Planning Your Move to Canada: A Guide for International Students

A Guide for International Students

Moving to Canada as an international student involves more than choosing a school and booking a flight. There are documents to gather, applications to complete, and practical arrangements to make before you arrive.

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Preparing in advance can help make your transition smoother and allow you to focus on your studies once classes begin. This checklist outlines eight important steps to consider before leaving for Canada.

1. Accept Your Offer of Admission

Before making any other plans, confirm your place at a Canadian school. International students typically need a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) before they can apply for a study permit.

Keep a copy of your acceptance letter in a safe place. You may need it during the study permit process and when preparing for your arrival in Canada.

Apply for a Canadian Study Permit

A study permit is required for most international students who plan to study in Canada for more than six months. After receiving your letter of acceptance, review the eligibility requirements and begin preparing your application.

You may be asked to provide information about your studies, finances, and identity as part of the application process. Depending on your circumstances, additional supporting documents may also be required.

Once you have completed your application and assembled the required information, you may submit your study permit application online. Applying as early as possible allows sufficient time for processing before your departure date.

Create a Travel and Document Checklist

Before leaving for Canada, take time to organize the documents you may need for your journey, arrival, and first weeks as a student. Keeping important records together and easily accessible can help make your transition smoother.

Your checklist may include:

A valid letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
A valid passport or travel document
Study permit approval documents
Confirmation of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), if applicable
Proof of funds and other financial records
Health insurance information
Vaccination records or other medical documents, if required

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Consider keeping both paper and digital copies of important documents. Secure electronic copies stored online or on a portable device may be useful if documents are lost or misplaced while travelling. Be cautious of immigration, housing, or banking scams and only provide personal information through trusted and verified sources.

Understand Your Health Insurance Options

Health insurance is an important part of preparing for student life in Canada. Before you arrive, find out what type of coverage is available in the province or territory where you will be studying.

Coverage for international students varies across Canada. In some provinces, international students may be eligible for public health insurance. In others, students may need to obtain private coverage or enroll in a health plan offered through their school.

Taking time to understand your coverage before arriving may help you avoid unexpected medical costs and ensure you have access to healthcare services when needed.

Explore Your Housing Options

Finding a place to live is an important part of preparing for student life in Canada. Depending on your school and budget, you may choose to live in a student residence, a shared apartment, or a private rental.

As you compare options, consider factors such as cost, location, transportation, and proximity to your campus. Taking time to research housing before you arrive can help make your transition smoother and allow you to settle in more quickly.

Plan Your Finances Before You Arrive

Creating a financial plan before leaving for Canada will help you better understand the costs associated with studying abroad. In addition to tuition, consider expenses such as housing, transportation, food, books, and personal spending.

Some students choose to set aside funds in a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) before arriving in Canada. Depending on immigration requirements applicable to your situation, a GIC may be one way students choose to demonstrate available funds.

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Open a Canadian Bank Account

Having a Canadian bank account may make it easier to manage day-to-day expenses once you arrive. Most financial institutions, including TD, offer accounts designed specifically for students.

When comparing banking options for students, consider factors such as monthly fees, transaction limits, digital banking services, and access to ATMs. Some banks also offer specialized products and services for international students to help them get started in Canada.

Learn About Everyday Life in Canada

Before your departure, take some time to learn about the community where you will be living and studying. Understanding local transportation, weather, cultural norms, and everyday services can help you feel more prepared when you arrive.

You may also find it helpful to explore resources provided by your school, attend pre-arrival sessions, or connect with current students who can share their experiences. A little preparation before departure may make adapting to life in Canada easier.

Preparing for your studies before arriving in Canada may help make your transition smoother. By taking care of important tasks in advance, you may be able to focus more fully on your academic goals and enjoy a more confident start to student life in Canada.

Why Choose TD?

More than 160 years of helping Canadians:

TD has a proud history of delivering financial solutions to Canadians for more than 160 years. TD also brings a century of experience helping newcomers navigate the unique challenges of the Canadian banking system.

With over a thousand branches, and the ability to also serve you in more than 80 different languages, TD has become one of the largest and most trusted banks in Canada, now serving 16 million Canadians.

TD offers online support and resources of interest to newcomers on topics such as banking basics, moving to Canada, credit score essentials, and more. TD is open longer hours for your convenience and has thousands of ATMs across Canada to help you take care of your everyday banking needs quickly and easily.

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Learn more about TD International Student Banking Package today.

Book an appointment to talk with a TD Personal Banker about the TD International Student Banking Package. You can book online right away or visit the TD website to learn more.

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