Permanent residents and citizens have tuition-free access to Canadian public schools at all levels. Work permit holders typically have free or low-fee access depending on province. Study permit holders pay international student tuition at public schools (CAD 13,000 to 20,000 per year). Visitors have no public school access.
The status-to-school map
Permanent residents and citizens have tuition-free access to Canadian public schools at all levels. Work permit holders typically have free or low-fee access depending on province. Study permit holders pay international student tuition at public schools (CAD 13,000 to 20,000 per year). Visitors have no public school access.
Provincial variation
BC, Ontario and Alberta have the highest expat enrolment volumes and the most established processes. Each province sets its own rules; verify at the school board level.
The work permit family
Most expat families on Canadian work permits get free access to the local public school catchment for dependents. Children of work permit holders also have study permit eligibility, which some families take to access private schools at international student fee rates.
The international student route
For families without immigration status, international student visas allow enrolment at participating Canadian schools (mostly private and some public). Fees at CAD 35,000 to 65,000 for boarding, CAD 18,000 to 28,000 for day with home-stay.
Related
See moving to Vancouver with children and best areas to live in Vancouver.