Conestoga College

Visiting your child at Conestoga College means flying into Toronto Pearson (YYZ), then continuing to Kitchener by GO Transit. Plan the Canada visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from YYZ to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a Canada visitor visa (a Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) - they are not eligible for the eTA that visa-exempt travellers use. It is filed online through the IRCC Secure Account (form IMM 5257), with biometrics required. Most TRVs are issued as multiple-entry visas valid up to 10 years (or until the passport expires), each visit up to 6 months.

• Processing only starts AFTER biometrics are given - add 1-2 weeks and book the biometrics appointment early.
• *Official IRCC times are dynamic; third-party trackers often cite 6-10 weeks, so apply at least 3 months ahead - Fall admits should submit by mid-May.
• A complete, well-documented file (strong home ties, travel history, clear funds and purpose) is the single best way to avoid delays and refusals.
• Super Visa (5-year stays) is only for parents of Canadian citizens or PRs - students are neither, so the standard visitor visa is the route for now.

Just admitted to Conestoga College? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Toronto Pearson (YYZ) early for the best August/September fares.
• GO from Pearson to Kitchener (~1.5-2 hrs), then GRT/ION to your Conestoga campus.
• Conestoga has a very large international intake - line up first-week housing well ahead.
• Carry your study permit letter, proof of funds and acceptance letter in your cabin bag.

Waterloo Region (Waterloo + Kitchener) is Canada's tech hub and a major destination for Indian students at the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College - about CAD 1,100-1,600 a month all-in sharing and cooking. The GRT bus network plus the ION light rail link the twin cities, and the huge international student population means desi groceries are easy to find.

Monthly cost of living in Kitchener (a student estimate)

That's roughly C$13,000-19,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Purpose-built student housing rings the University of Waterloo and Conestoga; sharing keeps it affordable.

• Students get a GRT transit pass; the ION LRT links Waterloo and Kitchener.
• Co-op terms at Waterloo mean many sublets open up - useful for short leases.
• Toronto is ~1.5 hrs away by GO/coach for the bigger desi scene.

Working part-time

On a study permit you can work off-campus up to 24 hours/week during academic terms (a permanent limit as of 2025) and full-time during scheduled breaks if you are full-time before and after. On-campus work has no set hourly cap. After graduating from an eligible program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) - master's graduates can qualify for up to three years. Stay within the work limit: over-working can cost your status and PGWP eligibility.

Safety & student support

Waterloo and its the University of Waterloo and Conestoga areas are generally safe by Canadian standards; use normal awareness at night.

• the University of Waterloo and Conestoga runs campus safety services (walk-home programs, alerts) - save the campus safety number.
• The campus and main student areas are busy and well-populated.
• A safe, student-centred region; normal awareness at night is enough.

Indian community & food

Waterloo Region has a large international student population, so desi groceries and food are easy to find for its size.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian grocers across Waterloo and Kitchener carry a full range of spices, lentils and frozen foods.
• Mainstream FreshCo and No Frills have good international aisles.
• Mississauga/Brampton (~1.5 hrs) for the GTA's biggest desi supermarkets.

Student community

• UWaterloo and Conestoga have very active Indian/South Asian student associations with major Diwali and Holi events.
• The region has Hindu temples and gurdwaras.

• A strong set of Indian restaurants for a region this size.

Cost & living figures for Kitchener last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.