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

Once your Study Permit is approved, you will automatically receive a visa.

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

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

Visit: Free Language Proficiency Tests

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:

    1. Select Planning to study at ILAC
    2. Are you already registered: NO
    3. 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::

  1. Are you registered as a BLI student? No
  2. Campus: BLI Online
  3. Have you been in touch with any BLI representative? Yes
  4. 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:

  1. Study location: Online Canada Eastern Time
  2. Are you already registered at ILSC: No
  3. Program of Interest: University Pathway
  4. 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

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

When considering your budget, don’t forget the following:

  • The average salary in Canada is over C$50,000 per year, slightly below that of the U.S.
  • This salary is 3 to 8 times higher than the average salary in countries like Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador
  • The return on your investment, if you become a resident, will be highly positive, as even your children will benefit from moving to this country.
  • 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

  • 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.

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:

Study and Work

  • 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.

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

Studies for Minors

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.