Frequently Asked Questions
These are the sections where we’ve organized some of the most frequently asked questions. Click on the topic that interests you.
-
Admission Requirements
-
Study Permit and Visa Requirements
-
Deadlines
-
Languages
-
English or French Language Proficiency Assessment
-
Educational Offerings Through VivaCanada
-
Enrollment Process
-
Costs
-
Scholarships and Financial Aid
-
Study & Work
-
Immigration
-
Coming With Family or Spouse
-
Studies for Minors
-
VivaCanada Services
Admission Requirements
- Passport
- English or French language placement test, completed within the past 2 years, or, if approved by the educational institution, admission to an approved English program
- University Degree or Diploma (1 to 3 years):
- Certificate and diploma equivalent to high school (secondary school, grade 11 or grade 12, depending on your country) for University Degree
- Postgraduate Studies:
- University degree and academic certificate. Some postgraduate programs accept 2 or 3 year technical degrees and others require 4 year University degrees.
- Master’s:
- University degree and academic certificate. In most cases, a 4 year university degree is required. In exceptional cases, 2 or 3 year degrees are accepted.
- If you are a mature student (it has been 6 or more years since you graduated), you may be required to provide: a letter of intention, CV/resume, and letters from previous employers.
- Minors:
- If you are under 17 years old, you will need a custodian, this is a resident of Canada who is relatively close to you. Some language academies have this service.
- It will depend on the level of study you are pursuing and the educational institution. For university degrees or Master’s programs, the minimum required level will typically be ‘intermediate-high’ or ‘advanced’ (B2 or C1 on the CEFR scale).
- If you’re unsure of your language proficiency level (in English or French), VivaCanada can assist you in taking a test to assess it
- Each institution and program will have different requirements, which can be, grade average of previous studies, or grade average of the last credits or terms.
- Generally for university degrees, 50% or more is expected.
- For postgraduate degrees and Master’s degrees, 75% is typically expected.
- If the student has failed one or more courses, many institutions will reject the student.
- VivaCanada can assess your case with respect to the institution of your choice and also help you find an institution that will admit you based on your grades.
Study Permit & Visa Requirements
Canada requires that most countries have a visa or study permit to enter and/or study in Canada if the duration of studies is expected to be 6 months or more. This questionnaire on the official Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website will help you better determine your visa requirements: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/study-permit-tool.html
Once your Study Permit is approved, you will automatically receive a visa.
For studies with a length of 6 or more months, you will need a study permit:
- Identity documents and forms, such as your passport and any additional required documents
- Letter of Acceptance from the institution where you will study; that is, you must be accepted by the school
- Attestation Letter, processed after you have paid or made the deposits indicated by the school
- You will need to prove sufficient funds, purpose, and others
- Find out what you need based on your situation on the official government website here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html#financial-reqs
Deadlines
It will depend on the program and institution, as well as whether you’re already in Canada with a study permit. If you are outside of Canada and need a study permit, these are the typical timelines before classes start.
- Master’s: 12-9 months
- University degrees, diplomas, postgraduate degrees: 10-8 months
- High school: 8-6 months
- Language classes: 1 month
The study permit process can take a few months, depending partly on the country applying for the permit. If you are already in Canada, wait times are shorter, as you will have already provided your biometric information and fingerprints, among other details.
To find out how long it will take to process your study permit, visit the official government website here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
Languages
Depends on the program and institution of choice.
If you are pursuing studies beyond High School, a minimum of B2 level will be required. For programs that demand higher language proficiency or for advanced studies, a C1 level may be required
- Free Language Proficiency Tests are available, allowing you to take a short 30-minute test to estimate your language proficiency level. Contact us for more details
- If you’re unsure about your proficiency level, the first step is to take the Free Language Proficiency Test.
- You’ll want to check which language proficiency tests are accepted by your educational institution. Typically, institutions accept IELTS and TOEFL
Yes. There are programs in French. Mainly where French is the dominant language, such as in Quebec.
Assessing your English or French language proficiency score
All language academies we represent have the following:
- Free 30-45 minute test to asses your English language proficiency test, sometimes French test is offered.
- By applying through VivaCanada, as official representatives, if we process your application, you may receive better pricing than applying directly to the institution.
- Read the instructions below to take a free test and send us a copy of your results. We’ll help you determine your language proficiency level and estimate how long you might need to study, if necessary.
Note: While these tests are not officially accepted by educational institutions, they help us assess your current language proficiency and determine whether you’ll need to improve your skills—and approximately how long that might take.
Instructions to take ILAC’s free English test:
-
- Select Planning to study at ILAC
- Are you already registered: NO
- ILAC Agent’s Email Address: our email address (the one we use to get in contact with you).
Note: you will not be able to receive discounted pricing for representatives if you do not put in our information.
Access the test here: https://www.ilac.com/online-test/
To take the English test with BLI, use the following answers to their questions::
- Are you registered as a BLI student? No
- Campus: BLI Online
- Have you been in touch with any BLI representative? Yes
- Name of Agency or BLI representative (leave empty if you haven’t been in touch with anyone)?: VivaCanada
If asked for our email, use the one we use to get in contact with you.
Note: you will not be able to receive discounted pricing for representatives if you do not give our information.
Take the test here: https://bli.ca/english-placement-test/
To take the English or French test at ILSC, use the following answers:
- Study location: Online Canada Eastern Time
- Are you already registered at ILSC: No
- Program of Interest: University Pathway
- Are you currently working with an education agent/agency?: Yes
If asked for our company name, as authorized representatives of ILSC, please use VivaCanada.
If they ask for our email, use the one we used to contact you.
Note: if you do not give our information, we won’t be able to secure the representative discounts.
The test can be taken at: https://www.ilsc.com/free-online-english-test-2
Educational Offerings Through VivaCanada
There are thousands of programs available. Sorted by level, there are:
- Secondary Education, or High School
- Postsecondary Education:
- Diplomas (1 – 3 year technical degrees)
- University degrees (3 – 4 years)
- Postgraduate certificates
- Master’s degrees
- Languages (English or French)
- In-person
- Online
- Summer or winter camps
We will help you find the right program
The best program for you should be something you would like but also something in line with your education, plans and budget.
If you want to take a look and browse most of the possible programs available through VivaCanada, you can use this
The ideal program is one that fits within your budget and supports your career plans in Canada or your home country.
Unless you are changing careers or already have a master’s degree, it is generally better to pursue a level higher than what you already have, as this will show a clear direction when applying for jobs.
If you’re thinking about studying abroad, it’s important to understand the differences between undergraduate and graduate studies, as the terms can vary depending on the country.
- Undergraduate refers to university-level studies pursued after completing secondary education. In most Latin American countries, this is equivalent to earning a licenciatura or engineering degree.
- It lasts between 3 to 5 years, depending on the program and the country.
- Upon completion, you earn a bachelor’s degree.
- It is the first level of higher education and is required to pursue graduate studies.
- Example: If you studied a Licenciatura in Business Administration or Engineering in Systems in your country, in Canada or the U.S. this would be called a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.
Graduate/Postgraduate Studies. In most cases, these require a university degree or a technical diploma.
Note: In Canada and the U.S., “college diplomas” and “postgraduate certificates” are short, practical programs that allow you to specialize and improve your career opportunities.
Enrollment Process
- Choose a study program that fits your budget, interests, and previous education
- Apply for admission by paying the application fee requested by the school and submitting your passport, transcripts, diploma, and English test results
VivaCanada helps you find the right program, verify requirements and costs, review your documents, and submit them to the institution. In some cases, institutions waive the application fee when documents are submitted by an authorized representative like us.
If you’re ready to start your enrollment process through VivaCanada, you can begin by filling out a form to provide your contact information, the details of the program you want, and your permission to proceed: Start your application through VivaCanada
If you want to confirm details about a specific program or would like help finding a study option, you can complete a form that gives us the necessary details to begin the advising process: Request advising from VivaCanada
If you have general questions that are not answered in this section, feel free to contact us: Contact Form
You can enroll online directly with almost any school. You can also do it through VivaCanada.
Enrolling through us has the advantage that we can review whether you meet the requirements and submit your application in the way the institution expects.
It won’t cost you anything extra, and we have direct communication with the institutions. In case something is missing or incorrect, we can quickly resolve it—something that usually doesn’t happen with direct applications, where students may not even be told what was missing and simply get rejected.
Tell us which program you’re interested in, and we’ll help you understand the requirements, costs, and details.
Costs
Canada is one of the top English-speaking educational destinations and offers some of the most reasonable prices.
Your budget should consider both study-related expenses (tuition, books, etc.) and your living expenses.
In general, in most countries, with some exceptions, to obtain a study permit you must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover both your education and your living expenses for the first year.
Typically, tuition fees are listed on institutional websites as annual costs, with different amounts for domestic and international students.
In Canada, annual tuition can be as low as C$4,000 and as high as C$80,000, but the most typical amounts are:
- High School (Grades 9 to 12): starting from C$13,000 per year
- Diploma: C$13,000 to C$25,000 annually
- Bachelor’s Degree: C$20,000 to C$33,000 annually
- Postgraduate programs: C$14,000 to C$25,000 annually
- Master’s degrees: C$13,000 to C$33,000 annually
- Diploma from private institutions: C$8,500 to C$13,000 annually
- In-person language classes: C$1,300 to C$2,000 per month
- Online language classes: C$500 to C$800 per month
Living costs usually refer to housing, food, clothing, transportation, internet/phone, and incidental expenses.
The cost will be heavily influenced by your lifestyle. For example, living in a house or apartment is more expensive than living with a Canadian host family.
However, schools often provide an estimate for the city where you’ll be studying, typically ranging from C$16,500 to C$22,000.
During the study permit application process, you must demonstrate financial capacity. As of the latest update of this document, a single student must demonstrate at least C$20,635 in available funds plus return travel expenses and the first-year tuition. You can check the current official requirements on the Canadian government website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html
- Enrollment services for institutions we represent are free for students. Most schools charge an application fee, but VivaCanada does not charge students for these services.
- Immigration services: there are different levels of fees for immigration consultants, starting from C$50 consultations and up.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- VivaCanada does not offer scholarships directly.
- Many educational institutions in Canada offer some type of scholarship.
- Countries often have a government agency that may offer scholarships as well.
- It is rare to find scholarships that cover all tuition and living expenses. Even rarer for one country to offer full scholarships to students from another.
- Scholarships can be classified into:
- Automatic entrance scholarships (granted to all) or merit-based (granted to top-performing students)
- Other scholarships offered once you’ve been accepted or once you’ve started your studies
- If you don’t have most of the required funds, you can consider a student loan. This is advantageous as it helps students begin their studies while transitioning into employment to repay the loan. See:
- Entrance scholarships do not require a separate application. All students accepted by the institution are automatically evaluated for them. Your letter of acceptance will indicate the scholarship and its value.
- Notable scholarships for tuition and value include those at Lambton College: https://vivacanada.ca/lambton-college/becas/
- For other scholarships schools may offer, they are generally applied for after acceptance and tuition payment, and in some cases after completing your first semester.
- It’s estimated that there are more than 8,000 scholarships in Canada. But for international students, the amounts typically only cover part of the tuition.
- If you’re pursuing a PhD, it’s worth exploring as there are many options, but if you only have a high school diploma, options are limited.
- Each scholarship will specify what it includes, but generally only a portion of tuition is covered; all other expenses must be covered by the student.
No, but you can look for an education loan in your home country.
Students residing in Colombia benefit from strong government support. A significant number of Colombian citizens study abroad through this option.
- If you’re a Colombian student, you should explore financing programs that may suit your case: ICETEX: educational loans, scholarships, funds – ICETEX
There is financing available for any type of study abroad:
- Airfare
- Accommodation
- Tuition
Requirements:
- Be a Mexican citizen or permanent resident of Mexico
- Letter of acceptance from the academic institution (we help with this)
- Have a co-signer (25–69 years old)
- Have a good credit history or no credit history at all
Visit support for studies through a loan for residents of Mexico
International students with good employment prospects can apply for loans from international institutions.
Loans generally work well for master’s degrees, as they cannot extend beyond 2 years.
Financial institutions will assess the employability of the applicant, who must have already been accepted into a program. VivaCanada helps with enrollment and connects students with financial institutions.
Keep in mind that good grades are essential for a master’s degree. Some institutions do not accept grades of 7/10 or lower.
Most scholarships are small, when available—typically around C$500.
The most noteworthy ones are those that, due to their size or how they are awarded, give students confidence. Each one has its strengths:
- For postgraduate studies and diplomas, up to C$4,000, covering 22% of the first-year tuition: Scholarships granted upon acceptance to Lambton College
- For international students graduating from High School with excellent grades and planning to study a science degree. Up to 30%: Vantage College
Study and Work
- If your study program is post-secondary (programs taken after high school), then YES.
- You can work part-time during study periods and full-time during academic breaks.
- Language studies are not considered post-secondary education. In that case, the answer is NO.
- Official information is here: Work off campus as an international student – Canada.ca
- Your post-secondary program may qualify you for an open work permit after graduation, known as a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). These are the requirements: Post-graduation work permit eligibility
- No, VivaCanada does not offer jobs, nor do educational institutions.
- However, it’s important to remember that one of the main reasons to study is to prepare students for paid work. This means that institutions always offer some kind of support, advice, job fairs, etc., to help facilitate this step.
- University degrees, master’s, or doctoral programs usually make students eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Technical diplomas or postgraduate certificates are only eligible if studied in certain fields.
- Here is the list of fields that allow a diploma or postgraduate program to be eligible for PGWP: Work in Canada after you graduate: Who can apply – Canada.ca
- Official information: Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility requirements – Canada.ca
Immigration
- There are several pathways. Canada is a highly sought-after destination, with many people wanting to enjoy its high quality of life, natural resources, safety, and democracy. For this reason, there is a selection process.
- In general, more education, better language skills, and higher employability will open more opportunities.
- It is estimated that over 80% of new permanent residents in Canada first came as international students.
Coming to Study with Family or Spouse
- Master’s or doctoral studies, and diplomas or postgraduate programs in select professions, may allow the student’s spouse or partner to be eligible for a work permit while the student studies.
- Official information: Changes to open work permits for family members of temporary residents
Studies for Minors
If you are a minor (16 years old or younger), it will be necessary to have a responsible person (Guardian) in Canada.
Official information: Studying in Canada as a minor – Canada.ca
VivaCanada and Its Services
- VivaCanada represents institutions in Canada and other countries:
- 70% of universities, colleges, and academies in Canada
- 300+ universities in the U.S.
- Select universities in Australia and the United Kingdom
- Immigration consultants
- Language academies
- As representatives, our service is to provide you with information so you can choose the appropriate study program:
- We check that you meet the requirements of the program you want to study
- We submit your application to the institutions and clarify any questions between the student and the institution
- In some cases, institutions waive the application fee when the documents are submitted through VivaCanada
- Language academies offer reduced prices for our students
- Some immigration consultants also offer special rates through us
VivaCanada is a Canadian corporation that represents educational institutions in Canada and other countries.
VivaCanada’s role is to assist interested students and provide the necessary information. We submit your application on your behalf and serve as the communication bridge between both parties.
- We help you decide what to study
- We help you understand the requirements and details of the program
- We review your documents, prepare your application, and submit it
- We advise you if you need immigration services and connect you with the appropriate expert
Yes, through our immigration consultants.
In addition to Canada, where we cover approximately 70% of available study programs, we also have agreements with 300+ universities in the U.S., and select universities in Australia and the United Kingdom.