Planning to study abroad in Canada? Here are 5 things for your to-do list!

Have you planned to study abroad in Canada? There are multiple historic universities in Canada where you can enroll in various courses and earn your degree. Whether you are looking for a postgraduate degree, planning on taking up a diploma course, or just a UG program, these universities and colleges have all the facilities.

But before studying in Canada, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind, so let's review the checklist before studying in Canada.

Top 5 to-do list before you study abroad in Canada

Since you are planning to study abroad in Canada, keep the following pointers in mind to avoid any delays in your application –

Apply for a visa A passport, along with your visa, is your way of travelling and entering a country. So, it is essential to keep an updated passport, and since it is difficult to get it done while staying in another nation, it is a wise decision to renew it before it expires because it may take some time. Unless the duration of your overseas education in Canada is more than 6 months, you do not need a study permit, but if you are going to plan on taking a degree course in Canada, you have to get permission from the nation. The length of the study permit is determined by the length of your course and an additional 90 days. Suppose you are pursuing an MBA in Canada, and your course will end on September 2024, then you will get an additional 90 days to stay in this country. Citizens of some regions of the world, including India, China, the Philippines and Pakistan, might be eligible for a 'Student Direct Stream' student visa (SDS). Students must demonstrate that they've paid their first year of school fees and placed their 'Guaranteed Investment Certificate' (GIC) of CAD10,000 in a local savings account. A study visa differs from a regular visa, and a visitor visa or electronic travel authorisation may also be required. Your study permit should include one.

Lock in student accommodation Getting your accommodation sorted out is essential before you travel to study abroad in Canada. There are two options — University-managed accommodation, or you can rent an apartment or a place, and a college or university may provide dormitories or townhouses to students. In addition, there is another option that you may stay with your friends in a rented place. It would be better to stay in a university hostel as they can provide you with the safety and security you need as an international student.

Financial budgeting What are your plans for moving and then getting money? When you plan to study abroad in Canada, you must show that you can access CAD 10,000 per year, excluding tuition costs. You can apply for a loan only if you are eligible. The basic eligibility criteria for taking an educational loan in Canada is that you have to be a permanent resident of the country.

Therefore, the ideal thing to do here is to get these arrangements done in your home country. You need to take into consideration all the costs of studying in Canada, including tuition fees, accommodation costs, travelling, food and other miscellaneous expenses. Once you have the budget in place, you can figure out the finances to reduce any chances of facing a financial crunch abroad.

Health insurance While you are planning to study at a college, be it the cheapest college in Canada or a historical one, you have to get a proper health insurance policy. In Canada, health insurance is as vital as the visa to stay there. You need to take all your medication information and prescriptions with you so that in case of an emergency, you can use them as a reference. Your immunisation record must be required as well. In addition, this suggests that the emergency drugs have to be put in your handbag because if there is a delay in the baggage section, at least you can consume it if you are unwell. It would be a great option for you to chat with your health consultant before departure. Canada is famous for its ‘public funded’ healthcare system. Even though Canadian residents get free medication, international students have to get their own health insurance policies. Don't worry about healthcare issues, as educational institutions will surely help you if you face any problems. Having said that, a health insurance policy by your side will safeguard your financial interests and ensure you get the best possible treatment.

Weigh up travel insurance Travel insurance can be great if you are applying to study abroad in Canada, and the policy will cover all your losses during the journey. The travel insurance policy can avoid all types of unwanted situations that can occur on a trip. It includes travel delays, airline delays, missed departures, lost baggers and so on. With adequate travel insurance by your side, you need not worry about these and go to Canada peacefully.

Parting thoughts These are some highlights of what you need to do when you plan to study abroad in Canada. However, this is not all; apart from these, you must keep the documentation in order, have the university or college admission letter, etc. Together, these will ensure that you have a smooth experience. With all being said, this is a long and tedious process. So, approaching a study in Canada consultant like Azent is essential. The professionals here will help you through this process and guide you through the visa interview process. They will also help you with college admission so that you can get a chance to study what you want.