Student Visa

Schools that teach students up to the grade 12 level are known as primary and secondary schools. Primary usually means grades 1-8 and secondary usually means grades 9-12.

All primary and secondary schools in Canada can enrol international students.

There are special rules for minor children studying in Canada.

Post-secondary schools are:

• colleges
• universities
• private career colleges and
• vocational and technical schools

Each post-secondary school has its own set of rules on how to apply, including the level of English or French you need to be accepted.

Get more information on post-secondary schools:

• Universities Canada – profiles of Canadian universities, a large study programs database and help to plan your university education
• Colleges and Institutes Canada – profiles of colleges and institutes
• Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials – information on getting your past education assessed against Canadian standards
• National Association of Career Colleges – find out about schools that teach trades and vocations

Also visit EduCanada to get detailed profiles, requirements, application and admission information for programs of study at Canadian CEGEPs, vocational schools, colleges and universities.

Important: Each province and territory in Canada is responsible for designating schools at the post-secondary level that may enroll international students. The designated learning institution list includes universities, colleges, CEGEPs, vocational schools and private career colleges and language schools. If you apply for a study permit and your letter of acceptance is from an institution that is not designated for international students, your application will be refused.

Provincial governments do not necessarily regulate private schools. Make sure that the private school you apply to meets provincial education requirements and is included on the designated learning institution list.

Many schools in Canada teach English or French as a second language. For more information about private language programs, contact Languages Canada.

There are many ways to study French across Canada.

• French-language education in Canada has information on schools and institutions that offer courses in French.
• The Association des universités de la francophonie canadienne has information on university programs in French, English, or both.

Provinces and territories approve (or “designate”) schools that can enrol international students. These schools are known as designated learning institutions (DLI).  All primary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs.