Thinking About Coming to Canada? Here's What You Really Need to Know

Canadian Immigrant
Jul 22
4 min read

If you’re considering coming to Canada , whether to study, work, or eventually become a permanent resident , you need more than just dreams and a visa.

You need strategy, accurate information, and a serious reality check.

This isn’t to scare you, it’s to set you up for success. After years of hearing immigrant stories , especially from people who faced unexpected challenges , and witnessing the same mistakes over and over, We’ve put together the core things you must know before making the move.

💰 1. Tuition and Living Costs Are Not the Same Thing

One of the most common and painful mistakes international students make is thinking they can come to Canada, work part-time, and use that money to cover everything , tuition, rent, food, and transit.

Let us say this clearly: this is extremely difficult, and often risky. When students can't earn enough to cover both school and living expenses, it can lead to academic failure, burnout, or even removal from their program.

Canada allows students to work limited hours while studying, but that income is rarely enough to cover even your rent and groceries , let alone thousands of dollars in tuition.

What You Need to Do:

Pay your tuition before you come. If you can’t afford it, rethink your timeline or explore financial aid options.
Separate your budget: One for tuition, one for living expenses.
Plan B is essential: If your family promises to help, assume it might fall through. Life happens. Don’t put your future on shaky ground.

🔗 For a general idea of costs by city, check: Numbeo. It’s crowdsourced, not official, but it gives you ballpark figures.

🌍 2. Know Your Immigration Options, Early

There is no single immigration pathway to Canada. Some people apply through Express Entry, others through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), and many come as international students hoping to transition later. There’s also Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), and Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and other Pilot programs.

But immigration is not plug-and-play. It’s customized.

Your Action Plan:

Research all available pathways and understand their eligibility.
Consider your field: Are your skills in demand in Ontario? Or maybe Nova Scotia or Alberta? Don’t assume the big cities are the best for you.
If studying, choose a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with a program that qualifies for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if your intentions are to get Canadian work experience after graduating.

Too many people pick programs that don’t qualify or move to places that offer zero opportunity in their field. This often leads to limited job prospects, dashed expectations, and avoidable stress down the line.

🛤 3. Permanent Residency Is Not Guaranteed

Just because you’re in Canada doesn’t mean you’ll stay. Let that sink in.

We’ve spoken with people who came to Canada, studied, worked, and still didn’t qualify for permanent residency because they:

Chose the wrong program
Didn’t gain the right kind of work experience
Delayed their application or didn’t understand the points system

Smart Moves:

Reverse-engineer your path. Start with your PR goal and work backward.
Be strategic about your education and work experience.
Stay current. Immigration policies change. What worked for someone in 2019 may not work for you in 2025.

And please, don’t copy someone else’s plan word-for-word. Canada’s needs shift, and your background is different.

⚖️ 4. Only Use Licensed Immigration Professionals

We cannot say this enough: Do NOT rely on travel agents or “advice” in WhatsApp groups to guide your immigration journey.

You need advice from people who are legally authorized and accountable:

RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants)
Immigration lawyers licensed in a Canadian province

If someone is not listed on the official College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) registry, they are not legally allowed to give immigration advice. Full stop.

🔍 You can verify their status here: college-ic.ca

It might cost you upfront, but it will save you far more in the long run, emotionally and financially.

🤝 5. Network Before You Land

People underestimate this step, and it’s one of the biggest game-changers.

Jobs in Canada often go to people who are referred, not necessarily the most qualified. It’s not about what you know, it’s who knows you.

How to Start:

Join LinkedIn and start connecting with people in your field.
Reach out to diaspora communities or professional associations.
Do informational interviews , these are short chats where you ask people about their career path and advice.