You are on: Get Organized tabs
Get Organized
We know how overwhelming it can be to learn about your new country while trying to prepare for school. By getting organized and making arrangements now, you can reduce the number of tasks that you need to complete when you arrive.
Attend workshops on studying in Canada in your home country
Look for workshops run by the Canadian consulate that help new students prepare for their move to Canada. The college or university that you’ve been accepted to may also offer workshops or provide resources online. These resources will help make your transition to Canada easier.
Get your paperwork together
You’ll want your valid study permit or temporary resident visa, passport, birth certificate and immunization and health records up to date and ready to go when you leave. You’ll find a complete list of essential documents and important items as well as helpful tips at Citizenship and Immigration Canada 
. Make sure all your documents are either in English or French so that they can be accepted and understood by organizations in Canada. If not, have them translated and notarized.
Plan your arrival date
When you’re organizing your move to Canada, it is helpful to set a target arrival date. Then, prepare a timeline based on what needs to be done and when. Booking tickets early may also help you save on the cost of your ticket.
Contact people who you know in Canada
Get in touch with friends and family in Canada who may be able to help you prepare for your move and get settled quickly and easily once you arrive.
Find out if you qualify for assistance
Canada offers special programs to assist certain types of immigrants, including scholarships for international students. Find out whether you’re eligible.
You are on: Prepare for School tabs
Prepare for School
Where should you attend school? What will student life be like? How much does it cost to live in Canada? There are lots of online resources that can help you get a taste of student life in Canada and prepare for this exciting step. Better Student Life?
Transfer your school credits
To find out how to transfer the educational credits that you’ve received outside of Canada, read the post-secondary and secondary education transfer guides for the Province or Territory, which you plan to move to.
Evaluate your language skills
To study in Canada, you’ll need to have a good understanding of English or French. If you’re looking to upgrade your language skills, Canada offers many programs, both private and free.
Check out LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)
LINC offers eligible adult immigrants (not just those looking for jobs) an opportunity to learn English or French for free. LINC can also direct you to education services in your community.
Find a place to stay
Canadian universities and colleges usually have lots of housing options for students. Some also have "sponsor" programs where students live in the home of a Canadian host family.
If you need temporary housing when you first arrive, you may want to look into hotels/motels, as well as Bed and Breakfasts in the area or the home of family or friends who already live here. Most schools offer up to three free nights with a student host or a Canadian host family.
Find newcomer services in your area
The Government of Canada provides many free services to newcomers to help them get settled. Before you arrive in Canada, review the free services offered in the area where you will be staying. You may also wish to consider booking an appointment with a service agency before you leave so that you can meet with someone soon after you arrive in Canada. Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a complete list of community and government services.
You are on: Arrange Finances tabs
Arrange Finances
Here are some things you can do now to help get your finances set up before you arrive in Canada and start school.
Open a Canadian bank account
One of the first things you’ll want to do is set up a bank account.
- This will make it easier to transfer funds to Canada and is one of the most cost-effective ways to bring money into the country.
- You will be able to show your proof of funds easily and have the money available immediately when you arrive, making it easier to settle in Canada. For example, if you are looking to rent an apartment and have already opened an account and transferred funds, you will be able to provide a bank statement as proof of funds.
To open an account, call us collect at 1-506-864-2275 and we can speak to you in the language of your choice.
Transfer money into your Canadian bank account
A wire transfer is one of the safest and most cost effective ways for you to bring your money to Canada. You will need to give your bank in your home country the following information:
- your complete name and address
- your five-digit transit number (including all zeros) for the Royal Bank account being used to receive the wire payment*
- your seven-digit account number for the Royal Bank account being used to receive the wire payment*
- your bank name as “Royal Bank of Canada”
- your complete bank branch address
- the Royal Bank of Canada SWIFT BIC (Bank Identifier Code) as “ROYCCAT2”
Understand the Canadian banking system
Check out the RBC Guidebook called Understanding Banking in Canada 
for an explanation of Canada’s banking products and services as well as useful tips and information to help you become financially established in your new home.
Determine need for medical insurance
Investigate purchasing student medical insurance from your home country before you leave. This may be a requirement for your visa application, and considering the cost of medical expenses in Canada may be a wise thing to do. Although Canada has government sponsored health plans, all provinces do not extend this service to foreign students. Even if your college or university extends coverage to you under their insurance plan, you may not be covered until the first day of school.
Obtain Canadian funds
When you arrive, you’re likely to need cash for small purchases, taxis and so on. Use the Foreign Exchange Calculator 
to estimate how many Canadian dollars your money will buy.
You are on: Study in Canada
Study in Canada
Are you thinking of going to school in Canada? Many international students choose to study in Canada each year. Canadian universities are among the best in the world. Once you have been accepted at a school in Canada, you may apply for a study permit at the Canadian Embassy or at the Canadian Consulate General.
For a full listing of study permits and other entry requirements visit the government of Canada’s website .
Learn more about studying in Canada
Visit Education in Canada to learn more about scholarships, education costs, student visas and various programs.
Students coming to Canada from China
Starting May 3, 2011 qualifying students from China applying to study in Canada can choose to submit fewer documents in support of their study permit application through RBC Royal Bank®. RBC is the only Canadian Financial Institution that is able to offer the Reduced Financial Documents Option through the “Beijing Student Partner Program GIC”. Please see program details below.
For a full listing of study permits and other entry requirements for Chinese students visit the government of Canada’s website .
Beijing Student Partner Program GIC
Reduced Financial Documents Option – “Beijing Student Partner Program GIC”
- This new program allows qualifying applicants to submit a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution instead of the other financial documentation previously required. A GIC is a type of deposit investment that guarantees the investment principal and usually pays a predetermined rate of interest for a specified amount of time (the term).
- This program requires you to open a GIC with a deposit of $10,000 CDN, with RBC Royal Bank in Canada. You can do so by contacting the RBC Royal Bank branch in Beijing, China via phone, e-mail or in person. See branch details below.
- Upon arrival in Canada, you will need to visit an RBC Royal Bank branch of your choice and activate your account. An amount of $2,000 CDN will be paid to your RBC Banking Account for your use immediately. And you will receive payments of $1,600 CDN every two months until the GIC is completely depleted.
- The GIC removes the requirement to submit proof of assets or banking history. If you do not provide evidence that you have paid tuition for your first year of studies, you also need to provide a bank certificate showing that you have funds to pay tuition fees for your first year of study in Canada.
- If your visa application is not accepted for any reason, RBC Royal Bank will provide you with a full refund on your $10,000 CDN deposit.
Eligibility criteria for the “Beijing Student Partner Program GIC”
To qualify for this program, you must:
- Be a study Permit Applicant with demonstrated English language proficiency.
- Want to study in Canada at a designated College or University
- Submit a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Canadian College or University,
- Submit an IELTS test result form showing average 6 or higher, or a recognized Canadian High School diploma from a Canadian curriculum High School in China,
- Undergo a medical examination before submitting your application, and
- Use one of the Visa Application Centres to submit your application.
Apply for the Beijing Student Partner Program GIC
To take advantage of the Beijing Student Partner Program GIC
| Contact: |
Royal Bank of Canada Beijing Branch (RBC)
Suite 921, Winland Centre
No. 7 Finance Street
Xi Cheng District
Beijing 100033 P.R. China
Tel: (10) 5839-9388, 5839-9200, 5839-9335
Toll Free: 800-990-1188
E-mail: BJCB@rbc.com |
Frequently asked questions – “Beijing Student Partner Program GIC”
For a list of frequently asked questions and for more detailed information please visit the Government of Canada’s website about the program.
International Students
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Call 1–800–769–2511 and we can speak to you in the language of your choice.
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