Study in Canada from Nepal
#3 destination for Nepali students · 15 consultancies handle it
A long-standing favourite for its work-to-residency pathway, though tightened study-permit caps have made 2024 onwards noticeably harder.
At a glance
Costs & visa
| Tuition / year | Rs 17.5 lakh – Rs 34.5 lakh |
|---|---|
| Living cost / year | Rs 19 lakh – Rs 24 lakh |
| Visa fee | Rs 22,000 |
| Funds to show | Rs 42 lakh |
| Processing time | 8–16 weeks |
| After study | PGWP of 8 months to 3 years for eligible programmes |
| Work while studying | 24 hours per week off campus in session, full time on breaks |
Demand & outcomes
| Popularity rank | 3Among Nepali students going abroad |
|---|---|
| Consultancies | 15In Nepal handle this destination |
| Popular universities | 7Targeted by Nepali students |
| Intakes / year | 3Admission start periods |
| Tests required | 3English / language exams |
| Post-study work | PGWP of 8 months to 3 years for eligible programmesStay-back after graduation |
Rupee figures are indicative conversions of Canada's own requirements and move with the exchange rate. Confirm the current amounts with the university and the embassy.
Highlights
Post-study work
PGWP of 8 months to 3 years for eligible programmes
Part-time work
24 hours per week off campus in session, full time on breaks
Intakes
September, January, May
Top exams
IELTS, PTE, DET
The honest picture
Canada built its reputation with Nepali students on a simple proposition: a diploma or degree, a Post-Graduation Work Permit roughly as long as the course, and a well-marked route from work experience to permanent residency. That proposition still exists, but it narrowed sharply when Canada capped study permits and restricted PGWP eligibility for certain college programmes.
What this means in practice is that programme choice now decides your outcome far more than it used to. A public-college diploma in a field on the PGWP-eligible list behaves very differently from a private-college programme that no longer qualifies. Anyone being advised toward a college purely because admission is easy should ask, explicitly and in writing, whether that programme still carries PGWP eligibility.
Financially, Canada is also front-loaded: the Guaranteed Investment Certificate that satisfies the cost-of-living requirement must be purchased before you apply, on top of first-year tuition.
Why Canada
- Post-Graduation Work Permit of up to three years for eligible programmes
- A defined path from skilled work experience to permanent residency
- Lower tuition than the US at comparable public institutions
- Bilingual environment with strong Nepali communities in Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg
- September, January and May intakes, so a missed deadline costs four months rather than a year
Tests Canada asks for
| Test | Typical requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Usually required | 6.0–6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | The Student Direct Stream historically required 6.0 in each band; check the current IRCC rule. |
| PTE | 60 overall | Accepted by most Canadian institutions and by IRCC for study permits. |
| DET | 115–125 | Accepted by many colleges for admission; confirm the study-permit position separately. |
The visa route
Apply for a study permit online through the IRCC portal after receiving a Letter of Acceptance and a Provincial Attestation Letter from the province. The file needs the LOA, PAL, proof of a GIC and paid tuition, English test results, academic documents, a statement of purpose, biometrics and a medical examination. Processing varies widely : plan on eight to sixteen weeks. A Ministry of Education NOC is required before departure.
Working during and after study
Up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic sessions and full time during scheduled breaks. After graduation, a Post-Graduation Work Permit of eight months to three years depending on the length and eligibility of the programme.
Frequently asked
1 What is a GIC and how much do I need?
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate is a locked deposit with a Canadian bank that proves your first year of living costs : currently around CAD 20,635 for a single applicant. The bank releases it to you in instalments after arrival.
2 Is the PGWP still available?
Yes, but not for every programme. Eligibility now depends on the institution type and the field of study, so confirm your specific programme before you accept an offer.
3 What is a Provincial Attestation Letter?
A letter from the province confirming your study permit application counts against its allocation. Most applications now require one and the institution arranges it.
What it costs to study in Canada
Indicative first-year figures in NPR. The chart shows how tuition, living costs and one-time visa, flight and insurance expenses split; the table gives the range.
| Expense | Range / year (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Rs 17.5 lakh – Rs 34.5 lakh |
| Living | Rs 19 lakh – Rs 24 lakh |
| Visa, flights & insurance | Rs 2.2 lakh – Rs 3.7 lakh |
"The Nepali students who do best in Canada are the ones who treat the financial file as seriously as the offer letter. Tuition and living costs are only half the story: the proof of funds and a clean visa history are what turn an admission into a granted visa."
Scolar Research Team
Based on analysis of Nepali student applications
What Nepali students say about Canada
"Moving to Canada felt overwhelming until I broke it into steps: test, offer, NOC, visa. Keeping every cost in NPR front and centre stopped me from losing track of the budget."
Asha P.
Studying in Canada
"I compared Canada against two other countries side by side. Seeing the post-study work rights and the proof-of-funds requirement together made the choice obvious."
Bibek S.
Graduate in Canada
Scholarships for Nepali students going to Canada
Fully funded and partial awards worth checking before you self-finance. Confirm current eligibility and deadlines on the official site, as they change yearly.
| Scholarship | Coverage | Official site |
|---|---|---|
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | Doctoral funding | Visit |
| University entrance awards | Partial tuition | Ask a consultancy |
Related pages
Consultancies handling Canada
All 15
AECC Nepal
Dillibazar, Kathmandu
AECC Nepal is an education consultancy based in Dillibazar, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
APT International Education Consultancy
Bagbazar, Kathmandu
APT International Education Consultancy is an education consultancy based in Bagbazar, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
Broadlink Education Consultancy
Putalisadak, Kathmandu
Broadlink Education Consultancy is an education consultancy based in Putalisadak, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
Canadian Study Center
Bagbazar, Kathmandu
Canadian Study Center is an education consultancy based in Bagbazar, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
Dolphin Education Consultancy Center
Putalisadak, Kathmandu
Dolphin Education Consultancy Center is an education consultancy based in Putalisadak, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
Education Tree Global
Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu
Education Tree Global is an education consultancy based in Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.