Housing Rights for International Students in Canada

Have you decided to study in Canada? Great! Canada is an excellent place to gain world-class education, meet people from around the world, and explore stunning landscapes. However, with all of these exciting prospects, it might be easy to forget to research one of the most important things: your student rights in Canada.

International student rights in Canada are extremely important. They determine your studying, employment, and housing conditions in Canada; what is permitted and what is not; what can be legally done, and what cannot. For example, a landlord in Canada can ask you for work references to check if you can afford the accommodation, but they are not allowed to ask about your ethnic background.

We will get to these details soon. Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about studying in Canada, accommodations, and your rights.

The Advantages of Studying in Canada as an International Student

Being a foreign student in Canada has many advantages, ranging from numerous on-campus services to visa programs intended to assist with permanent resident status applications. You can gain work experience right after you graduate, apply for generous scholarships, and invest yourself in unique research opportunities provided by Canadian institutions.

While the percentage of international students studying in Canada grows, policymakers and schools are constructing new strategies to improve the educational experiences and make it easier for qualified international students to be employed and remain in the country after completing their programs.

Most educational institutions offer services to help foreign students fit into various campus cultures, such as assistance with English as a second language. Many colleges also have competitive financial aid for foreign students who show high academic achievement.

International Student Accommodation in Canada

On-campus accommodation is available at most colleges. First-year students are often given preference for bedrooms. There are dormitory-style apartments with or without communal facilities including kitchens and bathrooms.

If you don’t feel comfortable with the possibility of living in a mixed-gender environment, you should definitely inform the university before booking a bedroom space. Family selection or residential tenants are also options for off-campus accommodation.

On-Campus Accommodation

Dormitories/residence halls, apartment buildings, and flats are often all available on or near campuses at many Canadian universities. Dormitories (dorms) are bigger buildings that accommodate a significant number of students, while apartment buildings are smaller structures that hold 3 to 6 students per apartment.

Townhouses are built for 3 to 6 students and have private rooms with no sharing, only a shared space as a whole, and a ground floor with a kitchen and living room area. This style of housing is typically recommended for students in their third or fourth year. 

If you are going to study in Canada for one semester, staying on campus is more convenient than looking for off-campus accommodation. If you’re planning on staying longer, you may want to think of staying in the dorms during the first semester and then make other long-term plans, after you’ve had a better understanding of the city. 

During the first and second years of study in Canada, the majority of Canadian students choose to continue on campus. As a foreign student, you may find that staying in the dorms is a great way to make friends and save money on transportation.

Off-Campus Accommodation

Try consulting with your school’s housing department or student association office on campus for a directory of nearby rental properties. Note that the institution will not monitor these types of accommodations, but you will need to contact the owner to inspect the property on your own.

Since a home is usually too costly for a single student to rent, many students choose to share or rent rooms within a larger building. There are plenty of apartments with 1 to 3 available bedrooms.

While certain residential units are unfurnished, temporarily furnished rental apartments are available when you arrive in Canada. This could be the right choice for you if you just want to remain in Canada for a limited period. Otherwise, you’ll have to go out and buy your furniture.

A contract signing, which is the legal agreement outlining your responsibilities as a homeowner, is required for private rentals. Paying rent on schedule, maintaining the grounds clean, fixing any damages incurred by you or your visitors, and not bothering other tenants are all examples of these obligations. 

Property owners may apply additional rules and regulations to the contract, so make sure you read them thoroughly before signing, to ensure that you can uphold your side of this agreement and that none of your rights are being violated.

Your landlord has obligations as well, such as maintaining the property in good condition. The owner has the right to access the home without warning in an urgent situation; otherwise, prior notification and an explanation for the order must be issued.

When you conduct your survey, you’ll discover which housing arrangements are better for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance, and remember that you are obligated neither here nor there.

International Student Rights in Canada

The final and the most important part of your journey – what are your rights when you choose to study in Canada?

• You are entitled to study in a safe environment and not be subjected to discrimination of any kind, indignity, injury, or harassment.

• You have the freedom of speech. You may express your beliefs, political associations, and opinions freely.

• When applying for accommodation, your landlord is not permitted to ask any personal questions about your ethnic background, how long you’ve been in Canada, if you plan to have children, or even if your relatives are coming to visit.

• When applying for accommodation, your landlord is not permitted to deny renting you the place because you’re new, and therefore lack credit or references.

• If your study permit allows, you may work while studying for 20 hours a week. Your employer is not allowed to demand more working hours.

• You can register for free basic banking if you are a full-time student.

Ready to become an International Student?

Canada’s popularity as a world-class gateway for foreign students is growing every year. If you are looking for new career pathways, a new life, and a stable community, Canada is definitely an ideal option.

If you intend on relocating to study in Canada, work, or for residency purposes, you can use the assistance of our team at Great North Visa. We will work with you to secure your Canadian student visa or permit. You will be assisted by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC’s).

To decide which visa or permit is better tailored to your requirements, communicate directly with our team today for a visa eligibility assessment. Our staff has a lot of expertise with Canadian immigration laws and procedures.

At Great North Visa, we are dedicated to sharing our expertise and experiences with you at every stage of the process, ensuring that every aspect of your application is correct, and supplying you with the most cost-effective services possible. We will assist in securing the most appropriate Canadian Visa for you.