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Countries · Student guide

Canada: guide to moving and studying

A practical guide for international students in Canada: study permits, housing, health care, work, finance, and daily life, with provincial differences and Québec's distinct pathway made explicit.

Updated on 22 Aug 2026

Cost of living
High

Typical spending band for a student

Language
English / French

Main language to handle day to day

Currency
CAD

Local currency for banking and payments

Entry
Visa for all

Required with an EU passport too; check exemptions for short courses

The 6 guides

Everything about Canada, in 6 guides

One guide for each concrete need, from visas to housing: start with the one you need now.

Start here

What to do first for Canada

Resolve the decisions that can block your move before comparing cities or reading every detail.

Check entry, visa, and document rules Start with eligibility, deadlines, and official procedures for your situation. Check the lease and upfront housing costs Understand deposits, guarantees, contracts, and student housing before paying. Arrange healthcare before arrival Confirm insurance, enrollment rules, and where to get help once you arrive.

Your checklist

Before departure and after arrival in Canada

Use this as an order of work, then open the linked guide before acting on a legal or financial requirement.

  1. Save your admission letter, IRCC documents and local address both digitally and offline
  2. Apply for or schedule your SIN with Service Canada if you are eligible to work
  3. Open a Canadian account and keep the terms for the newcomer or student banking package you choose
  4. Confirm provincial health coverage or bridge private insurance before relying on medical services
  5. Check the lease, deposit rules and move-in inspection evidence before paying rent
  6. Activate a Canadian SIM/eSIM and local payment methods for transit and services
  7. Store emergency contacts, consulate details, campus international office contacts and nearby clinic information
Move checklist Plan documents and deadlines step by step

Plan your money

Canada: cost of living, rent, and monthly budget

Start with housing, food, transport, healthcare, and setup costs. Treat estimates as planning ranges and verify local prices before committing.

Open the cost and money guide Use the free cost-of-living calculator

Cities and neighborhoods

Where to live in Canada: student cities and costs

Neighborhoods, rent, universities, transport and safety: everything you need to choose where to move.

Toronto
  • from 950 EURroom/month
  • 4universities

Toronto is Canada's largest metropolis and the country's main economic hub: finance, tech, media, healthcare, universities and a very international cultural scene. It's a strong choice for students and workers who want a broad market, everyday English, and car-free urban connections. The flip side is the cost of housing: rooms and studios are among the most expensive in Canada and competition is high near the metro, campus and downtown. The quality of life is high, but it is better to choose the neighborhood based on the TTC/GO line, real commute times and budget.

Open city guideVancouver
  • from 1,150 EURroom/month
  • 4universities

Vancouver is one of the most desired Canadian cities for quality of life, nature, mild climate compared to the rest of Canada, universities and work in tech, film, tourism, port logistics and services. It is very international and you can live well without a car if your home and work/study are close to SkyTrain, SeaBus or frequent bus lines. The main limitation is the cost of the house: rooms, studios and apartments are among the most expensive in Canada, with strong competition near UBC, Downtown, Kitsilano and along the SkyTrain lines. It is ideal for those who accept a high budget in exchange for the outdoors, good perceived safety and access to the ocean, mountains and a skilled job market.

Open city guideMontréal
  • from 700 EURroom/month
  • 5universities

Montréal is Canada's large French-speaking metropolis: more accessible than Toronto and Vancouver, very strong for international students, creatives, gaming, AI, research, aerospace and services. The city combines major campuses, walkable neighborhoods, reliable metro, festivals, food and one of the best cultural scenes in North America. The main compromise is linguistic and climatic: French is often essential for work, bureaucracy and integration, while winters are long and cold. For those who accept everyday bilingualism, it offers one of the best value for money among large Canadian cities.

Open city guide

Local context

Canada: what really changes

Use the destination-specific notes to understand trade-offs, common mistakes, and local differences.

Overview

Canada rewards province-by-province planning. Visas and study permits sit with IRCC, the SIN is handled by Service Canada, while health care and renting rules vary across Ontario, British Columbia, Québec and other jurisdictions. Quality of life is strong, but distance, weather and housing require a practical buffer.

What really changes here

  • Study and work conditions should be checked on IRCC pages, not through blogs or informal agents
  • The Social Insurance Number is needed for work, payroll and tax records, and is issued through Service Canada
  • Public health coverage is provincial or territorial: health cards, eligibility and waiting periods depend on where you live
  • Renting is governed by provincial rules: leases, deposits, rent increases and evictions are not uniform across Canada
  • Banking and credit matter early: local account, debit card, credit history and tax documents should be set up carefully
  • English or French changes daily life: Québec needs specific attention to language, services and local rules

Ideal if…

  • Students admitted to a Designated Learning Institution and ready to follow the IRCC checklist
  • People looking for a bilingual, multicultural market in services, tech, research or health-related fields
  • Anyone willing to choose a province and city based on housing, climate and transport access
  • Organized newcomers who keep permits, deadlines, health coverage and proof of funds under control

Harder if…

  • You arrive without verified temporary housing or without a plan for provincial health coverage
  • You expect federal rules to be identical for rent, health care, schooling and driving
  • You want to rely only on foreign accounts and cards without building Canadian credit history
  • You underestimate winter, suburban distances and the gap between large cities and smaller communities
Mistakes to avoid
  • Paying rent or a deposit without a lease, receipt and verification of the landlord or property manager
  • Confusing a study permit, eTA/TRV, work authorization and the conditions printed on an IRCC document
  • Leaving SIN, banking and CRA records until the first paycheque or first tax filing
  • Assuming a provincial health card immediately covers every service or every province in the same way

Verification

Official sources and last update

Legal and administrative details are kept in the relevant guide so they are not copied out of context.

Where to verify the information

Each topic guide links to the competent official authorities. Always check the rule that applies to your citizenship, residence, purpose, and length of stay.

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