Study in Canada with fully sponsored visa; Canada remains one hot spot destination for international students around the world, known for its high-quality education, multicultural society and more.

The costs of studying in Canada is relatively high, a major reason students are looking out for sponsored visas or fully funded scholarship covering tuition, living expenses and travel costs towards pursuing their careers in Canada.

If you are looking to study in Canada without prior knowledge on how to get started, this guide will walk you through the process of studying in Canada on a fully sponsored visa, providing highlights on types of scholarships, eligibility criteria, application process, and tips to improve your chances.

Choosing Canada for higher education

Canada is arguably on the list of top ranked destinations for higher education in the world, with access to globally respected universities, supportive student policies, and a bit of affordable tuition compared to the US and the UK,

Canadian institutions are known to major in fields like; engineering, computer science, business, finance, and healthcare.

Students benefit from Canada’s open immigration policies and high post-graduation employability, making it a popular choice.

What are the benefits of studying Canada?

Research shows that international students are attracted to Canada for the following reasons;

High quality education offered by Canadian schools
Canada offers international students the opportunity to work during and after their studies, and transition to permanent residence
Opportunity to study in English
Safety and security
Multicultural society
Canada welcomes immigrants and international students from nearly 200 different countries each year
Canada is affordable compared with other popular international student destinations, consider also that Canada dollar is weaker than the USD, GBP, and EUR.

The concept of sponsored study programs and scholarships in Canada

Ideally, there’s no specific fully sponsored visa for studying in Canada, however, there are several scholarship programs that cover most, if not all expenses ranging from; tuition, accommodation, to healthcare and living expenses, some may Include airfare.

Fully funded programs enable international students to attend prestigious Canadian institutions without financial worries on their part.

Types of fully funded scholarships for international students in Canada

1.Government scholarships

It’s has been a regular practice that Canadian government offers various scholarships and fellowship programs to encourage talented students around the world to study in Canada. Some of the notable ones include but are not limited to;

Vanier Canada graduate scholarships: These are prestigious scholarships for doctoral students, offering CAD 50,000 per year for three years to candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and relationship ability.

Banting Postdoctoral fellowship: The banting postdoctoral scholarship is tailored for international postdoctoral students, providing CAD 70,000 annually for two years to those conducting research in health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and social science.

Canada graduate scholarships- Master’s program: This is a one-year program that provides up to CAD 175,500 for master’s students.

2. Provincial scholarships

Provinces in Canada offer scholarships to attract top-tier international students to their universities, each province has unique programs which include;

Ontario graduate scholarship: This scholarship is designed for master’s and doctoral students studying in Ontario, offering CAD 10,000 to CAD 15,000 per year.

Quebec merit scholarship for foreign students: This scholarship is for international students enrolled in universities in Quebec, as well as cover tuition fees and other living expenses for short term research, doctoral, and postdoctoral programs.

3. University scholarships

Many Canadian universities offer fully or partially funded scholarships, aimed at attracting international students, some of the top ones include;

University of Toronto Lester B Person international scholarship: This program covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years, this remains a highly competitive award for outstanding undergraduate students.

University of British Columbia International Scholars program: UBC offers need-based and merit-based scholarships for international students, which may fully cover tuition and living expenses.

York university international student scholarships: It offers about CAD 20,000 to CAD 35,000

per year for undergraduate students who have outstanding academic records.

McGill university scholarships and students aid: Also provides fundings for international students across undergraduate and graduate programs.

4. External scholarships

Various non-governmental organizations and international foundations sponsor scholarships for students wanting to study in Canada, some of them include;

The MasterCard foundation scholars program: This initiative provides financial, academic, and social support for African students looking to study at select Canadian universities.

Joint Japan world bank graduate scholarship program: This program offers funding for students from developing countries who are looking to study at participating universities.

5. Exchange programs

If you do not want to complete an entire degree in Canada, some universities offer exchange programs through which you can study abroad for a semester or a year in fully funded scholarship.

Eligibility criteria for fully funded scholarships

To increase your chances of winning a fully funded scholarship, be sure to understand the eligibility requirements, which include but are not limited to;

Academic excellence: Most scholarships are awarded considering high GPA, usually above 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Proof of previous academic performance such as transcripts, and recommendation letters are required.

English proficiency: Since most Canadian universities teach in English, as an international student you must demonstrate language proficiency. Tests like TOEFL, IELTS, and TCF are often accepted.

Leadership and community engagement:Students who demonstrate great leadership skills are often favored by many scholarships. Participation in community service, sports, or other organizations can be an advantage.

Research experience: If you are applying for a research -based master’s or doctoral program, previous research experience is often required, this may include having published papers, internships, or participation in research projects.

Financial need: Some scholarships are based on financial need, you are required to demonstrate or provide evidence of your financial status.

How to apply for fully funded scholarship in Canada

Research and prepare: Identify scholarship programs suitable for your level, and field of study be it undergraduate, master’s, or PhD.

Check each program requirements, deadlines, and application process and be sure to meet requirements.

Prepare your documents: You’ll need the following documents, so keep them handy;

Academic transcripts
Letters of recommendation
A statement of purpose or personal statement
English language proficiency test scores
Proof of financial need if applicable.

Submit your application:For most scholarships, you’re required to apply online. Be mindful of deadlines, missing them can eliminate your chance.

Attend the interview: Some scholarships require interview as part of the selection process, be sure to discuss your academic goals, motivations and career aspirations.

Follow up: Having submitted, keep track of your application status and respond promptly to any additional request for information.

Tips for winning a fully funded scholarship in Canada

Start early: You should begin researching and preparing your application at least a year before you intend to start your studies. This gives you time to perfect your application and avoid last minutes stress.

Tailor your application: Be sure to customize each application based on specific scholarship requirements. Highlight your academic achievements, leadership experiences, and career aspirations.

Seek guide from mentors or advisors:Seek help from professors, career counselors, or former scholarship recipients who can provide feedback on your application.

Improve your language skills: Aim for high scores in the TOEFL, IELTS, or any other required language test as language proficiency tests are mandatory.

Stay organized: Be sure to keep a calendar of deadlines and make a checklist of required documents to avoid missing any steps.

How to study in Canada

Here are the steps you will need to take if you are looking to study in Canada

Select a program: Conduct research and find the education program you are looking to pursue in Canada.

Apply to a Canadian designated learning institution: Having determined which education program to apply to, submit your application to the Canadian designated learning institution (DLI)

Apply for a study permit:Upon obtaining a letter of acceptance, and a provincial attestation letter from the province or territory where your school is located, submit an application to the government of Canada for a study permit.

Study Pathways to permanent residency

As an international student, you have many opportunities to extend your stay and transition to a permanent residence.

Many federal and provincial immigration programs value candidates with Canadian education and work experience.

Having completed your education in Canada, you can get Canadian work experience by obtaining a post-graduate work permit (PGWP) which depending on your Canadian academic program, may enable you to work in Canada for up to three years.

While holding a PGWP, you can go ahead and pursue a number of federal and provincial permanent residence avenues such as;

Express Entry

Submitting an Express Entry profile is one of the prominent ways to pursue a permanent residency in Canada.

The Express candidates are assessed through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), this rewards candidates who are young, have Canadian education and work experience, and strong English proficiency.

Through Express Entry, former international students may be well-placed to be eligible for the popular Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, this enables tens of thousands of former international students and temporary foreign workers to become permanent residents each year.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces and territories across Canada to identify immigration candidates who meet their local economic needs.

Many PNP streams reward candidates who are former international students.

Quebec

Quebec is Canada second largest province and the city of Montreal is a very popular destination for international students.

The province operates its own immigration system with programs that are different from those offered by the federal government and under the PNP.

Quebec encourages former international students to transition to permanent residence, it does this through the Quebec Experience Program.

Other federal programs

The federal government approves additional economic class immigration programs. It offers special streams to international students and/or exemptions from Canadian work experience requirements. These include; the Atlantic Immigration Program and Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

Can student visa be sponsored in Canada?

The study permit sponsored program is designed for international students and they have an option to bring their family members with them to Canada.

Which college in Canada has highest visa and acceptance rate?

University of Toronto
University of British Columbia
McGill university
University of Alberta
University of Ottawa, etc.

How long does it take to get a Canadian student visa in Nigeria?

Canada student visa processing in Nigeria takes several weeks to months, depending on various factors such as application volume, complexity, and back logs.

Can I work in Canada if I’m sponsored?

Canadian employers don’t sponsor candidates to work in Canada but can assist in bringing foreign workers by securing Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or submitting an electronic job offer.

What is the minimum bank balance for student visa Canada?

As of February 2024, the minimum bank balance requirement for a Study visa Canada is CAD 20,635. This increases from the previous CAD 10,000 and it’s in addition to your tuition fees.

How much is proof of funds for a Canada student visa?

Tuition expenses in Canada vary between CAD 20,000 and CAD 30,000 per year, you may need to show proof of at least CAD 30,000 OR CAD 40,000 depending on your circumstance.

Is a 3 months statement enough for a Canada student visa?

It’s recommended to operate no less than 3 months transaction history along with bank statements showing sufficient fund to support your application.

Where do most international students go to in Canada?

With over 8,000 international students in the 2021 – 2022 school year, Conestoga College has the most international students among Canadian colleges.

While three provinces have the most foreign students; Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.

Which University gives admission easily in Canada?

University of Lethbridge
University of Regina
Lakehead university
University of Northern British Columbia

Is Canada rejecting student visa 2024?

The Canadian government projected a study permit approval rate of 60% for 2024 in its student visa cap calculations.

But since the pandemic, approval rates have failed to exceed this threshold, from January through May in 2024, the approval rate was just 54%, the lowest since 2020.

Conclusion

Canada remains one hot spot destination for international students around the world, known for its high-quality education, multicultural society and more.

The costs of studying in Canada is relatively high, a major reason students are looking out for sponsored visas or fully funded scholarships covering tuition, living expenses and travel costs towards pursuing their careers in Canada.

Study in Canada with fully sponsored visa – Submit application today