Frequently Asked Questions

Usually yes — most banks will let you open a newcomer account with a temporary address (like a hostel or short-term rental) using your passport and study permit or acceptance letter, and you can update your address later.

It depends heavily on the city. Outside Toronto and Vancouver, many students manage on roughly $1,000-$1,300 CAD/month excluding tuition. In Toronto or Vancouver, $1,800-$2,500+ is more realistic once rent is factored in. See our full Cost of Living guide for a category-by-category breakdown.

No. StudentsHelp.ca is an independent guide, not a government service or licensed immigration consultancy. Always confirm anything application-critical directly with IRCC/canada.ca or a licensed immigration professional, since rules change frequently.

Never send a deposit before viewing a unit in person or via a verified live video call. Be suspicious of landlords who are 'out of the country,' ask for wire transfers, or pressure you to pay immediately. Always get a written lease and a receipt for any payment.

Not directly — most students first get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), build qualifying Canadian work experience, then apply through Express Entry (often via the Canadian Experience Class) or a Provincial Nominee Program. It's a multi-step path, not an automatic conversion.

This limit is set by IRCC and has changed more than once in recent years, so always check your own study permit and the current IRCC rules rather than a number you heard secondhand. During scheduled breaks like summer, eligible students can typically work full-time.

Not always — programs of 6 months or less don't strictly require one. But if there's any chance you'll continue studying afterward, it's usually safer to apply for a study permit from the start, since switching later can be more complicated than applying upfront.