Knowledgebase
FAQs
Canada possesses an excellent and internationally recognized Educational System that would guarantee career and professional success. The culture of Canada is open and welcoming that freely embraces diversity from any culture. Graduates from Canadian Educational Institutions enjoy a high standard of living worldwide. And the cost of living in the country is affordable.
Normally, it may take around twelve (12) weeks to process a Student Visa/Permit. This time does not include the time it takes to send an application between a VAC and the Canadian Embassy and the time you need to give your biometrics.
The maximum duration provided to a student to stay in Canada is three (3) years granted that you are approved for a two (2) year study program and an extended one (1) year under a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). The equivalent of a Student Visa in Canada is a Study Permit.
Typically, there are no age limits for an international student who wants to study in Canada, though some restrictions may be imposed depending on the Educational Institution and Program.
Currently, student are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week. This may change depending on policy updates. In addition, students can look forward to the co-op component of their studies, which most programs have.
There are various recognized English Tests to qualify to study in Canada such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) assessment, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, to name a number of them. It would depend on the Educational Institution you wish to apply for to determine what you need to take.
The maximum time for processing of a Canadian Study Visa to include the Study Permit typically varies by country and in the Philippines, it may take twelve (12) weeks and this does not include the time it takes to send an application between a Visa Application Center (VAC) and the Canadian Government and the time you need to give your biometrics.
Only students taking a Master’s Degree or PhD Program are currently allowed to bring a spouse under an Open Work Permit. They are allowed to stay in Canada to work, valid for the same period as the Study Permit.
Only dependent children, those who are under the age of twenty-two (22) years old without a spouse or partner or a person over twenty-two (22) years old if they are unable to financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition, can accompany you while you study. Keep in mind that this may affect the Visa Office’s decision on whether or not to issue you a Study Permit.
Depending on your school or program choice, tuition fees can range from CA$10,000.00 to CA$34,000.00. Level of study, length of the program, and ancillary fees may vary.
Yes you do, examples of these include proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you’ve transferred money to Canada, Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution, proof of a student or education loan from a bank, your bank statements for the past 4 months, a bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars proof you paid tuition and housing fees, a letter from the person or school giving you money or proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program.
It is common practice and a requirement for International Students to get insurance for the duration of their study in Canada. The different types of insurance are health insurance, travel medical insurance and major medical insurance.
The average yearly premium for health insurance would range from CA$600.00 to CA$
Terminologies
Studying abroad may be daunting and challenging. Find out how to successfully navigate yourself via this useful information.
Academic program
A post-secondary program that awards an academic degree, diploma, or professional certification. This program is often delivered at universities, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology.
Accompanying family member
A spouse, common-law partner, dependent child or dependent child of a dependent child (grandchild), who plans to immigrate to Canada with the principal applicant. Accompanying family members are included in the application.
Biometric Instruction Letter
If you need to give your biometrics, IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter to you either by mail or through your account when you apply. You must bring a paper copy of this letter with you to a visa application centre (VAC) or application support centre (ASC) when you go in person to give your biometrics. The letter contains bar codes that must be scanned by the VAC or ASC before you can give your biometrics.
Border services officer
Officers of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), a federal government agency, who have the legal authority to decide who can enter and remain in Canada. These officers have many of the same powers as police officers, including the right to conduct searches, make arrests, and seize documents or goods.
Child Care Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is managed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising their children under 18 years of age.
As an international student, you should have been a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, and who has a valid permit in the 19th month.
Common-law partner (Common-law spouse)
A person who has been living with another person in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. The term refers to opposite-sex and same-sex relationships.
Dependent
A spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child of a permanent resident or principal applicant.
Dependent child
A child who is under the maximum age and is not married or in a common-law relationship. Generally, to qualify as dependants, children must
be under 22 years old
not have a spouse or common-law partner
Exception: Children who are at the age limit or older can qualify as over-age dependants if they have depended on their parents for financial support since before they reached the age limit and can’t financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.
Designated Learning Institution
A designated learning institution is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. To apply for a study permit, you need an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution.
Educational credential
Any diploma, degree, or trade or apprenticeship credential issued for completing a program of study or training at a recognized educational or training institution.
Educational credential assessment (ECA)
Is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate (or other proof of your credential) is valid and equal to a Canadian one.
Educational institution
An organization that offers academic, technical or vocational programs of study, like a university or college.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
eTA is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. It will allow Canada to screen travelers before they arrive. The authorization is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Eligible
To be eligible for something means to be qualified to participate or be chosen.
Full-time job equivalent
Defined as 1,560 hours of paid employment per year.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Accepted as a proof of English proficiency for study at all universities and colleges in Canada, and for permanent residency and citizenship by provincial and federal governments.
Immigration officer
An officer responsible for deciding who can enter and stay in Canada. They usually work at Ports of Entry (airports, land border crossings) or one of our offices in Canada. They may check documents and interview applicants to make sure applications are accurate.
Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
Is an official confirmation that you have a place to study in Canada. It lists your student information, program and institution details, expected timeline of the study, tuition fees, and scholarship or financial aid information, any conditions related to your acceptance or registration (such as language competence), and other details.
Letter of Introduction (LOI)
A document sent from a visa office to confirm approval of:
a study permit, or
a work permit, or
extended stay for a parent or grandparent from a country that does not require visas (the Super Visa program).
Applicants must present the letter when they arrive in Canada.
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada facilitates the arrival of immigrants, provides protection to refugees and offers programming to help newcomers settle in Canada. It also:
grants citizenship, and
issues travel documents (such as passports) to Canadians.
Language requirement
Some types of applications require you to have a certain level of skill in either English or French. The level of language ability required is different, depending on the type of application being submitted.
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
The National Occupation Classification (NOC) is a list of all the occupations in the Canadian labor market. It describes each job according to skill type and skill level. The NOC is used to collect and organize job statistics and to provide labour market information. It is also used as a basis for certain immigration requirements.
Ontario Advanced Diploma Programs
Typical duration four semesters or 1800-2100 equivalent.Admission Requirements: Secondary school diploma or equivalent; or is the holder of an admission requirement established by the Board of Governors for a specific program of instruction and additional program-specific requirements.
Ontario Degree Programs
The typical duration of eight semesters is (normally 120 credits, or the equivalent). Admission Requirements: Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, six universities or university/college courses at the Grade 12 level, a minimum average set by the institution, and additional requirements as programs require.
Ontario Diploma Programs
Typical duration four semesters or 1200-1400 equivalent.Admission Requirements: Secondary school diploma or equivalent; or is the holder of an admission requirement established by the Board of Governors for a specific program of instruction and additional program-specific requirements.
Ontario Graduate Certificate Programs
Typical duration two semesters or 600-700 equivalent instructional hours. Admission Requirements: Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, private career college diploma, degree or equivalent, and additional program-specific requirements.
Open work permit
A type of work permit that allows a person to work for any employer in Canada, except for an employer:
who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with conditions, or
who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.
Panel physician
A medical doctor appointed by IRCC to perform immigration medical examinations.
Permanent resident (PR)
A person who has legally immigrated to Canada but is not yet a Canadian citizen.
Personal Study Plan
A description of your proposed program of studies as it relates to your academic, technical, or vocational background and future career goals. Also known as Statement of Plan (SOP).
PET (Pearson Tests of English)
Accepted as a proof of English proficiency for study at all universities and colleges in Canada, and for permanent residency and citizenship by provincial and federal governments.
Post-graduation work permit
A document issued by IRCC to eligible foreign students who have:
graduated from an approved program of study at an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada that is participating in the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
applied to IRCC within 90 days of completing all degree or program requirements.
It allows the bearer to work legally in Canada after completing studies.
Post-secondary institution
A stage of higher education that comes after high school. Refers to a college, university or technical school offering programs of study.
Provincial Nominee Program
A program that allows provinces and territories to nominate candidates for immigration to Canada.
Student Direct Stream (SDS)
Is an expedited study permit processing program for those who are applying to study in Canada at a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI).
Study permit
A document issued by IRCC authorizes a foreign national to study at an educational institution in Canada for the duration of the program of study. It sets out conditions for the student such as:
whether their travel within Canada is restricted and
when they have to leave.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Accepted as a proof of English proficiency for study at all universities and colleges in Canada, and for permanent residency and citizenship by provincial and federal governments.
Visa
An official counterfoil document issued by a visa office abroad that is placed in a person’s passport to show that he or she has met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (a visitor, student, or worker). A counterfoil is a specially designed sticker on which missions abroad print visa information.
Visa Application Centre
Visa application centres (VACs) help you submit temporary residence applications to a visa office for a fee. They can serve you in your preferred language and provide services to areas without easy access to a visa office.
VACs receive applications, check that they are complete, and send them to the correct visa office for processing. They don’t represent the Government of Canada and don’t make decisions on your application.
Trivia
Know more about what studying in Canada means through information and trivia we may find both entertaining and useful!
Find out interesting facts on Canada and how the nation has built its famous reputation.
The name “”Canada”” comes from the word “”Kanata”” used by the Iroquois, a native American tribe who lived in Quebec in the 16th Century
Canada officially became its own completely independent country in 1982 with the Canada Act
“O Canada” (French: Ô Canada) is the national anthem of Canada. The song was originally commissioned by Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Théodore Robitaille for the 1880 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony; Calixa Lavallée composed the music, after which, words were written by the poet and judge Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier.
European exploration of Canada began in earnest in 1497 with the expedition of John Cabot, who was the first to draw a map of Canada’s East Coast.
In 1604, the first European settlement north of Florida was established by French explorers Pierre de Monts and Samuel de Champlain, first on St. Croix Island (in present-day Maine), then at Port-Royal, in Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia).
Canada’s Literacy Rate is over 99%
No trip to Canada is complete without knowing and feasting on the food the country is known for!
Poutine is a dish of french fries with cheese curds and gravy on top.
Ketchup Chips are a special chip flavour of ketchup, only in Canada.
Bacon Chips is another special chip flavour only in Canada.
Smoked Salmon is type of salmon that has been cured and salted.
Maple Syrup is a sweet syrup – the Canadian Flag features a maple leaf on it too.
Butter Tarts are a sweet tart of butter, sugar, syrup and egg.
Montreal Bagels are a type of sweet bagel from Montreal, Quebec.
Nanaimo Bars are named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia made of crumb, icing and chocolate and requires no baking.
Peameal Bacon is a type of bacon that has a crispy outer crust made from cornmeal.
Montreal Smoked Meat is a savoury smoked meat from Montreal made of a hybrid of corned beef and pastrami.
Beavertails are a piece of dough shaped like a beaver’s tail with sweet toppings.
Canada Dry is a brand of gingerale from Canada.
How a Filipino Can Succeed in the Canadian Workplace
Filipinos have a lot of commendable traits they can still easily carry with them in the Canadian workplace. However, depending on the work culture or environment one is accustomed to in the Philippines, one may need to adjust once they move to Canada.
Eleanor Guerrero-Campbell co-founder of the Canadian Filipino Net website, also hosts the column ‘Paths for Skilled Immigrants’ containing information and advice for skilled immigrants in various professions and occupations. She wrote an eye opening, must read 2-part article that will be aid Filipinos in adjusting to and succeeding in the Canadian workplace.
Here is a summary of what Filipinos are generally known for at work:
Strengths:
- Loyal and hardworking – Family-oriented and very religious, employers see them as reliable and trustworthy
- Caring – Suitable for careers in nursing, caregiving, social service and customer service
- Good interpersonal relationships – Considered as team players, modest yet fun-loving. Quickly well-liked in their workplace
- Strong respect for authority – Like most Asian cultures, adhere to a hierarchical leadership style
Weakness:
- Strong respect for authority – Unlikely to question a boss’ decisions, may just follow order to please the boss
- Use of “Sir” or “Mam” to address supervisors – May come off as subservience or passivity, Canadians are used to egalitarian leadership or being equals with colleagues
- Modesty in highlighting one’s abilities, sharing ideas or opinions – Expects boss to give directions and not offer one’s own ideas may be seen as lack of initiative and independent thinking
- Cannot speak of one’s achievement or provide comment on supervisor for evaluations – May lose out on a positive evaluation and advancing their career
Follow the links below for the full article:
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Course Career Matching
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