Covering an area of 9,984,670 km2, Canada is the world’s second largest country by area, and almost the same size as all of Europe combined. It is located in the northern part of North America, where it shares its southern border with the United States, while its northern peak goes all the way up to the Arctic Circle.

Pro Tip: Travelling to Canada? Check the distances between your chosen airport and your destination. Neighbouring towns could be kilometers away given Canada’s vast land mass.

We have a responsibility to help students make an informed decision about their future, particularly about their education options. As such, We are always be honest and professional in all of their dealings.

You must:

• Always be truthful in discussions with students about the features of education institutions and do not mislead or overpromise them.
• Not persuade a student/recruiter to choose an institution or program that does not suit the student’s goals and qualifications.
• Be fully knowledgeable about an institution’s programs, policies and benefits.

Important Note

In 2011, Bill C-35, a proposed amendment to the Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) was passed into Canadian law. Now section 91(1) of the IRPA makes it illegal for anyone other than the following to provide advice or otherwise represent a client during an application or proceeding with Citizenship and Immigration Canada:

• Lawyers who are members in good standing with a law society of a province or notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec;
• Any other member in good standing of a law society of a province or the Chambre des notaires du Québec, including a paralegal; or
• Members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)—the governing body for immigration consultants designated by the Minister of CIC.

Promoting Canadian Education Institutions

Do:

• Verify that all information provided is accurate and up-to-date.
• Ensure that the information provided is easily understandable.
• Treat student’s information confidentially and carefully.
• Consider ways to add value to the service you provide to prospective students (e.g., translating information for students/ recruiters partners who would otherwise struggle to understand them).

Don’t:

• Provide misleading information or unfair comparisons between institutions.
• Provide overly idealized information regarding facilities of institutions or employment after studies.
• Persuade students to choose programs or school that are not in line with their educational goals and interests.
• Transfer information of the students to other business without approval of the students or recruitment partners.
• Provide paid immigration service to students unless legally authorised to do so.

With affordable tuition fees, quality institutions, flexibility to work during study, post-study work and immigration options, it is no surprise that Canada is one of the premiere destinations for international students. In 2020, Canada drew in over 530,000 international students from around the globe. According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education’s (CBIE) 2018 International Student Survey, the majority of students (93%) say they are satisfied with their educational experience in Canada.

Academic Excellence

One of the biggest reasons students choose to come to Canada is the quality of a Canadian education. Canadian degrees and diplomas are widely recognized as comparable to those from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Canadian universities and colleges consistently place high on international rankings. In fact, 17 Canadian universities are ranked in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2024. Many are also ranked in the top 100 by reputable sources like The Times Higher Education World University Rankings and Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Education is highly valued in Canada. The Canadian government invests heavily in the Canadian education system. As a result, Canada has one of the highest rates of post secondary education completion (61%) amongst the OECD member countries. Unsurprisingly, Canadian teachers, professors, and researchers are also amongst the most qualified academic professionals around the world. Canada also attracts top international faculty because of its investments in cutting-edge research in areas such as medical science, pharmaceuticals, information technology and artificial intelligence.

Affordable Costs

Not only is the quality of Canadian education amongst the best in the world, it is also one of the most cost-effective. The tuition fees, as well as the overall costs of living, are generally lower in Canada than in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.

According to a 2014 HSBC report, The Value of Education: Springboard for Success, the average cost (tuition and living expenses) of a university undergraduate education for an international student in Canada is approximately $30,000 USD per year. By comparison, the United States ($36,564USD), Australia ($42,093 USD) and the United Kingdom ($35,045 USD) are all considerably higher.

The conversions in CAD are based on the five-year average exchange rate of 1 USD = 0.76CAD approximately, and do not account for inflation or changes in exchange rates since the report was published. This table is intended to provide an average cost comparison between the various popular study abroad destinations – and should not be used to budget a student’s international education as actual fees and costs of living vary by institution, program of study and the city a student will live and study in.

High Quality of Life

Canada has ranked #1 in the Best Countries Ranking for Quality of Life for six years in a row now (as of 2021). It is also amongst the top 15 countries on the UN’s 2018 Human Development Index, which assesses the three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. Surveys and research shows that Canadians are generally happier and more satisfied with their life than others around the world. According to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Canada has a high level of satisfaction globally, faring well above the USA, UK, Germany, France and Australia.

Safe Place to Live

Another big reason why students choose to come to Canada is safety. Prospective international students and their parents can gain comfort knowing that Canada is amongst the safest countries in the world. The 2023 Global Peace Index from the Institute for Economics and Peace’s ranks Canada as one of the 15 most peaceful countries around the world.

Canada’s student-friendly work policies are amongst one of the major reasons international students choose Canada as their study destination.

Many international students opt for working while studying to earn an income, as well as to gain valuable Canadian work experience to support their professional growth. There are many work opportunities available to eligible international students, including on-campus employment, off-campus jobs, co-ops, and internships.

Eligibility Criteria

International students do not need a work permit to work while they study. They are eligible to work in Canada provided that there aren’t any restrictions on their study permit.

Typically, international students can work while studying if they are enrolled as a full-time post-secondary student in a Designated Learning Institution that is over 6 months in duration and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate.

Eligible international students can work up to 20 hours per week during a regular academic session and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks between academic sessions, such as the summer break. Students cannot start their employment before their studies begin, and require a work permit to resume employment once their study program ends and their study permit expires.

Students are ineligible to work if they are:

• Only enrolled in an English or French as a second language (ESL) program
• Only taking general interest courses
• Only taking courses required to be accepted into a full-time program
• Only enrolled as a part-time student, or
• Have any other restrictions specified on their study permit

The eligibility criteria and requirements may change over time. Please refer to the Government of Canada website for the most up-to-date information about studying and working in Canada as an international student.

On-Campus Employment

“On-campus” refers to all the buildings and offices on the school premises. Full-time students can work on-campus if their study permit indicates that they’re allowed to work on- or off-campus. Specific employment opportunities depend on the institution, but most schools offer on-campus employment with the library, the book store, administration, print services, food services, in the writing centre, or even as a student tutor. For most up-to-date information on which students are eligible to work on-campus, please visit the Government of Canada website for Work On-Campus.

Off-Campus Jobs

International students can join the Canadian workforce while studying on a part-time basis if there are no work restrictions on their study permit. For most up-to-date information on student eligibility for off-campus employment, please visit the Government of Canada website for Work Off-Campus.

Co-ops and Internships

Some study programs include work experience as part of their curriculum, which is known as a co-op placement or internship. International students can take advantage of these work placements by getting a co-op or intern work permit. Note that some employers also offer unpaid internships as a way to gain work experience.

For most up-to-date information on whether a student is eligible for co-op or intern work permit, please visit the Government of Canada website.

Canadians reside in one of the 10 provinces and 3 territories within the country, with over 35% living in Ontario, followed by Quebec (23%), British Columbia (13%) and Alberta (12%). Canada’s capital city is Ottawa, Ontario. Its three largest and most globally recognized metropolitan cities are Toronto (Ontario), Montreal (Quebec), and Vancouver (British Columbia), all of which are ranked in the top 25 list of QS World University’s Best Student Cities.

Given Canada’s massive size and physical geography, temperatures can vary greatly across the country. Canadian winters can be harsh in many regions, with temperatures ranging between -15°C/5°F and -30°C/-22°F in the interior and Prairie provinces. Coastal regions, such as around British Columbia have much milder winters. Summers, on the other hand, are hot with temperatures ranging between 20°C/70°F to 30°C/86°F, and occasionally exceeding 40°C/104°F. 

Pro Tip: Travelling to Canada? Plan for the weather! Contrary to popular misconception,
Canada does not always have snow and extreme cold. It gets quite hot in the summers
with temperatures going up to 40°C/104°F in some parts of the country.

Canada is globally known for its multiculturalism, making it a desirable location for international students travelling away from their family and their home.

Canadians are proud of their rich history and diverse blend of people and cultures. There are
laws in place to protect all people, regardless of circumstances, from discrimination. Immigrants from across the world make up one fifth of Canada’s population of over 37 million. Canada’s official languages are English and French, though most people speak English. Nearly 200 other languages are also spoken by the diverse Canadian population. The languages spoken most frequently after English and French are Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Ukrainian, Arabic, German, and Tagalog.