Study in Canada from Vietnam 2026: Schools, Permit, and PR

As of June 26, 2026.

Vietnam sends a significant and growing number of students to Canada each year. The combination of affordable tuition compared to the US and UK, a clear path to permanent residence after graduation, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) makes Canada the top long-haul study destination for Vietnamese families who are thinking beyond the degree itself.

This guide covers the full study pathway in 2026 from Vietnam to a Canadian campus: school selection, the study permit process, proof of funds, language requirements, working while studying, and the PGWP to permanent residence route. For personalised help choosing a school and submitting your application, book a consultation.

What kinds of students come from Vietnam to study in Canada?

Short answer: Three main profiles apply from Vietnam -- high school graduates targeting undergraduate programs, diploma-level students aiming at college programs for the PGWP-to-PR path, and mid-career professionals pursuing a graduate certificate or master's degree. Each profile has different documentation needs.

Profile A: Recent high school graduates. This is the largest group. Students have finished Grade 12 in Vietnam (or an international school) and are targeting a two-year college diploma or a four-year university bachelor's degree. They need IELTS Academic or TOEFL scores and a strong Statement of Purpose. Parents typically act as financial sponsors.

Profile B: Diploma-seekers targeting PR. Students who have already done some post-secondary study in Vietnam and want a Canadian college diploma specifically because it leads to PGWP and, from there, Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Program choice matters here: the PGWP field-of-study rules introduced in November 2024 limit which college programs qualify.

Profile C: Graduate students and professionals. Applicants applying to master's programs or graduate certificates at Canadian universities. Often self-funded or partially employer-sponsored. University graduates applying for a PGWP get a 3-year permit regardless of program length (for programs of 2+ years), which is the most valuable PGWP tier.

What schools should Vietnamese students apply to?

Short answer: The right school depends on your budget, target career, and PR plan -- not prestige alone. Public colleges with strong PGWP-eligible programs in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta are the most popular with Vietnamese applicants; the top universities for Vietnamese students are University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McMaster, and University of Waterloo.

Vietnamese applicants tend to concentrate in a few sectors: information technology, business administration, health sciences, and engineering technology.

Public universities (higher prestige, more competitive): University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McMaster University (health sciences), University of Waterloo (computer science and engineering), Queen's University, University of Calgary. Annual tuition for international students: $30,000 to $60,000 CAD.

Public colleges (PGWP-strong, lower cost): Seneca Polytechnic, Centennial College, Humber College, Conestoga College (Ontario), Langara College, Douglas College, BCIT (British Columbia), SAIT (Alberta). Annual tuition: $12,000 to $22,000 CAD. Two-year diplomas qualify for a 2-year PGWP, which is often enough to reach the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) threshold.

One critical rule: Only study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) maintains a public list. Confirm any school you are considering appears on that list before paying a deposit. Private career colleges and language schools are often not on the list.

How does the study permit process work from Vietnam?

Short answer: Vietnamese students apply online through IRCC, submit biometrics at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and typically receive a decision 8 to 16 weeks after biometrics, though timelines vary by season and application volume.

The study permit application from Vietnam follows these stages:

Total realistic timeline: 4-6 months from admission offer to arriving in Canada. Apply early. Vietnamese applications have historically faced longer processing windows than applicants from some other regions.

The PAL requirement: Since January 22, 2024, most study permit applications must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL). Your school requests this from the provincial government. You cannot submit your study permit application without it. Read IRCC's official guidance on the PAL/TAL requirement.

Biometrics: Vietnamese applicants between 14 and 79 years old must give biometrics (fingerprints and digital photo) at a VAC. Canada has two VACs in Vietnam: one in Hanoi and one in Ho Chi Minh City, both operated by VFS Global. You only need to give biometrics once every 10 years. If you gave biometrics for a prior Canadian application, you may not need to give them again.

See IRCC's full study permit application guide for the step-by-step process.

What documents and proof of funds does Vietnam require?

Short answer: You need a valid passport, acceptance letter from a DLI, your PAL, proof of funds (first-year tuition plus $20,635 CAD for living expenses outside Quebec), police certificates from Vietnam if you have lived there in the past 10 years, and a completed application form with supporting documents.

The IRCC document checklist lists exactly what you need. Core documents:

• Valid Vietnamese passport (must be valid for the full duration of planned studies)
• Letter of acceptance from your DLI
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from your province
• Proof of funds (see below)
• Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications
• Biometrics fee payment ($85 CAD)
• Study permit application fee ($150 CAD)
• Statement of Purpose (Letter of Explanation explaining why you are studying in Canada and your intent to leave after)
• Police certificates from Vietnam (if you have lived there for 6+ months since age 18)

Proof of funds:

IRCC requires proof of:

1. First-year tuition (varies by school and program)
2. Living expenses of $20,635 CAD per year for yourself (outside Quebec), plus $4,202 for a spouse and $3,735 for each dependent child

For a typical Vietnamese college student studying in Ontario: total funds required are approximately $32,000 to $42,000 CAD for year one.

Acceptable proof includes bank statements (6+ months of consistent balance), a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian bank, an education loan from a Vietnamese or international bank, or a sponsor letter from a parent accompanied by their salary documents and bank statements.

Vietnam-specific note: Vietnamese applicants are required to show that funds can be transferred internationally. If Vietnam's foreign exchange controls apply, include documentation confirming that the student's bank can release funds for study abroad. This is a common documentation gap that leads to refusals.

Can Vietnamese students work while studying in Canada?

Short answer: Yes -- most full-time students at a DLI can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during the school term and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, without a separate work permit.

Since November 2024, the off-campus work limit for eligible students is 24 hours per week during regular semesters. In summer, winter, and reading-week breaks, you can work full-time with no hours cap. There is no separate work permit required if your study permit shows you are eligible.

On-campus work has no hour limit during the school year or during breaks. This includes jobs at your school's cafeteria, library, student services office, or research labs.

Working legally while studying serves two purposes: it reduces the financial pressure on your family, and it begins building the Canadian work experience you will need for the PGWP-to-PR path. Students who work 24 hours per week during a two-year program can accumulate close to one year of Canadian work experience before they even graduate.

Read IRCC's off-campus work guide for the full eligibility conditions.

What is the PGWP and how does it lead to permanent residence?

Short answer: The PGWP is an open work permit issued after graduation from a PGWP-eligible DLI program of at least 8 months. It lets you work for any Canadian employer for up to 3 years and is the main bridge to permanent residence through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program.

PGWP eligibility requirements (2026):

1. You graduated from a PGWP-eligible DLI program that was at least 8 months long
2. You apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion
3. Your study permit was valid at some point during the 180 days after you completed your program
4. You meet the language requirement: Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 for university graduates and most college graduates applying after November 1, 2024

PGWP length:

• Program 8 months to 2 years: PGWP matches program length (1-year diploma = 1-year PGWP)
• Bachelor's degree (4 years) or master's degree (any length): 3-year PGWP
• Programs under 8 months: not eligible for PGWP

Field-of-study requirement for college graduates: If you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, your college program must be in an PGWP-eligible field of study. Check the PGWP eligibility page before choosing a college program. University degrees (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) have no field-of-study restriction.

After the PGWP -- paths to permanent residence:

Path A: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry. Work in a skilled occupation (National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) for 12 months on your PGWP, then apply to Express Entry CEC. CEC draws in 2026 have cut off between Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) 507 and 523, before IRCC paused rounds on November 3, 2026 to rescore the pool. Strong English scores and Canadian education improve your score substantially.

Path B: Provincial Nominee Program. Most provinces run graduate-friendly streams. British Columbia BC PNP, Alberta AAIP, Manitoba MPNP, Saskatchewan SINP, and New Brunswick NBPNP all have pathways for recent Canadian graduates. Ontario replaced its eight OINP streams with a single Workforce Priority Stream in 2026, so its graduate route now runs through that program. A PNP nomination adds 600 points to your CRS, making Express Entry practically guaranteed. Smaller provinces often have lower thresholds than Ontario and BC.

Path C: Quebec. If you study at a Quebec school and gain intermediate French proficiency, the Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) is a fast track. You must genuinely commit to working in Quebec. French-language immersion at the college level in Montreal is a viable and often faster route to PR for applicants who are willing to learn French.

What about bringing family to Canada while studying?

Short answer: A spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit if you are enrolled in a full-time bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program at a university or college; dependent children can attend Canadian public school for free while you hold a valid study permit.

Spouse/common-law partner open work permit eligibility depends on your program level. Under current IRCC rules, spouses of students in master's degree, doctoral degree, or select bachelor's programs at eligible institutions qualify for an open work permit. Spouses of college diploma students are no longer automatically eligible as of 2024 rule changes. Confirm the current rules at IRCC's study-and-family page before applying.

Children under 18 enrolled in a Canadian public school do not need a study permit in most provinces. They attend for free as accompanying minors while you hold a valid study permit.

Parents back in Vietnam can apply for a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) to visit you. Vietnamese nationals need a visitor visa to enter Canada. Apply well in advance -- processing can take 8 to 12 weeks. A strong application includes your invitation letter, proof of your enrolment and status in Canada, and the parents' ties to Vietnam (property, employment, return ticket).

Frequently Asked Questions About Studying in Canada from Vietnam

Short answer: The five questions below cover the topics Vietnamese students and their families ask most often -- study permit timelines, English language requirements, total cost of studying in Canada, whether you can work part-time during your studies, and how the PGWP leads to permanent residence after graduation. Each answer is based on current IRCC policy as of June 2026.

How long does a Canadian study permit take to process for Vietnamese applicants? Current IRCC processing times for Vietnamese applications run approximately 8 to 16 weeks from the date biometrics are given. The total timeline from admission offer to arriving in Canada is typically 4 to 6 months. Submit your application as early as possible -- Vietnamese applications tend to take longer than some other source countries. Check current processing times at the IRCC processing times tool.

Do I need IELTS to get a study permit or study in Canada? IRCC itself does not require an IELTS score to issue a study permit, but most Canadian colleges and universities require proof of English proficiency as part of their admission process. University programs typically require IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). College diploma programs typically require IELTS Academic 6.0. Some schools also accept TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test. For the PGWP application after graduation, you need an IELTS General or equivalent test at CLB 7 -- Duolingo is not accepted for PGWP.

How much money do Vietnamese students need to study in Canada? Total first-year costs vary by school and city. A college diploma in Toronto or Vancouver costs $12,000 to $22,000 CAD in tuition, plus $20,635 CAD in living expenses (outside Quebec), plus initial setup costs (flight, housing deposit, health insurance): roughly $35,000 to $50,000 CAD for year one. A university bachelor's program in Toronto or Vancouver costs $30,000 to $60,000 CAD in tuition plus living expenses: roughly $55,000 to $85,000 CAD for year one. Smaller cities (Halifax, Winnipeg, Hamilton) are meaningfully cheaper for both tuition and rent.

Can I work in Canada while I study? Yes. Full-time DLI students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during the school term and full-time hours during scheduled breaks (summer, winter, reading week), without a separate work permit. On-campus work has no hour limit. This work experience also counts toward the 12 months of skilled work experience needed for Canadian Experience Class.

What happens after graduation -- can I stay and work in Canada? Most graduates from PGWP-eligible programs of 8 months or longer can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit within 180 days of graduation. A 2-year college diploma yields a 2-year PGWP. A 4-year bachelor's or any master's degree yields a 3-year PGWP. After 12 months of work on a PGWP in a skilled occupation, you can apply for permanent residence through Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class) or a Provincial Nominee Program.

Ready to choose a school and start your application?

Short answer: Go Far Global is a CICC (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants)-regulated RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) firm based in Toronto. We help Vietnamese students choose the right DLI for their goals, prepare a complete study permit application, and plan the PGWP-to-PR path from day one. Book a consultation to get started.

Choosing the wrong school can cost you PGWP eligibility. Submitting an incomplete application causes delays or refusals that are difficult to fix. A licensed RCIC reviews your full profile -- program, finances, ties to Vietnam, language scores -- and builds an application that gives you the best chance of approval on the first submission.

Go Far Global serves Vietnamese students in English and Vietnamese. We handle DLI selection, document preparation, SOP writing, and post-graduation PR planning as a single process. Book a consultation.

This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm all requirements with a licensed RCIC and the official IRCC website before submitting any application.

Sources

• Study permit: Get the right documents
• Proof of financial support for study permit
• Study permit: How to apply
• PAL/TAL requirement
• Designated Learning Institutions list
• Work off campus as an international student
• About the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
• PGWP eligibility requirements
• While you study: Conditions of your study permit
• Check IRCC application processing times