Private colleges are often smaller institutions that offer a limited variety of courses.

For an international student, the main advantages of a private college include a lower English proficiency requirement and lower costs. The courses are much more affordable compared to public colleges. Currently, there are 1-year courses that start from CAD $6000. Private colleges predominantly have international students.

The student is granted permission to work while studying, but this permission ends with the completion of the course; they are not entitled to apply for the PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit), except in some situations. According to the immigration website, you qualify if you are enrolled in a province-authorized study program at a "Canadian private institution authorized by provincial law to grant diplomas such as associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees," although not all study programs offered by private institutions are included.

Regarding the spouse, they currently do not have permission to work according to the laws. However, there are cases of people who applied for a student visa for a private college in Brazil and also obtained a work permit for the spouse. Nonetheless, the immigration website makes it clear that the spouse must be married to someone studying at a public college to qualify for the work permit, as can be verified here.

As a general rule, children will not have permission to study for free, although there are cases of people who obtained a work permit for the spouse and, using this document, enrolled their children in school.

A private college might be interesting if you do not yet have the money or the required level of English to enter a public college but wish to come to Canada to study and work. It can also serve as professional improvement if you do not wish to stay in the country, or the student can choose to take a course at a public college after this. Furthermore, graduation can also earn you additional points in the Express Entry process.

One possibility when you are in a private college is to secure a job opportunity that allows you to initiate an LMIA process (which involves the employer applying to sponsor a visa based on a job offer for a specific role). This way, the student's path to permanent residence can be relatively faster and does not require studying at a public college.

Overview

COST BENEFIT

From
CAD $6,000 to CAD $12,000
per program

The most common private colleges have a duration of 8 to 24 months and offer lower costs that can be paid in installments.

ENGLISH LEVEL

Basic or intermediate

Private colleges do not require a high level of English, and most of them have their own online placement test.

STUDY PERMIT

20 hours
during the course and full-time during breaks

The student receives a permit during the course but does not receive the PGWP.

Get to know 5 private colleges in Canada
to study diploma and certificate programs

Toronto School of Management

Canadian of Technology and Business

Tamwood

ILAC College

Greystone College

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