Canada Working Holiday: 2026 intake closed; no invitation means re-registering for 2027
Announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)Oct 19, 2026Checked on the official page Oct 24
New
CanadaVisas and rules
Study in Canada
Live in English while you study: language school, co-op or a working holiday.
Currently listed6cities108schools146places to stay
Country snapshot
Studying in Canada: costs and visas
Study paths and visa options differ by country. Always confirm official rules before applying.
Cost
about US$1,400 a month
That is about US$16,750 a year
Living-cost funds to show for a study permit
Source: IRCC: Proof of financial support (study permit)
See the full cost breakdownEntry and permits
7CAD
eTA (electronic travel authorization) fee
6months or less
Study without a permit
Source: IRCC: Find out about eTAIRCC: Who can study without a study permit
See entry and permits in detailWorking holiday
Depends on your nationality
Source: IRCC: IEC eligibility by countryIRCC: International Experience Canada
See entry and permits in detailLanguageEnglish (French environments in Quebec too)
Visa and working holiday rules can change. Check the latest official government or embassy guidance before you apply.
Step 1 — Choose a city
Cities to study in Canada
Compare the cities of Canada with photos and numbers.
58 schoolsVancouver
On the west coast, close to the sea and the mountains.
146 places to stay
30 schoolsToronto
Canada's largest city.
Places to stay: listings wanted
5 schoolsMontreal
A city in Quebec, where the environment is French-speaking.
Places to stay: listings wanted
7 schoolsVictoria
The capital of British Columbia, on Vancouver Island.
Places to stay: listings wanted
2 schoolsOttawa
Canada's capital, where English and French mix in daily life.
Places to stay: listings wanted
1 schoolsCalgary
A major city in Alberta, close to the Rocky Mountains.
Places to stay: listings wanted
Haven't decided where to go yet?
Tell us your budget and goals, and cities that may suit you come up.
- Budget
- Goal
- Duration
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Step 2 — Know your options
Ways to study in Canada
Length of stay, work rights, cost: each route differs on all three.
Language study
- Length and permit
- No permit up to 6 months
- Can you work?
- Language courses: no off-campus work
- Cost
- Tuition varies by school and length
For people who want to build speaking skills first, or try life abroad for a short time.
Find schools
Co-op and career programmes
- Length and permit
- Study permit needed
- Can you work?
- Off-campus up to 24 hours a week
- Cost
- Funds proof CAD 23,448 a year
For people who want work experience in their field of study.
Find schools
Working holiday
- Length and permit
- Rules depend on nationality
- Can you work?
- Work permit included
- Cost
- You cover your own living costs
For people who meet the age rule and want a longer stay with work.
Find jobsStep 3 — Get ready
Compare in Canada
Compare schools, housing, SIM cards, insurance and more in Canada, with listing counts.
Study abroad news for Canada
Canada Express Entry: extra points for high-wage jobs from 3 November 2026
Announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)Oct 16, 2026Checked on the official page Oct 24
New
CanadaPermanent residence & migration
Canada: ILAC language school goes bankrupt – study permits and refunds
Announced by ilac.comSep 18, 2026Checked on the official page Oct 24
CanadaSchool closures & accreditation
We only send news we have checked against official announcements.
Get advice on studying in Canada
Tell us your budget and goals, and our team will suggest options for free.
Get free adviceFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa or permit for a study stay of 6 months or less?
A study permit is not needed for a programme of 6 months or less. People from visa-exempt countries do need an eTA to fly to Canada: CAD 7, valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. It is not required when arriving by land or sea. For studies longer than 6 months you need a study permit.
Can I work part-time while I study?
Having a study permit does not mean everyone can work off campus. IRCC's conditions include: studying full-time, being enrolled in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional programme that lasts at least 6 months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate, having work conditions printed on your study permit, and having a social insurance number (SIN). During regular academic sessions you can work up to 24 hours a week. If you only plan to attend a language course, ask the school before enrolling whether you meet these conditions.
What is a co-op, and do I need a work permit?
A co-op is work experience that is part of your programme. According to IRCC, from 1 April 2026 full-time post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for placements required by their programme. The school must confirm in a letter that the placement is required, and the placement can be no more than 50% of the programme. English or French as a second language courses, general interest courses and preparatory courses for another programme are not eligible.
How much does it cost?
The official benchmark is the funds you must show for a study permit: CAD 23,448 a year for living costs (applications from 1 September 2026; Quebec sets its own, CAD 24,617 a year for applications from 1 January 2026), with tuition and return travel on top. Tuition for each school and monthly rent are shown on the listing pages.
Can I use the working holiday programme?
It depends on your nationality, so check the official eligibility page for your country. For Japanese citizens the age range is 18 to 30 (inclusive), up to 12 months per participation, and up to two participations. You apply through International Experience Canada (IEC): create a profile in the pool, and apply for the work permit once you receive an invitation. IRCC publishes the number of invitations and available spots on its rounds of invitations page.
How do I choose between Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal?
The biggest difference is the language environment. Montreal is in Quebec, a French-speaking environment, and Quebec sets its own study permit funds requirements. If you want an English-language environment, compare Vancouver and Toronto. The funds requirement is CAD 24,617 a year in Quebec and CAD 23,448 elsewhere. The city diagnosis on this page ranks cities against your own preferences, such as climate and city size.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes, consultations are free. You don't need to have decided your budget, goals or city. Feel free to get in touch.
Sources for this page
- IRCC: Who can study without a study permit（checked October 8, 2026）
- IRCC: Find out about eTA（checked October 8, 2026）
- IRCC: Proof of financial support (study permit)（checked October 8, 2026）
- IRCC: Work off campus（checked October 8, 2026）
- IRCC: Work in a student work placement（checked October 8, 2026）
- IRCC: IEC eligibility by country（checked October 8, 2026）
- IRCC: International Experience Canada（checked October 8, 2026）
