Nova Scotia, and Toronto-Dominion Bank) provide such banking and credit card services.

Emergency Contact

Your school may ask you to provide a list of emergency contacts and their phone numbers in case of an accident or emergency. Pick one or two family members or close friends back in your home country to list as your emergency contact. You may also wish to include an emergency contact in Canada if you have close family or friends in the country.

A Cellphone Plan

If you already have a cell phone, you will need a Canadian cell phone plan. It tends to be more expensive than that in other countries. Most plans include a data package; a 5GB data plan plus calling and texting can be $60-100 CAD per month, while a minimal plan is only $30 per month.

Cell phone prices also vary: a smartphone can easily cost over $1000 CAD, while a non-internet enabled phone can be cheaper than $50 CAD. Common Canadian phone plan providers include Rogers, Bell, Telus, Fido, Virgin, and Koodo.

A Laptop or Tablet

Laptop computers or larger tablets can be used to take notes, access course materials, study, and participate in online lectures. Your technology needs may depend on your course of study. Check your faculty or department’s technology recommendations before making a purchase.

New laptops or tablets can range in price depending on model and capability, anywhere from $500 CAD to upwards of $3,000 CAD. If you are not really sure which laptop will serve you best, employees in technology stores can help guide you in the right direction.

Winter Gear

Winter gear is essential for all international students coming to Canada. If you have never seen snow or felt -30 degrees Celsius temperatures, you may be surprised at just how cold it can get here in the winter.

Layering clothes is key in cold conditions. Consider picking up a few of these items when it starts to get chilly in October or November:

Gloves, hat, and scarf
Long-sleeve shirts, long pants
Thermal underwear
Waterproof boots, thick socks
A quality winter jacket

A heavy winter coat can be pricier, anywhere from $150-300 CAD. Cost-effective options for winter coats across Canada include Walmart, MEC, and SportChek, as well as local retailers. Long parkas are also popular and will keep you very warm, such as the Canada Goose brand, but they can typically run well over $1,000 CAD.