Finding somewhere to live is always a top priority for new students. Our Student Service Coordinators will help you arrange accommodation/housing before or after your arrival in Toronto. They can help arrange home-stay arrangements, private accommodation and temporary living arrangements. All of our students stay in some form of private accommodation. The main types of accommodation are:

Homestay
Homestay provides students with the opportunity to live with a Canadian family and is recommended for students who wish to experience Canadian culture and way of life. Canadian host families come from many different cultures. Your host family may be from China, India, Hong Kong, Europe, or any other part of the world. This is an excellent way to improve your language skills while seeing how Canadian families live. All families are located within commuting distance of the College. Homestay includes breakfast and dinner daily.

Private House/Apartment Rentals
Many Canadian college and university students find rental accommodation that they share with a number of “room-mates” or “house-mates”. It is quite common for students to share a house or apartment unit. A wide range of rental units are available and the costs of these units will vary greatly depending on size, location, and access to the public transportation system. This type of accommodation is generally unfurnished so there will be additional set-up costs such as the purchase of furniture and utility connection charges.

Family in Toronto
Some students with family connections in Toronto will be able to live with their relatives. This is an excellent way to ease into your new life in Canada.

Temporary Accommodation
Many temporary accommodation options are available if you are unsure of what type of accommodation you will require, or if your long-term accommodation is not ready when you arrive in Toronto. This type of accommodation will usually be some type of budget hotel or hostel which will include a furnished room and shared facilities. This option will not include meals.

Staff at OIT will gladly assist you in applying to Canadian universities. Your faculty advisor will provide you counselling regarding career choices and course selection, while our Student Service Coordinators can help you complete application forms and prepare your application package.

You should apply for your Temporary Resident Visa and Study Permit at the appropriate Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in your country. The processing time will vary and it is best to apply as soon as possible. The main requirements for the Temporary Resident Visa and Study Permit are:

• Completed Form: Application for a Study Permit
• Proof of Acceptance (This is the original Letter of Acceptance issued by Ontario Institute of Technology)
• Proof of Identity (A valid passport and two additional passport-sized photos)
• Proof of Financial Support (You must be able to prove that you will be able to support yourself financially while you are in Canada)
• A medical evaluation as required by regulations for certain countries
• Exact details regarding Temporary Resident Visas and Study Permits can be obtained from the nearest Canadian diplomatic mission.

After your documentation has been approved by the Canadian Embassy you are ready to plan your move to Canada. The student services coordinators at OIT are able to help you with this transition and will be pleased to assist with any details of your move.

When you enter Canada you must:
• Satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies
• Have been accepted by Ontario Institute of Technology
• Prove that you have enough money during your stay in Canada to pay for tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and accompanying family members, and return transportation for yourself and accompanying family members.

Ontario Institute of Technology regularly arranges activities and excursions within Toronto and in surrounding areas. Previous activities have included: Field trips to Canadian government offices, corporations and/or social organizations, Visits to Niagara Falls, Toronto city tours, Toronto shopping tours, a night at a professional sporting event, and many other fun activities that provide the students with further opportunities to participate in Canadian society and learn about Canadian culture. Other social and athletic activities are organized to promote student recreation and interaction.