Stage 7 of 8 · 7 lessons · ~4 weeks

Visa, money and pre-departure

Turn an offer into a visa and a safe arrival: prove your funds the way the rules require, prepare for the visa process, arrange health cover and housing, and avoid the scams that target students at exactly this point.

Start: Proof of funds

Lessons· one lesson for each topic, in this order

Do this

Read the full official visa page for your route and list every requirement.
Prepare proof of funds in exactly the form and for the period the rules require.
Book the visa appointment as early as the rules allow.
Arrange health cover that satisfies both the visa and the university.
Apply for university housing as soon as you accept your offer.
Verify every offer, scholarship and landlord through official channels.
Prepare a folder of originals and digital copies for hand luggage.

Start with

GuideFree
Study permit (IRCC)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
The official Canadian study permit rules, funds and attestation letters

Keep handy

Study Australia
Official Australian guidance on visas, arrival and living costs
Wise
Compare the cost of moving money from home for fees and your first weeks

Before moving on: A complete visa application submitted from official instructions, with proof of funds in the required form, health cover and first-month housing arranged, and a pre-departure folder of originals and digital copies.

Tauseef's advice

Canada and Australia both changed student visa rules several times from 2024 to 2026. Use the official IRCC and Home Affairs pages the week you apply, not a consultant's summary from last year.