Visa route
Colombia was one of the countries served by the Student Direct Stream, the fast-track study-permit route that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada closed on 8 November 2024. Colombian applicants now use the standard study-permit stream.
The standard stream asks applicants to show enough money for tuition, living expenses and travel to and from Canada. For applications made on or after 1 September 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show CAD 23,448 for a year of living expenses, in addition to tuition and travel.
Canada runs Visa Application Centres in Bogota, Cali and Medellin, where applicants give biometrics and submit documents.
Currency and payments
Colombia requires a defined list of foreign-exchange operations, such as imports and exports of goods, external debt and foreign investment, to go through the regulated exchange market; other operations, including payments for services, may be made in the free market. The regime is set by the board of the Banco de la Republica, and compliance is supervised by the tax and customs authority (DIAN) together with the financial and companies superintendencies.
Colombia levies a financial-transactions tax of 0.4 percent (four per thousand) on withdrawals and debits from bank accounts, so moving funds through a Colombian account to pay fees abroad can attract this small tax. Travellers entering or leaving with more than US$10,000 in cash, or the equivalent in another currency, must declare it.
The Bank of Canada does not publish a daily exchange rate for the Colombian peso, so no official peso-to-Canadian-dollar rate is shown on this page.
Agent landscape
Colombia has a private association of study-abroad agencies, ANEX (Asociacion Nacional de Empresas para Estudios en el Exterior), which reports more than 30 member agencies and more than 5,000 students placed abroad a year, and states that it works to uphold high quality standards.
ANEX membership is not a government accreditation. ANEX publishes the list of its member agencies, so a family can check whether an agency belongs.
Cities families choose
In the 2021 census, about 99,200 people living in Canada were born in Colombia, of whom about 80,600 were immigrants. The metropolitan areas with the most Colombia-born immigrants are Montreal (about 19,100) and Toronto (about 17,400), then Calgary (6,200), Vancouver (4,100), London (3,900), Ottawa-Gatineau (3,500), Quebec City (3,300) and Edmonton (3,000).
Most private schools listed on MapleRank are in Ontario and British Columbia, home to the Toronto, London and Vancouver communities; the Montreal and Quebec City communities are in Quebec.
Studying in Canada from Colombia
Citizens of Colombia need a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) to travel to Canada, and a study permit for any program longer than six months.
Source: IRCCKindergarten to grade 12 students are exempt from Canada's 2026 study-permit cap and do not need a provincial or territorial attestation letter. (IRCC notice, 2025-11-25)
Source: IRCCApplicants aged 14 to 79 give fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) with the study permit application.
Source: IRCCA student under 17 who does not come with a parent or legal guardian needs a custodian in Canada: a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who takes care of the child. For students 17 and older a custodian is optional unless an officer asks for one.
Source: IRCCTuition at Canadian private schools ranges from CAD 15,000 to 70,000 per year, depending on the school and whether boarding is included.
Why Colombian Families Choose Canadian Private Schools
Canada has become a top destination for international families seeking excellent education, safety, and a pathway to world-class universities.
World-Class Education
Canadian private schools consistently rank among the best globally, with rigorous curricula including the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.
Safe & Welcoming Environment
Canada is one of the safest countries in the world, with a strong multicultural society that warmly welcomes international students.
Pathway to Top Universities
Graduates from Canadian private schools gain admission to leading universities in Canada, the US, and the UK — including the University of Toronto, McGill, and Ivy League schools.
Diverse Community
Canada celebrates diversity. International students from every corner of the world study alongside Canadian students.
Bilingual Advantage
Many Canadian schools offer instruction in both English and French, giving students a valuable bilingual education and a competitive edge.
Boarding School Options
From Ontario to British Columbia, Canada offers excellent boarding schools with world-class facilities, extracurriculars, and pastoral care.
How MapleRank Helps You Decide
We rank Canadian private schools on five objective criteria — no school can pay to improve their position.
University Matriculation Rate
What percentage of graduates attend QS Top 150 universities?
IB Score Performance
Average International Baccalaureate scores across cohorts.
Student Diversity Index
How internationally diverse is the student body?
Faculty Expertise
Percentage of teachers with advanced qualifications.
Student-Teacher Ratio
Smaller class sizes mean more personalised attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Colombian families considering Canadian private schools.
What is the cost of Canadian private school for Colombian students?
Tuition at Canadian private schools ranges from CAD 15,000 to 70,000 per year, depending on the school and whether boarding is included.
What visa do Colombian students need to study in Canada?
Citizens of Colombia need a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) to travel to Canada, and a study permit for any program longer than six months.
At what age can my child start at a Canadian private school?
Most Canadian private schools accept international students from Grade 7 (age 12) onwards for boarding, though some day schools accept younger students. Grade 11–12 entry is also popular.
How does MapleRank help international families?
MapleRank provides independent, data-driven rankings of Canadian private schools based on matriculation rates, IB scores, diversity, faculty expertise, and student-teacher ratios. No school can pay to influence their rank — giving you honest, unbiased information.