Thinking of studying in Canada? Have all the basic information you need up until you receive your study permit with our Canada Checklist Pre-Arrival Edition.

Planning for your study abroad can be overwhelming – but it does not have to be! By having a handy study abroad checklist, you can navigate through the process with the right information and tools. Gone are the days when you have to open multiple websites just to find the starting point and then your laptop crashes and times when getting an estimate of the tuition fee feels more of a treasure hunt. If you plan to study in the land of maple and picturesque views, Canada, read ahead!

• Create a Global Study Guide Student Account

If you know the field of study and level of education you want to pursue, creating a free student account with Global Study Guide will help you find a school that offers your target program. Assuming you are decided on the program and the school, you can do the application process all within the Global Study Guide platform. And maybe you ask - what if you have not made up your mind and are still exploring programs and schools? Well, you can explore and compare all your options through Global Study Guide’s growing database of schools and programs. Forget having to google search each school, each program, each tuition fee.

• Check the Entry Requirements of your Chosen Program and Start Collecting Them

Entry requirements vary across programs and schools. However, there are general requirements that are always needed when you apply:

• Official transcript of records from prior studies (if you are applying for an undergrad or a diploma program, this means your high school or secondary school transcript; for graduate programs, this means transcript of your post-secondary degree or diploma)
• Official certificate of completion of prior studies
• Certified English translation of the transcript of records and certificate of completion
• Proof of English Proficiency such as IELTS, TOEFL, iTEP exam results (minimum grades vary across programs and schools)

Again, make sure you check the specific requirements of your chosen school for your chosen program. Good thing Global Study Guide list all this information on all the Program Description page, so be sure not to skip Step 1!

• Submit your application package

Most schools will require a non-refundable application fee when you submit your application which could range from $50 to upwards of $200.

• Receive the Letter of Acceptance (LOA)

Getting a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) is a huge milestone in your study abroad process and should be celebrated with pizza or cake! And please do not forget to respond to the school and accept your offer to study immediately as some have strict deadlines.

• Renew your Passport

Your passport should be valid throughout your study in Canada and should remain valid for at least 6months after your return to your home country. If it will expire soon, or mid-way through your study, go renew it with the appropriate agency.

• Apply for Study Permit

Once you get your LOA and you have no issue with passport validity, it is time to apply for a study permit. It is recommended to submit your application for a study permit as soon as you get the LOA since it could take months to process and get approved.

The following are needed when you apply for a study permit:

• Letter of Acceptance
• Valid Passport
• Two recent passport-size photos (name and date of birth written on the back of each photo)
• Proof of Financial Support ($10,000 per year of study if you (student) will come to Canada alone)
• Letter of Explanation
• $150 Study Permit fee

When you have everything ready, head to the CIC website and apply online.

• Receive your Study Permit

Once you get your study permit, you are good to plan for your flight, plan for temporary accommodation once you landed, and ask your friends to throw you a heart-warming farewell party.

That concludes the steps for the Ultimate Study in Canada Checklist Pre-Arrival Edition. If you want to take a step further with your planning, check out the Ultimate Study in Canada Checklist Arrival Edition.

• Need more information on the Study Permit process mentioned above? Check out these resources from the Government of Canada:
• Study Permit Process
• Who can apply for a Study Permit?
• Supporting Documents for Study Permit Application

As we are in the process of building our database, your input is highly appreciated! If you can not find your target school or program on our list yet, please drop a comment on this article. Our staff member will be in contact with you and send you a link to apply.