🇻🇳 For Vietnamese Families
Find the Best Canadian Private School for Your Child
Independent, data-driven rankings to help Vietnamese families navigate Canadian private education. Compare schools by academics, diversity, and university placement — with complete transparency.
Canada has a large Vietnamese community with strong support networks.
Visa route
Vietnam 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. Vietnamese applicants now use the standard study-permit stream, with no nationality-based fast track.
The standard stream asks for proof of first-year tuition plus living costs. For applications made on or after 1 September 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show CAD 23,448 for a year of living costs, separate from tuition and travel, and the amount rises with each accompanying family member.
Canada operates two Visa Application Centres in Vietnam, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, so families in the south do not need to travel to Hanoi to submit documents or give biometrics.
Currency and payments
Sending money abroad for study is governed by the State Bank of Vietnam. Under Circular 20/2022/TT-NHNN, in force since 15 February 2023, study abroad is a permitted purpose for a resident to buy and transfer foreign currency out of the country through a licensed bank.
There is no fixed personal annual currency quota for this. The bank remits the tuition and other charges shown on the school's fee notice, and where living costs are not stated by the school the licensed bank sets a reasonable amount at its discretion. The family presents the school's documents and personal identity documents to the bank.
Agent landscape
Until mid-2026, running an overseas-study consultancy in Vietnam was a conditional business: a provider needed a study-abroad consultancy registration certificate from the provincial Department of Education and Training, most recently under Decree 125/2024/ND-CP.
Under the amended Law on Investment passed in December 2025, study-abroad consulting was removed from the list of conditional business lines with effect from 1 July 2026. From that date the sector-specific licence is no longer issued or required and a consultancy needs only ordinary business registration, so a government study-abroad licence is no longer a mark to check for.
Cities families choose
The 2021 census counted about 202,000 people living in Canada who were born in Vietnam. The largest numbers are in the Toronto (about 67,400), Vancouver (30,700), Montreal (25,800), Calgary (17,200), Edmonton (11,300) and Ottawa-Gatineau (7,500) metropolitan areas.
Those six areas hold roughly four-fifths of the Vietnam-born population, with the Toronto area alone about a third. Most private schools listed on MapleRank are in Ontario and British Columbia, the two provinces that also hold Canada's two largest Vietnam-born communities.
Studying in Canada from Vietnam
Citizens of Vietnam 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 Vietnamese 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 Vietnamese families considering Canadian private schools.
What is the cost of Canadian private school for Vietnamese 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 Vietnamese students need to study in Canada?
Citizens of Vietnam 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.