International Students in Canada

Posted on Monday, February 20th, 2012 at 9:00 am

International students planning to study in Canada will need a study permit. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Those who will be completing a course or program in six months or less do not need a study permit during their authorized stay in Canada. Even though this permit is not a requirement for those individuals, it is recommended that international students in Canada still apply for one. Since the initial application for a study permit can only be completed at a Canadian visa office outside of Canada, any individual who decides to stay longer than their original six months will run into a few obstacles if they do not already have a permit. International students who are also foreign representatives to Canada or members of foreign armed forces are often exempt as well. To confirm if you need a study permit in these instances, it is best to contact your country’s embassy in Canada.

Unless an international student in Canada is a citizen of a visa-exempt country they will also need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada.

Medical costs incurred by foreign students are not covered by the government of Canada. Individual who will be an International student in Canada will want to prepare ahead of time by purchasing International Travel Medical Insurance or International Student Health Insurance.

The Atlas Travel series provides International Travel Medical Insurance to those traveling outside their home country. With this plan you are able to select your amount of coverage and deductible as well as add a sports rider if needed. The Student Secure plan provides International Student Health Insurance for US citizens that will be studying in Canada. Both of these plans include emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, doctor’s visits and hospital charges.

For more information on these plans, and other great insurance options for students studying in Canada, please see our Canada Student Insurance section for more information.

Posted by Bryanna Davis

Bryanna joined International Student Insurance in 2011 after returning to the United States from teaching English in China. Her interest in international education, sparked initially by her own study abroad experience in Wales, led her to the company. Bryanna is originally from Missouri and is a graduate from the University of Central Missouri.