International FAQs

Each program at CMTN has different English language requirements. In most cases, you need to have at least an English 12 level or an equivalent qualification to meet the admission requirements.

If you did not complete Grade 12 (or equivalent) with a passing grade in an English course at a senior high school in one of the listed countries, you must provide proof of English proficiency through an accepted test.  Visit Option 1 to view the required scores for accepted English proficiency tests at CMTN.

Another option is to complete an English pathway program at one of our partner language schools. Once you achieve the required English pathway level, you will satisfy the English language requirements for CMTN programs. For more details, read Option 2.

For more information regarding English language proficiency requirements, refer to this page: English Language Proficiency Requirements for program admissions

No, you cannot register for your first-term courses yourself. You will be registered for your first-term courses by our international advising office. To proceed, you will need email a copy of your study permit approval letter (Letter of Introduction) to international@coastmountaincollege.ca.

Once your study permit approval is received, it will be uploaded in our system within 5–7 business days. Once confirmed, our advising team will contact you with course registration information.

Note: Without submitting your study permit approval to us, you will not be eligible for first-term registration.

Yes, there are two payments to keep in mind:

Application Fee
When you apply online to a program through Education Planner (online application platform), you will be asked to pay a non-refundable application fee of $100 CAD. This fee can be paid online using a valid credit card.

Tuition Deposit
Once you are conditionally qualified into the program (meaning you meet the admission requirements) at CMTN, you will need to pay a non-refundable tuition deposit. This deposit will cover most of your program fees for the first one or two terms, depending on how many courses you take.

Note: Effective from January 10, 2025, for students beginning their studies in the 2025 Spring term or later, the tuition deposit will be $9,000 CAD.

Before you can apply, you will need to have your official Letter of Acceptance and a Provincial Attestation Letter from Coast Mountain College. Visit the Government of Canada Study Permit: How to Apply page to learn about the process. You may also refer to the CMTN Study Permits page for additional information.

The BC government provides PALs to CMTN. Your PAL will be sent to you together with your Letter of Acceptance after the tuition deposit has been paid in full. No action needs to be taken on your part to obtain your PAL.

You are ineligible to register for courses without a study permit decision. If you are still waiting on a decision for study permit, you may defer your application to the next available intake by submitting a Refund or Deferral Request Form to admissions@coastmountaincollege.ca.

However, if your study permit is approved, email us a copy of your study permit approval letter (also known as Letter of Introduction) to international@coastmountaincollege.ca and include your CMTN student number in the email. Without a copy of your valid Letter of Introduction, we will be  unable to register you for your first-term courses.

• DO NOT book any flight tickets or make any arrangements to come to Canada at this time. You may contact the international advising team for guidance.
• All students must meet the study permit submission deadline (when applicable) to secure a seat in the enrolled program. If you have missed the given deadline, you can either defer to the next available intake (with potential changes in campus location) or request a refund by filling out the Refund or Deferral Form.

At this time, you must be approved for a study permit in order to register for courses and attend. Please be sure to send a copy of your study permit approval letter (Letter of Introduction) to international@coastmountaincollege.ca with your student number in the subject line.

Make sure we have a copy of both your Study Permit Letter of Approval (also known as a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction) on file. You must then notify the International Student Advisors at international@coastmountaincollege.ca  of your travel intentions. With your Study Permit Letter of Approval, our international advisors will be able to reach out to you for course registration. Please check your emails often. 

Email a scanned copy of your documents to international@coastmountaincollege.ca including your student number. We will keep a record on your student profile.

• No. Having an approved student permit does not ensure course registration or guarantee a spot in the program.
• Submit your Letter of Introduction to international@coastmountaincollege.ca as soon as possible. Check your email regularly in case there is a Study Permit submission deadline, as this may apply for programs with a high enrolment rate.
• DO NOT book your flight or make arrival arrangements until you have been notified of your successful course registration.
• Note that an official acceptance letter and a Letter of Introduction do not guarantee a seat. Due to limited international capacity, you must have received confirmation of your first-term course registration before you make any travel arrangements to Canada.

You are eligible for a tuition deposit refund, less a $250 administration fee and the $100 non refundable application fee. We must have a copy of your refusal letter from IRCC before starting the refund process. Please review our refund policy here. You can find a copy of the Refund or Deferral form here.

No, you need to apply for a new study permit and get it approved before starting at your new Designated Learning Institution (DLI), which is your new school. Starting November 8, 2024, if you want to change schools at the post-secondary level, you must apply to extend your current study permit. For more information on how to do this, visit the IRCC website: Changing your school or program - Canada.ca

Exceptional Case: If you are accepted to a new school (DLI) for the Winter or Spring 2025 semester (January 1, 2025, to May 1, 2025), you can start studying at the new school if:

• You have an acceptance letter for the Winter or Spring 2025 semester.
• You have applied to extend your study permit.
• Your current study permit is still valid and doesn’t have your school's name printed on it.
• You follow all the conditions on your current study permit.

If you meet all these criteria, you can start studying at the new DLI while waiting for your new study permit. For more details, visit: Changing your school or program - Canada.ca

According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), college students who submit their study permit application on or after November 1, 2024 will be eligible for a PGWP upon completion of a program in an eligible field of study, as well as meeting the general eligibility requirements for PGWP. Please see the most updated list of PGWP-eligible programs at CMTN.

You can apply online through your IRCC secured account. You’ll need to check the IRCC website for a detailed document checklist.

Please note, the College has no control over Study permit extensions and Post-Graduation Work Permit applications approvals. Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) determines extension approvals and PGWP application eligibility and approval; these are at the sole discretion of IRCC.

No, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can only be issued once in a lifetime. A PGWP is issued up to the expiry date of your passport. The only exception for extending it is if your PGWP was originally issued for a shorter duration because your passport was expiring. In that case, after renewing your passport, you can apply to extend your PGWP to cover the remaining eligible period.

Make sure we have a copy of your study permit approval and that your registration for first term is complete. Arrival to campus location should be planned 7 days before the term starts.

Please contact our International Student Advising team at international@coastmountaincollege.ca to discuss your options and any implications to your program or study permit conditions.

Yes. Please complete the Acknowledgement of Travel Plan form once your travel plans have been finalized. This is to help us better support you in your journey to Canada, and provide any follow up if necessary.

As per IRCC, there is no set timeframe for when you should arrive to Canada before your studies. However, you will need to consider the following:

• You are not permitted to work on or off campus until your program begins.
• Your temporary health insurance, GuardMe, will not begin until 7 days before your program start date. Therefore, you are strongly recommended to travel with your own health insurance for additional coverage until your program begins. It is not advised to travel without any health insurance.

The College no longer provides Letters of Support. Students are responsible for carrying all required documentation ready for presentation. The decision to enter Canada is up to the border services officer.

You are eligible to work off-campus if you fulfill ALL requirements below: 

1. Hold a valid study permit in Canada.

2. Your program of study has started.

3. Your valid study permit states you are authorized to work on or off-campus.

4. Meet ALL other eligibility requirements stated on the IRCC website (such as being a full-time student at a DLI, be enrolled in a program of study that is at least 6 months long, etc.).

If your study permit does not state you are authorized to work on or off campus, please contact our International Student Advisors at international@coastmountaincollege.ca.

If you are eligible, you can work off-campus for up to 24 hours during regular academic terms. During scheduled breaks, you may work more than 24 hours a week provided that you maintain your eligibility to work off campus and you are resuming your studies the following academic term.

International students must actively pursue their studies while on a study permit. Off-campus work eligibility and Post Graduation Work permit eligibility still apply. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our international student advisors at international@coastmountaincollege.ca.

Learn more about your rights as an employee in British Columbia here: Employment Standards (Province of British Columbia) Additional resources: International Mobility Program – Get to know your rights while working in Canada

 You can only work off-campus if

1. You meet ALL eligibility requirements AND

2. You are studying part-time in your last term because you do not need a full-time course load to complete your program AND

3. You enrolled as a full-time student throughout your program of study in Canada up until your last term.

Learn more about your rights as an employee in British Columbia here: Employment Standards (Province of British Columbia)

Learn more about the rights you have as a tenant when you rent a place to live in BC and get assistance with dispute resolution if you need it: Tenancy Laws & Rules - Province of British Columbia

International students must have health insurance coverage while studying in British Columbia. Medical services are expensive if you do not have a medical plan.

Medical Services Plan, MSP is BC’s provincial health insurance plan. Anyone living in BC for 6 months or longer (including international students) is required by law to enrol in MSP and pay a monthly health fee. You must apply for MSP as soon as you arrive at your campus locations. You may apply either online (simple 15-minute process) or on paper.

While your MSP is being processed (this could take up to three months) you are required to have medical coverage. Guard.me provides temporary health insurance (for at least 120 days) for new international students who are waiting for MSP application processing. Your Guard.me one-time fee is included when you register for your first term and coverage begins up to 7 days before the start of your program. If you plan to arrive more than 7 days before the start of the program, you are responsible for additional health insurance coverage. You will receive your Guard.me insurance package upon arrival at your selected campus.

Once you receive your MSP, present your BC Services Card to the front registration at your campus location to confirm you have MSP coverage. Your coverage with Guard.me will end after 120 days provided you have presented your BC Services Card to registration on your campus.

For more information, please visit

https://www.coastmountaincollege.ca/international/current-students/medical-insurance