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A minor student who will study for 6 months or longer without a parent must get a study permit before entering Canada. Ridley College has announced 1 December 2026 as the first review date for boarding applicants. Upper Canada College also accepts Year 9 applications until 1 December and announces its decisions on 26 February 2027.
In Canada, each university sets its own admission requirements. Applications to universities in Ontario go through the OUAC portal, and the form used for the University of Toronto is OUAC 105. For Fall 2027, the application deadline at the University of Toronto, UBC and McGill is 15 January 2027. Toronto recommends applying by 7 November 2026 for the first review rounds.
Canada limits the number of new international students. The target for 2026 is 155,000 people. This is why most study permit applications ask for a provincial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), which shows that a place has been set aside in the quota. Students accepted to a graduate degree program at public institutions are exempt from this letter. A student going to Quebec first gets a CAQ from the province.
While classes are in session, you can work up to 24 hours a week off campus. This limit went up from 20 to 24 hours on 15 November 2024. There is no hour limit during planned school breaks such as summer and winter holidays.
Eligible graduates can get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once. This work permit lasts up to three years.
The universities are the country's top three schools according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Examples from current fees for international students, as published on the schools' own pages.
Trent University, Trent International estimate, Peterborough (Ontario), 2027/28
For study permit applications made on or after 1 September 2026, a single person who will study outside Quebec must show at least 23,448 CAD for living costs. First-year tuition and travel costs are not included in this amount and are shown separately.
A month-by-month plan for 2027 entry. Official date Our suggestion
Upper Canada College open house days (Open House)
Last day of first review for Ridley College boarding applicants; last day for Upper Canada College Year 9 applications
St. George's School (Vancouver) standard application review. The school recommends completing the SSAT before 1 February 2027
Upper Canada College announces admission decisions
Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646): the custodian gets it notarized in Canada and the parents get it notarized in Türkiye
Study permit application. Ridley College recommends applying as early as possible because processing takes a long time
Brentwood College School: if the study permit is refused and the school is told before this date, the fees are refunded in full
School year starts and arrival in Canada
Choose the camp, city, accommodation type and number of weeks
Register and pay the non-refundable 350 CAD deposit (ILSC)
Apply for a visitor visa (TRV). Türkiye is on Canada's list of countries that need a visa
Pay the remaining balance at least 2 weeks before the first day of classes (ILSC)
First start date of the ILSC Vancouver (UBC residence) and Toronto homestay camps
First start date of the ILSC Montréal McGill residence camp
The Vancouver and Toronto camps close (the Montréal McGill camp closes on 1 August)
List of schools and programs. Plan your IELTS or TOEFL exam date
Recommended application date for the University of Toronto first review rounds (OUAC 105)
Last day for University of Toronto, UBC (Vancouver) and McGill bachelor's applications
University of Toronto document deadline (most programs); Waterloo application deadline for non-engineering programs
University of Toronto residence application deadline. It is made without waiting for the admission decision
After admission, contact the school about the provincial attestation letter (PAL/TAL)
Study permit application: show at least 23,448 CAD for living costs, on top of first-year tuition and travel costs
Arrival in Canada, moving into residence and orientation
Program list, talking to the teachers who will write your references, language test plan
UBC Master of Library and Information Studies international application deadline (sample program)
UBC Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs international application deadline (sample program)
Deadline for transcripts and reference letters (UBC MLIS 1 February, MPPGA 2 February)
Admission decisions and confirming your place. A provincial attestation letter is not needed for a master's at a public university
Study permit application and proof of 23,448 CAD in living costs
In Canada, each university sets its own admission requirements. Some provinces, such as Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, have a shared online application portal. In Ontario, this portal is called the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).
Last checked: October 2026. Rules and amounts can change. We check the current situation together before you apply.
Many public high schools, as well as private and boarding schools, accept international students. Students who do not stay with their family can stay with a host family (homestay) or at a boarding school. Minor students at high school level (K-12) do not have to submit a provincial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) with their study permit application.
Accredited language programs are members of the national association Languages Canada. Language schools also offer seasonal events and camp programs. A study permit is not needed for language courses of six months or less.
Each university sets its own admission requirements, and applications are made by program. Some provinces, such as Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, have central application portals. In Ontario, this portal is the Ontario Universities' Application Centre.
University programs in Canada are taught in English or French, and some universities teach in both languages.
University fees in Canada change by program and school. The official source does not give a general fee range for international students.
To study in Canada, you need a study permit. Most applications ask for a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL). Graduate degree students at public institutions are exempt from this requirement.
For applications made on or after 1 September 2026, a single applicant who will study outside Quebec must show at least 23,448 CAD for living costs. First-year tuition and travel costs are not included in this amount. They are shown separately.
During the term, you can work up to 24 hours a week off campus. There is no hour limit during planned school breaks such as summer and winter holidays.
Eligible graduates can get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once, for up to three years.
University programs are taught in English or French, and some universities teach in both languages. A student admitted to a school in Quebec first applies for a CAQ from the province's immigration ministry, MIFI, and then applies for the federal study permit. Programs of six months or less are exempt from the CAQ requirement.
A student under 17 either comes with a parent or names a custodian in Canada. The custodian must be an adult who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The custodian gets the Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646) form notarized in Canada, and the parents get it notarized in Türkiye.
Brentwood College School asks new students for a 5,000 CAD registration fee and a 25,000 CAD deposit on acceptance. At Upper Canada College, the one-time registration fee for a boarding student is 7,500 CAD. If the study permit is refused and the school is told before 1 August, Brentwood refunds the tuition and registration fee in full.
It depends on the school. McGill says the tuition of an international bachelor's student admitted in 2026/27 stays fixed for the whole program. The condition is not to take a break and not to change programs. At UBC, the Master of Data Science installment is 19,156.39 CAD for 2025 entry and 19,922.64 CAD for 2026 entry.
A study permit is not needed for language courses of six months or less. But Türkiye is on Canada's list of countries that need a visa, so a student with Turkish citizenship travels with a visitor visa (TRV). Schools such as ILSC leave the visa process to the family, but they include the custodian letter for minor students in the package.
107 subjects, 17 schools. Programmes were checked on the schools’ own websites. Tap a subject to see what you study, what graduates do and the options in other countries.
Master'sOur plan changed a few times during the application. Last minute changes at the previous school put us in a difficult spot. My wife and my 3 children are here with me, too. Berkay quickly looked at the alternatives and brought us here step by step. We have now been in Vancouver for 6 months.
Steps, fees and the money you need to show for the F-1, the UK Student visa, the German national visa and the Canadian study permit (October 2026).
COUNTRIESHow applications change by province in Canada, the cap and PAL/TAL, the ended SDS, working while you study and the PGWP rules after graduation.
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