C A N A D A

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Visa

Immigration Requirements

To study in Canada you will need a Student Authorization. Depending on your country of residence, you may also need a visa. To get a Student Authorization, you must show your letter of university or college admission, proof of sufficient financial resources, and your valid passport. The fee is $125 in Canadian funds.

Money

You'll probably want to open a checking account once you're in Canada, but you'll still need money for your first few weeks on campus, particularly if your country has restrictions on sending money abroad. Traveler’s checks are your safest option. Don't count on employment as a major source of income during your stay in Canada, because immigration laws limit employment options for international students. Working on campus is okay as long as you're a full-time student.

Accommodations

Depending on the school, you may have several housing options, including:

on-campus residence (also called a dormitory) - you can live close to your classroom buildings Meals are often provided with this option.

off-campus housing - apartments, suites of rooms, or even houses are available to rent in most areas. Several students often live together to keep costs down.

special-interest housing - some schools have residences such as international houses where students with similar interests live together.

host family homes (also called homestay) - some schools will help you to find living accommodation with a nearby Canadian family.

Campus housing options and practices vary across Canada, so your best source of information is the admission or housing office of the university or college in which you're interested.

Transportation

The transportation system in Canada may be quite different from what you're accustomed to, and it does vary within the country. Most Canadians own cars, although many areas offer public transportation, such as buses, trains or subways. On most campuses, everything you need is within walking distance. If the campus is large and the school does not offer shuttle service from one part of campus to another, you might consider purchasing a bicycle. Driver's license from other countries are valid in Canada for six months.