Study Abroad · Canada
Study in Canada
Canada — fast SDS pathway, Post-Graduation Work Permit up to 3 years, and Express Entry as the long game.
Study in Canada — the landscape
Canada was the single largest destination for Nepali students in 2023, and the SDS — Student Direct Stream — is the reason. SDS turns what would otherwise be a 4-to-6-month visa process into a 4–6 week decision by pre-funding your first year of living costs through a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) and front-loading the tuition payment.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is the second draw — up to 3 years of open work authorisation after a 2-year program. That 3-year PGWP is what unlocks Express Entry, the federal points-based PR pathway. A Canadian Masters plus 1 year of skilled work is the most common Nepali → Canadian PR trajectory AECS counsels.
AECS focuses on universities and Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) with strong post-graduation outcomes and PGWP eligibility — not the diploma mills that flooded the market between 2019 and 2023 and triggered the IRCC reforms of 2024. The new PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter) requirement makes choice of institution more consequential than ever.
Why study in Canada?
Canada's combination of speed (SDS), post-study work (PGWP) and migration (Express Entry) is unmatched globally.
Student Direct Stream (SDS)
Designed for Nepali, Indian, Pakistani and 11 other source countries. With GIC + 1-year tuition prepaid + IELTS 6.0 / PTE 60, processing falls to 4–6 weeks. Non-SDS routes can take 4–6 months.
PGWP up to 3 years
A 1-year program → 1-year PGWP. A 2-year program → 3-year PGWP. The 3-year window is long enough to gather the Canadian work experience Express Entry rewards.
Express Entry pathway to PR
Comprehensive Ranking System awards points for Canadian degrees, Canadian work experience, English, age and adaptability. A 25-year-old Nepali graduate with a Canadian Masters + 1 year work scores competitively.
Spouse open work permit
If you study at a Masters level at a public DLI, your spouse is eligible for an open work permit valid for the duration of your study — they can work full-time in any role.
Admission & visa requirements
These are the minimums for an SDS Nepali applicant in 2026.
- Academic
- Bachelors: 60%+ in +2 / A-Levels with no gaps. Masters: 60–65%+ in a relevant Bachelors.
- English
- IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 6.0 (SDS minimum). PTE 60 also accepted by IRCC since 2023. Some Masters require 6.5+.
- Visa type
- Study Permit (lodged offshore from Nepal). SDS stream if you meet GIC + tuition prepay + IELTS / PTE thresholds.
- GIC
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate of CAD 20,635 (2024 update) deposited with Scotiabank / ICICI Canada / RBC. Drawn down in monthly installments to your Canadian bank account.
- 1-year tuition
- First-year tuition paid in full and reflected on the LOA (Letter of Acceptance) — required for SDS, optional otherwise.
- PAL
- Provincial Attestation Letter issued by the province (mandatory since Jan 2024). Universities are responsible for obtaining it on your behalf.
- Other
- Medical exam, biometrics, police clearance, SOP / statement of purpose, proof of relationship for sponsor, return-intent evidence.
Popular cities & regions
Canadian cities differ sharply on cost of living and job density. Choose the city for the post-study work outcome, not the prestige label.
Toronto
ON · finance / tech / consulting. Highest cost of living, deepest job market.
Vancouver
BC · second-most expensive, mild climate, strong tech & natural-resources sectors.
Montreal
QC · lower cost of living, French-friendly but English programs available. PEQ pathway.
Calgary
AB · energy + tech, no provincial sales tax, lower living cost than ON / BC.
Halifax
NS · Atlantic Immigration Program, lowest living cost, strong PR retention.
Winnipeg
MB · Manitoba PNP, fast PR pathway, low tuition.
Notable universities in Canada
Canada has 100+ universities; these are the ones AECS has the deepest application history with.
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia (UBC)
- McGill University
- University of Alberta
- University of Waterloo
- University of Ottawa
- York University
- Carleton University
- Dalhousie University
- University of Manitoba
- University of Saskatchewan
- Conestoga College
- George Brown College
- Seneca Polytechnic
- Centennial College
Tuition & living budget
Tuition
CAD 18,000 – 35,000 / year (university Bachelors / Masters); CAD 14,000 – 22,000 / year (public college diploma)
Living
CAD 12,000 – 18,000 / year (varies by city; Toronto / Vancouver highest)
Intakes
September (Fall, main), January (Winter, smaller) and May (Summer, smallest). AECS recommends an 8–10-month runway for the September intake — applications open the previous October, the SDS GIC takes 2 weeks, and the Study Permit decision needs 4–6 weeks even on the fast track.
GIC is CAD 20,635 for 2026 — drawn down monthly to your Canadian bank account once you arrive. Students can work 24 hours per week off-campus during academic sessions and unlimited during breaks (raised from 20 hours in November 2024). Hourly minimums are CAD 16–19 by province. Most universities offer entrance scholarships of CAD 1,000–10,000 for high-academic students; international Masters research positions often come with full tuition waivers plus a stipend.
Your Canada application, handled.
Counsellors who have placed students in this country before — every step of the pathway, in one room in Bagbazar.
- 01 Match your profile to PGWP-eligible DLIs — public universities and large public colleges only, no private career colleges.
- 02 Coordinate GIC opening with Scotiabank / ICICI / RBC and the LOA / tuition prepay so SDS criteria are met on submission day.
- 03 Draft a Study Permit SOP that addresses return-intent, family ties to Nepal, and the program-to-career narrative.
- 04 Submit the Study Permit application, track biometrics + medical, and brief you on the pre-arrival 24-hour work hours rule + GIC drawdown.
Studying in Canada — FAQ
-
Is SDS still faster than the regular Study Permit route?
Yes. SDS targets a 4–6 week decision once biometrics and medical are complete; non-SDS averages 12+ weeks. The trade-off is the GIC + 1-year tuition upfront — about CAD 38,000–45,000 (NPR 38–45 lakh) parked before the decision. For most Nepali families that's the right trade. -
How long is the PGWP and can it be extended?
PGWP length matches program length, capped at 3 years. A 1-year diploma → 1-year PGWP; a 2-year+ program → 3-year PGWP. It is single-issue and cannot be extended — you need to convert to a work permit (LMIA, PNP) or permanent residency before it expires. -
What is the PAL and does my college / university need one?
Provincial Attestation Letter — required since Jan 2024 for almost all undergraduate / college study permits. Masters / PhD and some K-12 study are exempt. The DLI is responsible for getting the PAL from its province; AECS verifies it appears on your LOA before lodgement. -
Can I sponsor my spouse on a Canadian student visa?
If you are enrolled in a Masters / PhD / professional degree (medicine, dentistry, law, pharmacy) at a public DLI, your spouse qualifies for an open work permit valid for the duration of your study. Bachelors-level study does not qualify since the November 2024 changes. -
Which IELTS / PTE score do I need for SDS?
SDS minimum is IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 6.0, or PTE Academic 60+ (with no skill below 60 since the August 2023 acceptance). University admission may demand higher (6.5+ for Masters). AECS' mock lab simulates both tests so you can pick the one that fits your strengths.
Explore 10 more countries
Different country, same end-to-end support from AECS.
Book a free counselling session.
30-minute consultation with a counsellor who has placed students in this country before. No commitment, no fees.