Page 4 - International Student Pre-Arrival Guide

If you already have a study permit, be sure to check the expiry date and extend your study permit if necessary.
If you are currently a post-secondary student in Canada, you may change your school without applying for a new study permit. You may continue to use your study permit as long as it is valid. Just notify IRCC that you have changed your designated learning institute (DLI) using your IRCC account. If you are coming to RRU from a Canadian high school, you must apply to modify
your study permit.
Traveling with Family
It may be possible for your family (generally limited to spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children) to join you
in Canada for the duration of your studies. Family members accompanying you to Canada should be included in your initial study permit application. If your family enters Canada without you, be sure to send copies of your study permit, TRV and passport to present to the authorities at the Canadian port of entry.
Your spouse or common-law partner may apply for a work permit before or after they arrive in Canada. The work permit will usually be issued for the same length of time as your study permit. Accompanying spouses or common-law partners are eligible for an open work permit, which means they do not need a job offer or a labour market opinion from Service Canada. Visit the IRCC website for further details.
Co-op/Internship Work Permit
If you are required to complete an internship as part of your program, you will need to apply for a co-op work permit. It is recommended that you apply for your co-op work permit at the same time as you apply for your initial study permit. You should be issued your co-op work permit, along with your study permit, at the Canadian port of entry.
Plan your Finances
Temporary residents must provide evidence in their study
permit application that they can support themselves and any accompanying dependants while in Canada, without relying on employment income. For more information on Proof of Funds, visit the IRCC website. It is important to budget accordingly.
Monthly Living Expenses
The following is an approximate monthly budget based on a basic lifestyle.
Accommodation & utilities*
Food
Health insurance
Monthly bus transit passes** Miscellaneous spending money***
APPROXIMATE MONTHLY EXPENSES
$750
$300 $75 - $80 $77 $250
Royal Roads University
$1452
Miscellaneous Spending
Mobile phone Movie ticket
Meal at a restaurant Coffee
$20-$100/month $7-$15/movie $15-$30/per person $2/cup
Tuition, Fees & One-Time Costs
Visit the RRU website for current information on international tuition and ancillary fees.
Awards
Visit Financial Aid and Awards for information on a variety of awards, scholarships, and bursaries available to help offset your tuition fees. International students are not eligible for Canadian student loans.
Canadian Currency
Don’t carry large amounts of cash on you. Automated teller machines (ATMs) and currency exchange services are available at airports and at any major bank. Credit cards are widely accepted as well. It may be a good idea to bring some Canadian dollars to cover initial expenses, especially if your ight lands late at night.
Arranging an international money transfer can be an expensive process, as banks in both countries add their own charges and typically offer poor exchange rates. It’s a good idea, therefore,
to consider the different options available to you before you make the transfer. Be sure to ask how long the transfer will take and plan accordingly.
Taxes
In Canada, taxes are added onto the bill at the cash register. The price you pay will generally be more than the amount noted on the price tag.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% is added to almost all consumer goods and services. Groceries are the major exception (but note that “junk food” such as pop, chips, candies and baked treats purchased in quantities less than six is also taxed). Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 7 % is added to most consumer products and services. Exceptions include groceries, books, magazines and newspapers.
Tipping
Gratuities are seldom included in Canadian restaurants. It is customary to tip approximately 15-20% on the total bill before taxes. Tipping is also customary for other service providers such as hairdressers and taxi drivers. In these cases the percentage of tip is really up to the individual, but 10% minimum is common.
* based on shared accommodation.
** Students may be eligible for the U-Pass (universal student transit pass). *** Approximate prices in Victoria
Pre-Arrival Student Guide 3