Option 3: Study in Canada Instead#

If the United States has closed its doors, Canada's are wide open. Canada has no travel ban. Canada actively recruits international students. And Canada has one of the clearest paths from student to permanent resident anywhere in the world.

This is not a downgrade. For many students, Canada is actually a better choice than the US — ban or no ban.

Why Canada Is the Best Alternative#

No Travel Ban#

Canada does not have a travel ban targeting specific countries. If you are from Nigeria, Somalia, Iran, Venezuela, or any other country on the US ban list — Canada will still process your student visa.

Your nationality is not a barrier to studying in Canada.

Clear Path to Permanent Residency#

This is the biggest advantage Canada has over the United States. After you graduate with a 4-year degree, Canada gives you a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is an open work permit — any employer, any field, anywhere in Canada.

After gaining work experience through your PGWP, you can apply for Permanent Residency (PR) through Express Entry. The pathway is:

Study (4 years) → PGWP (3 years) → Work Experience → Permanent Residency → Citizenship

Compare that to the US, where even without the ban, there is no guaranteed path from student to resident. Canada is clear and predictable.

World-Class Education#

Canadian universities are globally recognized:

• University of Toronto — Top 25 worldwide
• University of British Columbia (UBC) — Top 40 worldwide
• McGill University — Top 50 worldwide

A Canadian degree carries serious weight in the international job market.

Full Scholarships Exist#

This is the part that surprises most students. Several Canadian universities offer full scholarships to international students — tuition plus living expenses, zero dollars out of pocket.

The Universities I Recommend#

I have full courses covering each of these in detail:

For Bachelor's Degrees#

• University of British Columbia — International Scholars Program (full tuition + living costs)
• University of Toronto — Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (full tuition, books, fees, residence)
• Simon Fraser University — USES Scholarship (full tuition, possible living allowance with financial need)

Full course: Full Scholarships in Canada — Bachelor's

For Master's Degrees#

• McGill University — McCall MacBain Scholarships (full funding)
• McGill University — Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (full funding, specifically for African students)
• UBC — Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (full funding)

Full course: Full Scholarships in Canada — Master's

How to Pivot from US to Canada#

If you were planning to study in the US but the ban changed your plans, here is how to redirect:

Step 1: Do Not Start from Scratch#

Many of the materials you prepared for US applications work for Canadian applications too:

• English proficiency scores — IELTS and TOEFL are accepted by Canadian universities
• Transcripts — same transcripts work
• Personal essays — adapt them to Canadian schools, but the core story is the same
• Recommendation letters — still valid

You are not starting over. You are redirecting.

Step 2: Apply to Multiple Canadian Universities#

Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to:

1. UBC — deadline December 1 for fall entry
2. University of Toronto — through OUAC, school must nominate for Pearson
3. SFU — scholarship deadline December
4. McGill — for master's programs

Step 3: Apply for Scholarships Separately#

At UBC and SFU, the scholarship application is separate from the admission application. Do not forget to apply for both. Many students apply for admission and miss the scholarship deadline.

Step 4: Budget for Application Fees#

Canadian application fees are generally lower than US ones:

• UBC: ~$116 CAD
• University of Toronto: ~$180 CAD
• SFU: ~$75 CAD

Total: about $371 CAD (~$275 USD) for the top three schools. Some schools offer fee waivers — always ask.

Step 5: Prepare for the Study Permit#

Canada's study permit process is straightforward:

1. Get accepted and receive your Letter of Acceptance
2. Create a GCKey account on the IRCC portal
3. Submit your online application with documents
4. Pay $235 CAD (permit + biometrics)
5. Provide biometrics at a Visa Application Centre
6. Wait 4-16 weeks for processing

I cover this in detail in my Canada Bachelor's course.

Canada + US: The Dual Strategy#

Here is the smartest approach if you want to maximize your options:

1. Apply to US universities and defer (Option 1) — get accepted, hold your spot
2. Apply to Canadian universities for immediate enrollment — start studying now
3. Enroll at UoPeople as insurance (Option 2) — if nothing else works, you are still making progress

If the US ban lifts while you are studying in Canada, you have choices:

• Stay in Canada — the education is excellent and the immigration pathway is clear
• Transfer to your US university — bring your Canadian credits with you
• Finish in Canada and do a US master's later — when the ban lifts

You are never locked in. You are building options.

What About Students Already Accepted to US Schools?#

If you were accepted to a US university but cannot get your visa because of the ban:

1. Contact your US school — ask to defer enrollment for 1-2 years
2. Apply to Canadian schools — use your US acceptance as evidence of your academic ability
3. Start at UoPeople — earn transferable credits while you figure out your next move

Many Canadian universities will look favorably on a student who was accepted to a top US school. It validates your application.

The Bottom Line#

Canada is not Plan B. For students affected by the travel ban, Canada is often the best Plan A. No travel ban, full scholarships available, world-class education, clear immigration pathway, and a welcoming multicultural society.

Start with my full courses on Canadian scholarships:

• Full Scholarships in Canada — Bachelor's
• Full Scholarships in Canada — Master's

Your dream of studying abroad is not over. The country just changed.