Study in Canada 🇨🇦
Your complete path to Canadian universities
Canada grants over 650,000 study permits a year. Tuition is lower than the USA, work rights while studying are generous, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is one of the clearest routes to permanent residency in the world. We walk Afghan, Iranian, and Middle Eastern students through every step.
90+
Canadian universities
C$20k+
Average annual tuition
3 yr
PGWP after graduation
24 hr
SDS visa turnaround
Why Canada
Why Canada?
Affordable world-class education
Canadian universities consistently rank in the global top 100 — UofT, UBC, and McGill are all in the QS top 50. Tuition for international students is typically C$20,000 to C$40,000 per year — noticeably cheaper than comparable programs in the US or UK.
Work while you study, and after
You can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during the academic year and full-time during breaks — no separate work permit required. After graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) gives you up to 3 years of open work authorization.
A real path to permanent residency
Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class values Canadian education and work experience heavily. Many of our Afghan and Iranian students go from study permit to permanent residency within 3–5 years of arriving.
Welcoming to students from our region
Canada resettled tens of thousands of Afghans after 2021 and has large Iranian communities in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal. You won't feel culturally isolated — Farsi, Dari, and Arabic are spoken in daily life.
SDS — faster visa processing
The Student Direct Stream cuts study permit processing to as little as 20 days for eligible countries. We help you assemble a file that qualifies: GIC, IELTS/TEF, tuition payment, medical exam.
Universities
Top Canadian universities we help you apply to
We've helped students from Kabul, Tehran, Dubai, and beyond get admitted to every school on this list. Each has specific requirements for students from Afghanistan, Iran, and the Middle East that we navigate with you.
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON
QS #21
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Vancouver, BC
QS #34
McGill University
Montréal, QC
QS #29
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON
QS #115
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON
QS #176
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB
QS #111
Queen's University
Kingston, ON
QS #203
Western University
London, ON
QS #114
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC
QS #318
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON
QS #203
Process
Application process — 6 steps
- 1
Shortlist programs and universities
We help you pick 5–8 programs across 3 risk tiers (reach / target / safety) based on your GPA, English scores, budget, and career goals. We also weigh graduate employment rates, PGWP eligibility, and scholarship availability.
- 2
Prepare your application documents
Academic transcripts (translated and credentialed if from Afghan or Iranian institutions), IELTS or TOEFL scores, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and a CV. Afghan students often need WES credential evaluation — we handle that.
- 3
Submit through OUAC, ApplyAlberta, or university portals
Ontario uses OUAC, Alberta uses ApplyAlberta, BC uses EducationPlannerBC, and Québec uses each university's direct portal. We manage all logins and deadlines so nothing slips.
- 4
Receive conditional offer and pay deposit
Once you receive a Letter of Acceptance, pay your tuition deposit (typically C$5,000–15,000) to lock in your seat. The LOA is the key document for the visa application.
- 5
Apply for the study permit (SDS if eligible)
Open a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of C$20,635 at a participating Canadian bank, complete medicals, biometrics, and submit online. SDS processes in ~20 days; regular stream in 8–12 weeks.
- 6
Pre-departure and arrival
We help with housing, flights, airport pickup, SIN application, bank account setup, and orientation with the Afghan/Iranian community on your campus.
Costs
What studying in Canada actually costs
Canadian costs are transparent. These are real averages from 2024–25 intakes — not marketing numbers.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
Undergraduate tuition Engineering and business on the higher end; arts and sciences mid-range | C$20,000–38,000/year |
Master's tuition Course-based MBAs can hit C$60,000+ at top schools | C$15,000–40,000/year |
Living expenses Rent, food, transit, phone. Toronto and Vancouver higher; smaller cities lower | C$15,000–18,000/year |
Health insurance Mandatory — sometimes included in tuition, sometimes separate | C$600–900/year |
GIC (required for SDS) Refunded to you in monthly installments after you arrive | C$20,635 |
Visa + biometrics One-time cost | C$235 |
Scholarships
Scholarships you should actually apply for
We prioritize scholarships where students from Afghanistan, Iran, and the Middle East have realistic chances. Every year we place students on these.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
C$50,000/year for 3 years — for PhD students with strong research potential. Extremely competitive but flag-friendly to our region. Open to Iranian and Afghan nationals.
UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award
Covers full tuition + living expenses based on demonstrated financial need and academic excellence. Applied through UBC's main application.
University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson Scholarship
Full 4-year undergraduate scholarship covering tuition, books, accommodation. Requires school nomination — we help you get nominated.
Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
C$60,000/year for 3 years for humanities and social sciences doctoral students working on issues like human rights and governance — a natural fit for Afghan scholarship themes.
University-specific entrance awards
Most universities automatically consider international applicants for C$5,000–40,000 in entrance scholarships — no separate application needed. We maximize this.
Provincial scholarships (OSOS, QES, etc.)
Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Queen Elizabeth Scholarships, Alberta Graduate Excellence — each province runs its own program with quotas for international students.
Visa
Canadian study permit — what you need
The study permit is the document that lets you live and study in Canada. SDS (Student Direct Stream) is the fastest route for eligible countries — we help you qualify.
- ✓Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- ✓Proof of funds — GIC of C$20,635 plus tuition deposit
- ✓IELTS 6.0 overall (minimum) or TEF equivalent for French-medium programs
- ✓Medical exam from a panel physician (mandatory for most applicants)
- ✓Biometrics — fingerprints and photo at a VAC or Canadian visa office
- ✓Statement of Purpose explaining your study plan and ties to home country
- ✓Passport valid for the full study period plus 6 months
- ✓Recent photos meeting IRCC specifications
Timeline
Realistic 12-month timeline
12 months before intake
English test prep (IELTS/TOEFL), shortlist programs, request transcripts
9–11 months before
Take English test, draft statement of purpose, gather recommendation letters
8–10 months before
Submit applications through OUAC, EducationPlannerBC, or direct portals (Sept–Jan)
5–7 months before
Receive admission decisions, accept offer, pay tuition deposit
3–5 months before
Open GIC, complete medicals and biometrics, submit study permit (SDS)
1–2 months before
Receive study permit approval, book flight, arrange housing, get insurance
Arrival month
Land in Canada, get SIN, open bank account, attend orientation
FAQ
Canada admissions — common questions
Can Afghan passport holders study in Canada?+
Yes. Afghan citizens are fully eligible to apply for Canadian study permits. IRCC processes Afghan applications through the visa office in Islamabad, New Delhi, or Ankara. We have a strong track record of approvals and offer a free document review for Afghan passport holders.
Can Iranian students qualify for SDS?+
Iran was added to the SDS list in 2018, but in 2024 IRCC tightened SDS eligibility. Iranian students now typically apply through the regular stream, which takes 8–12 weeks instead of SDS's 20 days. We structure your file to get the strongest regular-stream approval.
Do I need IELTS to study in Canada?+
Most universities require IELTS 6.5 overall (6.0 in each band) for undergraduates and 7.0 for graduate programs. A few institutions accept Duolingo English Test or in-house assessments, but IELTS/TOEFL remains the safest choice. We help you pick the right test.
How much money do I need in my bank account for the visa?+
For SDS: C$20,635 in a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) at a Canadian bank, plus first-year tuition paid. For regular stream: C$20,635 minimum in any accessible account, plus tuition. Québec requires slightly more. We advise on the cleanest way to show funds.
Can I bring my family with me?+
Yes. Spouses of international students at Master's and PhD level qualify for an open work permit and can work anywhere in Canada. Dependent children can attend Canadian public schools free of charge. We handle family permit applications alongside yours.
Can I work during my studies?+
Yes. From 2024, you can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during the academic year (up from 20 hours). During scheduled breaks like summer and winter holidays, you can work full-time. On-campus work has no hour limit.
What is the PGWP and who qualifies?+
The Post-Graduation Work Permit gives you up to 3 years of open work authorization after you graduate from an eligible Canadian program (typically 2+ years in length). As of late 2024, PGWP eligibility is tied to field of study — we help you pick a PGWP-eligible program from the start.
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Related guides
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