Congratulations on your beginning your journey to Canada. This writeup contains several steps to studying in Canada. Ensure you follow them carefully without skipping anything. Your visa success will depend on following these instructions. This guide is COMPLETELY FREE.

FOR YOUR ADMISSION:
1. Course choice: You need to first decide upon what you wish to study in Canada. These courses must be related with your previous academic experience. They should not be easily available in your home country. 

To find an institution that offers your program, simply google “Program + province”, Example MSc Biomedical Sciences Manitoba”. You will find institutions in a province offering your program.

Before settling for an institution, ensure it is Postgraduate work permit (PGWP) eligible. A PGWP is your key to staying back in Canada upon graduation. Click here to confirm your institution.

2. Academic credentials: If you wish to study a Master’s degree, or a postgraduate certificate/diploma program, you would need your academic transcript. If you are applying to study a Bachelor’s program, you will only need your High school certificate.

(A) For applicants with low GPA/Diploma/HND Holders: If you are a BSC holder, some Canadian institutions do evaluate the last 2 years of your academic transcript, meaning you could stand a chance for Masters even with a 2nd class lower degree. However, there is no way to guess which universities they are, here are some institutions to try: University of Canada west, Crandall university, University of New Brunswick, Memorial University, Thompson University, University of Prince Edward Island. Should your GPA be too low, or you have an HND/Diploma, you should consider applying for a Postgraduate certificate/Postgraduate diploma program.

(B) For Bachelor program applicants who desire institutions that accept GCE/NECO results, click here

3. International passport: Your international passport must be valid for at least 2 years when you begin your application. Have plans to renew it ASAP.

4. Passport photograph in white background: Take a passport photo in white background. Have a softcopy for future use.

5. Resume: This should contain your contact information, work experience and academic experience. Click here if you desire assistance with revamping your resume + LinkedIn + Indeed into Canadian format.

6. Statement of purpose: This document shows your study intent. Most institutions don’t require SOPs, but it is very important to add one to your study permit (visa) application. A good SOP should talk about who you are, your academic and work experience, why you want to study in Canada, why you are choosing the institution and your plans after school (most important). Click here to get a free SOP sample.

7. English test: Most Canadian institutions usually waive this if you were taught in English language or are from an English-speaking country. But if you are a Nigerian, there is a special platform for Nigerians called Nigerian student Express (NSE). NSE is a platform you use to apply for your study permit (immediately after admission). IELTS is mandatory under the NSE platform, whether or not it was required for your admission.

An optimum IELTS score for NSE is:

For NSE, you can choose to write IELTS General or IELTS Academic (We recommend IELTS General in this case). It costs up to 260 Canadian dollars to schedule an IELTS Test. Click here to schedule an IELTS test in your home country. We highly recommend that you prepare for at least a month before sitting for an IELTS test.

Final note: If you think IELTS is too much of a hassle, then you can opt out of the Nigerian Student Express and focus on the regular study permit application. Please remember that the regular study permit application can be extremely slow.

8. For research programs: Most research-based MSc programs would require you have a Supervisor from the institution you are applying to + Your Bachelor thesis (your project report) + Research proposal + 1-2 Academic references. Click here to use this simple guide on how to reach out to a research supervisor.

AFTER YOUR ADMISSION IS OUT (YOUR VISA REQUIREMENTS):
1. Tuition + Living cost: Most institutions in Canada would require that you pay your tuition deposit immediately your admission is out. Some don’t. But we highly recommend having your tuition ahead of time.

(A) Average tuition: From 13,000 CAD to 34,000 CAD per year for regular programs. Specialized programs like MBA, Pharmacy, Drug discovery may cost more. Some Canadian institutions allow installmental tuition payment. They are: University of  Calgary (click here), University of Victoria (click here), University of Manitoba (click here), Wilfrid Laurier University (click here), McGill University (click here), University of Northern British Columbia (click here), Queens University (click here), Tyndale University (click here).

(B) Living cost: In addition to tuition fees, you must also show proof of living cost for Canada. This must be in your bank statement. The living cost for Canada is on IRCC’s website. Canada usually requires a 6month bank statement for most countries. If you belong to an SDS Country, you can use a Guaranteed Investment Certificate in place of a Bank statement.

(C) If you are a Nigerian and applying to study in Canada through the Nigerian Student Express (NSE), you don’t need to scratch your head about the amount to show in your bank statement. IRCC has benchmarked the standard amount for an international student from Nigeria to be 30,000 CAD (Covering tuition + Living cost). Should you wish to add any family member to your application, use this IRCC guide to know what to add to your account per family member.

(D) Lacking funds to study: You can try (i) Crowdfunding (ii) Loans from reputable agencies in your home country (iii) Scholarships: Most institutions offer entrance-based scholarships in form of tuition discounts. You could also explore general scholarship websites or scholarships from the Government, Oil firms, Multinational organizations and Philanthropists in your home country.

2. Ties to your home country: You need to show ties to your home country. This can be in form of landed properties in your name + registered business in your name + letter of employment + unaccompanying immediate family members (spouse and/or kids). If you have a close relative ready to gift you land, then contact your lawyer to process a “Gift deed” or “Deed of assignment” for you.

If you must use a sponsor, it has to be your parent (if you are single) or your spouse (if you are married), and the sponsor must provide the ties listed above. Anyone outside this would reduce your approval chances.

3. Medical examination: You would need to undergo a medical examination in one of the IRCC-approved medical centers in your home country. If you have accompanying family members, they must undergo the medical examination as well. It’s advisable to book ahead of time, even during your admission process. We call this “upfront medicals”. You will be required to pay up to 140 CAD for your medical examination. Check this list for approved medical centers in your country.

4. Online study permit application portal: IRCC has launched a new portal for Study permits and Visit visas. It is much faster and doesn’t require the hassle of immigration forms. Click here to use the new portal. During registration, you may require an invite code. Click here to get an invite code.

5. Biometrics: Once you submit your study permit application online, in a few days-weeks, you will receive an email instruction from IRCC to go do your biometrics (fingerprint). Biometrics is mandatory if your fingerprints have not been captured for any Canadian application within the last 10years.
You would need to pay the sum of 85 CAD before or at the biometrics center when the time comes. Biometrics costs 170 CAD per family.

6. Travel history: Your approval chances are high if you have traveled to any developed country in the past, such as to Visiting the USA, Canada, The UK or Any Schengen country, studied in Russia or Worked in Dubai for several years. Any other travel experience outside these would not hold much weight. We have seen folks get approval without travel history (usually because they have solid finances + home ties), but we always recommend having it.

7. Getting an Approval: Once your biometrics and all other process have been completed, ensure to monitor your email and online portal for updates. Should your study permit be approved, you will receive a Passport Request (PPR) email with instructions on where to send your passport for a visa stamp. With that, welcome to Canada!

HIGHLIGHT OF WHAT YOU WOULD SPEND: