St. Clair College

Visiting your child at St. Clair College means flying into YQG (or a larger hub with an onward connection); Windsor is a small city where a local bus or short taxi reaches campus. Plan the Canada visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from YQG 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 St. Clair College? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight toward YQG (or a larger hub with a connection) early for the best August/September fares.
• Windsor is compact - a local transit bus or short taxi covers the airport-to-campus trip.
• Windsor's large student community keeps desi staples easy to find; arrange housing before arrival.
• Carry your study permit letter, proof of funds and acceptance letter in your cabin bag.

Windsor, across the river from Detroit, is one of Ontario's most affordable student cities - about CAD 1,000-1,450 a month all-in sharing and cooking. The University of Windsor and St. Clair College draw a large Indian student community, so desi groceries are easy to find despite the city's size.

Monthly cost of living in Windsor (a student estimate)

That's roughly C$12,000-17,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Windsor students share houses near the University of Windsor and St. Clair; rents are among Ontario's lowest.

• Students get a Transit Windsor pass.
• Campus-area housing is walkable and cheap.
• Toronto is ~4 hrs; Detroit is across the border (separate visa rules apply).

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

the University of Windsor and its the University of Windsor and St. Clair areas are generally safe by Canadian standards; use normal awareness at night.

• the University of Windsor and St. Clair 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 small, generally safe border city; normal awareness at night.

Indian community & food

Windsor has a large Indian student community for its size, with desi grocers serving campus.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian and South Asian grocers near the University of Windsor carry spices and staples.
• Mainstream FreshCo, No Frills and Real Canadian Superstore have international aisles.
• The large student demand keeps everyday desi staples easy to find.

Student community

• The University of Windsor and St. Clair have very active Indian student associations with Diwali and Holi.
• Windsor has a Hindu temple and gurdwara.

• A solid set of Indian restaurants near campus.

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