3 Best Canadian Provinces for Filipino International Students

The Philippines belong to the top 3 countries with the highest number of international students sent to Canada in 2022. So, it’s only fitting to know the best Canadian provinces for Filipino international students in terms of living, studying, and working.

If you are an aspiring study abroad applicant, read along to find out which location suits you best.

#1 - Ontario

Taking the number one spot is no other than Ontario. Aside from the fact that most of the leading institutions are located in this province, it is also one of the safest places to live in. As a foreign student in a new and unfamiliar place, security is a serious issue that needs to be considered.

Living in Ontario

Living in Ontario offers a high quality of life, but is a bit on the expensive side when talking about living costs. According to the Conference Board of Canada, Ontario scored the 14th spot in the first-ever “How Canada Performs: Society” and has been ranked as “B”—a pretty good score that depicts high levels of life satisfaction among its residents.

Living costs in Ontario can vary widely since not all have the same lifestyle. However, international students can expect to spend around 10,000 to 12,000 CAD a year.

Ontario may be the most expensive in just every way compared to other Canadian provinces, but it’s where most Filipinos are. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as work opportunities are limitless in Ontario. Considering rent affordability and job growth, some of the best cities to live in are Sarnia, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Windsor, and London.

Studying in Ontario

Ontario is considered one of the best places to study and work in Canada. The schools offer high-quality education and it has the best cities for part-time work opportunities.

Educational institutions in Ontario concentrate greatly on innovation and research. For this reason, studying anywhere within this province gives students a competitive edge. Those who completed their degrees from Ontario colleges and universities are well recognized globally. All the more for those who have studied at Niagara College - Toronto (NCT).

NCT offers programs that are curated to meet the demands of the labor market in the Toronto and Niagara region. It is an excellent choice for students who need to achieve both academic and practical learning.

Entertainment in Ontario

When it’s time to destress, students can easily take a break from school pressure and relax when one chooses to study in Ontario. Some of the affordable things you can do are visit St. Lawrence and Kensington Market in Toronto and explore the Niagara Falls or Royal Ontario Museum.

There are plenty of chances to experience recreational and cultural activities year-round in Ontario. If you’re a music lover, you’d be delighted to witness famous music festivals, while those into film will surely adore The Toronto International Film Festival.

Are you wondering if there are Filipino gatherings too? Every August, a huge assembly happens where authentic Pinoy food and culture are showcased. This type of event makes living in Ontario easy. It’s comforting to know that a big community is waiting, especially when you feel alienated.

Working in Ontario

Many Filipinos—both permanent and temporary migrants choose to settle in this province due to prospering jobs. Normally, international students are allowed to work 20 hours max a week, but due to labor shortages, the limit has been lifted allowing student permit holders to work for as much as they can.

The average international student salary according to Talent.com is $62,850 per year or $32.23 per hour. As a benefit, regularly working students also have a 3-hour rule where they are paid 3 hours even if they worked less time.

If you’re planning to stay in Canada for good after your studies, getting a PR under the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) will be your fastest and easiest route when immigrating to Canada. The process only takes around 18 months. You only need to accomplish the requirements especially when it comes to paid work experience belonging to skill types O, A, or B of the NOC List.

To be eligible under the OINP, start by getting into the right program. Choose the one that leads to PGWP so you can have the chance to get the 1 year paid work experience required from the OINP applicants. Talk to our agents to know which courses are the best for Permanent Residency in Canada.

#2 - Saskatchewan

Falling on the number 2 spot is Saskatchewan. Situated in the prairie region, this province offers a promising future for migrants due to stable economic growth and numerous job opportunities.

But do you know what makes this place extremely attractive for international students? It's the easy immigration route offered by the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). We will be discussing more about this shortly.

Living in Saskatchewan

Expect to live comfortably with the high quality of life and low cost of living offered by Saskatchewan. If you’re planning to settle here with your family, owning a house and investing in a new business is achievable. You also get to enjoy free medical care and excellent healthcare services.

In terms of living costs, your monthly expenses excluding tuition fees are around 1,372 CAD. Aside from Quebec, Saskatchewan is considered to be one of the cheapest provinces to live in Canada as an international student.

If you despise the busy life of large cities, you’ll enjoy a peaceful and tranquil lifestyle in Saskatchewan. However, the extreme weather can be daunting, especially for anyone coming from a tropical country.

As one of the coldest regions in Canada, it can be frosty with lots of snow and wind in this province. If you wish to avoid the harsh weather, you may want to live in the warmest city called Maple Creek.

Studying in Saskatchewan

You’ll find the best colleges and universities in Saskatchewan’s largest cities: Regina and Saskatoon. Students will have an easier time finding part-time jobs in these locations and shared apartment rents only cost around 500 CAD a month.

Affordability and world-class education are the primary reasons why international students choose to study in Saskatchewan. The educators, including the research and innovation facilities, are highly commendable.

If you’re looking for a top-ranked school, we strongly suggest Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The institution upholds an incredible reputation with its 12th overall ranking on Canada's Top 50 Research Colleges List for 2021 and is known for providing qualified work-ready graduates.

Entertainment in Saskatchewan

Sporting events in this province are heart-pumping. Curling, hockey, and football are some of the favorite sports in the region.

As for the Saskatchewan art and culture scene, your auditory and visual senses are in for a treat as you witness some of its best symphony orchestras, dance troupes, theater companies, and renowned art galleries.

The natural beauty of Saskatchewan is worth exploring due to the many historical sites and stunning landscapes.

To experience the best views, we recommend exploring the province by car. Start by taking a road trip to the Prince Albert National Park, Prince Albert Museum, the Waskesiu Lake for the Northern Lights, Meadow Lake, and Athabasca Sand Dunes.

Working in Saskatchewan

The average international student salary in Saskatchewan is 63,072 CAD.

All Canadian international students are currently allowed to work more than 20 hours a week. This temporary policy is a huge benefit for students as quality work opportunities are immense in Saskatchewan.

Despite the post-economic effects of COVID, the province boasts a low unemployment rate in early 2022. This means, finding industry-related part-time jobs won’t be an issue should you choose to study in Saskatchewan.

But why choose to work in a job closely tied to your field of study? This is because the experience gained can be used to add points to your PR application.

If you decide to live and work permanently in Saskatchewan after completing your studies, the easiest way is to apply for Permanent Residency is through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). This only requires students to:

• finish a 1-year program

• have at least 6 months of Canadian work experience

• have a job offer

• demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the English language

• have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter

Processing times can go as short as 3 weeks. As an added benefit, you could also be eligible for up to $20,000 in tuition fee rebates if you file income tax in Saskatchewan after graduation.

It isn’t hard to understand why Saskatchewan is considered one of the best Canadian provinces for Filipino international students. Typically because it’s one of the provinces that give PR easily!

#3 - Nova Scotia

Affordability and easy PR route make Nova Scotia rightful in its number 3 spot. This coastline destination combines stellar education and a composed lifestyle.

It’s a multicultural city that doesn’t tolerate discrimination and is among the many provinces in Canada that score high in safety and security. For those in the IT industry, Nova Scotia will be your career haven since the province is known for its passion for tech—all the more with its booming tech industry!

Living in Nova Scotia

Generally, Nova Scotia is a great place to live and study. Living costs are low—a big factor that Filipinos consider the most when it comes to choosing a study abroad destination. The cost of living is around 1,826 CAD per month.

This Maritime province is the 2nd best state to live in Canada, with Halifax, Dartmouth, and Sydney as the top 3 best cities to live in. It has been reported that migrants have been flocking to these beautiful cities during the peak of COVID.

Nova Scotia is among the few provinces that offer affordable housing amidst the gorgeous coastal views. The peaceful and serene environment makes a student’s academic life less stressful. Multicultural diversity also contributes to the unique character of the region.

Studying in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is home to some of the best universities and tuition fees are remarkably cheap. Institutions conduct vital research programs and provide co-op and internship opportunities to encourage students to explore and learn.

If you’re thinking of studying in Nova Scotia, check out Cape Breton University (CBU). CBU is a public, co-ed, undergraduate university. It’s a small campus but with a proactive student body. If you try to search some reviews about CBU, you’d see how students loved their small-sized classes and ever-supportive professors! Know more about this school by tapping one of our Fil-Global agents now.

Entertainment in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The inhabitants love to celebrate festivals such as Italian Day, German Christmas, Vaisakhi, and Chinese New Year.

Joining in the festivities allows students to mingle with the locals, this opens the door to friendships while broadening networks. Some of the events to look forward to are the Halifax Pride Festival, Annual Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival, and the Classic Car Show & Shine.

As for sports and other forms of recreation, there are swimming, boating, hiking trails, ski hills, and skating facilities. There are also national and provincial parks to visit, museums, nightclubs, and pubs!

Working in Nova Scotia

Recently, Nova Scotia is experiencing massive job growth with a 1.9% increase between December 2022 and January 2023. The IT sector makes up most of the demand. Because of this, it is expected that the digital industry will have the highest number of job opportunities within the 2022 and 2024 periods.

Part-time jobs for international students are plentiful in Nova Scotia. The minimum wage students get is 14.50 CAD, and is expected to increase by 15 CAD per hour by October 1, 2023. Some of the popular part-time jobs include serving, bartending, admin assistant, and caregiving.

Nova Scotia is among the easiest provinces to get a PR after studies. For those who intend to stay permanently, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) will help graduates extend their stay and get their PR. To be eligible, you only need to meet the following:

• 12 months of full-time paid skilled work experience in Nova Scotia

• Completion of a post-secondary educational credential in Canada

• Sufficient language ability

There you have it! Now that you know the best Canadian provinces for Filipino international students when it comes to studying, working, and living, it’s time to act now and invest in your future! Call us and we’ll get you flying to your dream study-abroad destination in no time!