A study-abroad guide that starts with Canada
Plan your studies abroad with the rules in front of you
eSource explains the paperwork, costs and choices behind studying overseas. We start with Canada, then cover the UK, Australia and Europe. Every rule is checked against the government source and dated.
15 chapters in four partsChecked October 2026
Contents
Part I Canada
Part II Money and choices
Part III Other destinations
Part IV Families
Where students live
Most international students in Canada study in or near the three largest cities. The province decides some of the paperwork as well as the rent.
Ontario
Toronto is Canada's largest city and its main financial centre, with the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University and York University, plus large colleges such as Humber, George Brown and Seneca. Rent is the biggest cost, and many students share apartments or commute on the TTC and GO Transit.
- 2026 attestation allocation
- 104,780 applications, the largest of any province
- Proof of funds
- CAD 23,448 a year for a single student
- Winter
- Snow from December to March
Quebec
Montreal is French-speaking, with two large English-language universities, McGill and Concordia, alongside Université de Montréal and Université du Québec à Montréal. Students going to Quebec need a CAQ from the province before they apply for the federal study permit.
- Extra step
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
- Proof of funds
- CAD 24,617 for a single adult student in 2026
- Language
- French helps with part-time jobs and staying on
British Columbia
Vancouver has the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, plus a number of colleges. Winters are mild and wet, but rents are among the highest in Canada and campus housing is in short supply, so many students live in Burnaby or Richmond and take the SkyTrain.
- Proof of funds
- CAD 23,448 a year for a single student
- Housing
- On-campus places are scarce
- Winter
- Mild and wet, with less snow
Elsewhere
Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Winnipeg and Waterloo all have well-regarded universities and lower rents than the big three. Some provinces outside Ontario and British Columbia also have more room within their attestation allocation.
- Proof of funds
- CAD 23,448 a year outside Quebec
- Worth comparing
- Rent, transport and part-time work
From offer to graduation
The Canadian route in the order you will meet it. Each step links to the chapter that explains it.
Letter of acceptance
It must come from a designated learning institution. Every DLI has a number.
Choosing a universityAttestation letter
Your school usually requests the PAL or TAL after you accept. Master's and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt from 1 January 2026.
Attestation lettersCAQ, for Quebec only
Students going to Quebec apply to the province before the federal permit.
Studying in MontrealProof of funds
CAD 23,448 for living costs outside Quebec, on top of first-year tuition and travel, for applications from 1 September 2026.
Costs and scholarshipsStudy plan and application
The application fee is CAD 150 and biometrics cost CAD 85 per person.
Writing a study planArrival
You travel with a port of entry letter. A border officer issues the permit, so check its conditions before you leave the desk.
After approvalDuring your studies
Up to 24 hours a week off campus during term and full-time in scheduled breaks. You need a Social Insurance Number to work.
Working while you studyAfter graduation
Apply for a post-graduation work permit within 180 days. University graduates need CLB 7 in all four skills.
The post-graduation work permit
Questions readers ask first
Is a study permit the same as a visa?
No. The study permit lets you study in Canada for longer than six months. Depending on your nationality you also receive a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorisation with it. The study permit chapter covers both.
Do master's students still need an attestation letter?
Not at public institutions. From 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt, according to IRCC. Most college and undergraduate students still need one.
Can part-time earnings count as proof of funds?
No. IRCC expects the money to be in place before you arrive. Part-time work helps with living costs, but it is unlikely to cover tuition.
How many hours can I work during term?
Up to 24 hours a week off campus while classes are in session, if you meet the conditions. Work on campus does not count toward the limit. See working while you study.
Does every college lead to a post-graduation work permit?
No. Some private colleges, including many public-private partnership colleges, do not. Most college graduates also need a programme linked to a field on IRCC's shortage list. Ask the institution in writing before you accept an offer.
Which other countries does the guide cover?
The United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland, in part three. Comparing universities explains how to set offers from different countries side by side.
Part IV · Families
Moving abroad with children
When a parent moves abroad to study or work, the family's plans tend to hinge on three things: school places, permits for dependants and what housing costs near the schools.
How to use eSource
If you are early in your planning, start with the country overviews and the costs page. They give you the outline of each system: what the visa requires, how much money you must show, how many hours you can work and what happens after graduation. Then read the detailed guide for the step you are on.
Visa rules change often, and Canada has changed its study permit rules several times since 2024. Each page shows the month it was last checked, and figures link to the government page they come from. If a page is more than a few months old, check the official source before you rely on it.
We do not take commission from universities or agents, and we cannot help with individual applications.
