New Zealand versus Canada study visa is one of the most important discussions if you are unable to decide whether you should go for a New Zealand study visa or a Canada study visa. Both countries are really good and both countries are considered the best countries in terms of PR because in both of these countries you can get your PR. A few people choose New Zealand because they are unable to go to Australia and New Zealand becomes a pathway to go to Australia. A few people choose Canada because they are unable to go to USA and Canada becomes the pathway to go to USA.
If I need to choose it for myself, I would any day choose Canada over New Zealand. There are multiple reasons for that. Canada is a bigger economy. It is 10 times bigger economy compared to New Zealand. Both countries are good, really beautiful, everything is infra and everything is really good, but economy wise Canada is a bigger economy. Canada has eight times more population compared to New Zealand.
When there is more population and a bigger economy, there are more financial activities and you can get bigger opportunities to run a business or for your job. The third thing is that Canada is near to USA. That is one big advantage if you are going to Canada. Security wise there is no problem and so many things are quite similar.
1. Canada and USA
If you can go to USA, if you can expand your business to USA, or if you can go to USA for a job, you are going to get the best opportunities in the world. USA is the biggest economy in the world. You are getting direct access of USA after getting citizenship of Canada. You can buy your second home in USA, you can do a job in USA, you can start a business or expand your business from Canada into USA. It is possible.
The same is possible in New Zealand and Australia as well. But overall, if you combine both the economies, you are going to find bigger economies and bigger systems in Canada and USA. If you combine Canada and USA, that is going to become a clear choice that you should go to Canada.
Apart from that, there are so many things which are different in terms of visa application, but so many things are quite similar if you are going to land there. After landing there, many things are quite similar, such as how much PG work permit you get and how much work you are allowed to do during your study period. The way the visa application is submitted is different.
2. Eligibility for New Zealand and Canada
Both countries are good and the facts of both countries can be looked at before deciding. New Zealand is more rigorous in terms of giving you a study visa. They are going to ask for better financial capacity. You need to prove your financial capacity, which is not the case in Canada. You need to check your eligibility as well. You may be willing to go to New Zealand but you may not be eligible to get a New Zealand study visa. That becomes a problem. Then Canada is by default the choice.
If you are not sure, you can choose any of the countries and decide which country to choose. The facts can be looked at and then you can decide what you are going to do. New Zealand should not be demeaned in any way. The facts in both countries can be presented and then you can decide. The personal choice shared is Canada, but the facts of New Zealand and Canada are also discussed.
3. Funds, Source of Funds and Financial Capacity
Both countries can be applied for if you are eligible and have proper funds and proper financial capacity. The problem in India is that people have funds and money but they do not know the source of funds. They cannot prove the source of funds. People have so much cash and so much money, but proving the source of funds is really difficult.
Even if people are earning ₹10 lakh or ₹15 lakh per year, in income tax returns the ITR is usually nil. Earlier, when five lakh rupees was the limit where tax was not required, people used to file ITR of ₹4,90,000 or ₹4,95,000. Now, till ₹12 lakh, tax is not required, and people are filling ITR till ₹10 lakh or ₹11 lakh. The point is that people do not want to pay taxes even though they have income, and businesses usually do the same. In jobs there is no scope of manipulation, but in businesses there is always scope of manipulation.
In most cases, people are unable to take proper loans or, even after taking loans, they are not eligible to apply for a New Zealand study visa because there is a capacity requirement. You need to prove that you can take a study loan for this much amount depending upon your ITR, and you need to provide proofs of your income as well. If you have a registered business or job, whatever proofs are required, you need to provide proofs for everything. It becomes a really big problem in New Zealand to prove financial capacity.
Even though Indians may have the money and can pay it up front, New Zealand asks for the proof and asks for three-month-old funds. That is not a requirement in Canada. Getting a study visa is easier in Canada compared to New Zealand, so you need to check your eligibility.
4. Why Canada Is Chosen Over New Zealand
The reasons given for choosing Canada over New Zealand are the 10 times bigger economy, eight times more population and more economic activities. Where the economy is bigger, there are more opportunities in terms of jobs and business. The second reason is access to USA. After getting citizenship, you get easy access to USA for job, business, buying a home or whatever you want to do.
That access is through the land border. You do not require to take a ferry or flight or anything. You can go through the land border, which makes the commute towards USA easier. The third reason is that it is easier to get a study visa with multiple attempts. In Canada, you do not require to show all funds and you can submit the visa application multiple times.
You can submit your visa application 100 times and there is no problem in that, and ultimately you are going to get it if your application is right. The same is going to be there in New Zealand as well, but New Zealand is different in terms of immigration. They are going to check documentation very rigorously.
If New Zealand does not accept the application, there is very less probability that you are going to correct things and then apply, or you need to wait longer. In Canada, if you have done your things correctly, you can get a random refusal. Everything can be perfect and still you can get a refusal, but you can reapply again and again and ultimately get it.
The visa processing fee is also discussed. It is $150 for reapplication and in India it is approximately ₹10,000. You can reapply quickly and ultimately get your visa. The way funds need to be shown in Canada and the attempts you can take in Canada are far easier.
5. Study Visa Quota
Canada always has a bigger quota of study visas compared to New Zealand. It is usually more than double and in most years it was multiple times compared to New Zealand. This quota keeps changing. The amount discussed for Canada is 1 lakh 50,000, while in New Zealand the quota is usually around 2,000 to 3,000 visas per month, approximately 40,000 to 50,000 visas per year.
Quota wise, Canada has a bigger quota compared to New Zealand. You have more chances of getting your study visa because the quota is bigger. Right now, because less people are trying to get study visas for these countries, people are able to fit themselves in these quotas. It is possible to get a visa in New Zealand as well and it is possible to get a visa in Canada as well, but the process and eligibility are different.
6. PR Is Possible in Both Countries
The biggest similarity between New Zealand and Canada is that PR is possible in both countries. The utmost thing to immigrate to a particular country where you are getting a study visa and spending ₹20 lakh, ₹25 lakh, ₹30 lakh, ₹35 lakh or ₹40 lakh is that the country must be able to give you PR. The country should have a plan and system to give you PR.
If the country is not going to give you PR, there is no point spending ₹25 lakh, ₹30 lakh, ₹40 lakh or ₹50 lakh just to study in that country. The same study can be completed in India in ₹1 lakh, ₹2 lakh, ₹3 lakh, ₹4 lakh or ₹5 lakh. Even in the best of the universities, you can complete your study in five lakh rupees.
The ultimate goal is to get PR. Some people say that you should come here to study and that PR is never promised. The question is why you are coming there to get your PR. If the countries are not promising PG work permit or PR, then do not go to those countries.
Canada has a priority list and New Zealand has a green list. If you are going to do a job in the green list, you are going to get PR. The same priority list is there in Canada. If you are going to work in the priority list, you are going to get PR. The PNP option is also there. You are going to compete to get PR, but the option should be there.
7. Three Years of PG Work Permit
Another major similarity is the three-year PG work permit. There is an exception for UG diploma, but in most cases you are going to get three years of PG work permit. Three years of PG work permit is important because you require enough time to get your experience and apply for your PR. You need to have a buffer period as well.
If you get only one year of PG work permit, you may be unable to get your PR or complete your experience. You require a good enough period to get your PR, and the period discussed is three years. If you are not getting three years of PG work permit, it becomes a problem. Germany is mentioned as having one and a half years and the UK one and a half years.
Most PR programs will ask for one year of experience. You require some buffer period to get a job, apply for your PR and then have processing of PR. At the end, there should also be some buffer period left after getting your PR. You should have enough period, three years of period, to make your PR possible. Getting anything less than that is very risky.
8. Part-Time Work and Family
Three-year PG work permit is possible in Canada and New Zealand. Part-time work is also similar. In New Zealand you are allowed to work 25 hours per week, while in Canada you are allowed to work 24 hours per week. It is quite similar in both countries.
Study visa with family, spouse and kids is also discussed as a similarity. You can travel to both countries with your family and kids. For a married client base, ultimately you want to go with your family, and these two countries allow you to get study visa with family. The process may be different here and there, but ultimately you can travel with your family.
English test is needed in both countries for study visa. You need to take an English test in Canada and New Zealand as well. New Zealand gives you access to Australia, while Canada gives you access to USA. These are the similarities in both countries.
9. English Test Scores
For New Zealand, the requirement discussed is 6.5 with no less than 6 in IELTS for PG-level study, graduate certificate or master’s degree. For UG-level programs, usually 6 with no less than 5.5 is accepted, and some can accept 5.5 as well. The target for master’s level is 6.5 with no less than 6, and for UG level 6 with no less than 5.5.
For PTE, 59 with no less than 52 is discussed for master’s degree, while for UG-level programs it can be lower. For nursing or medical programs, the requirement is higher compared to normal programs. The requirement discussed is usually 65 no less than 65 in IELTS and 7 no less than 7.
Depending upon the study, the score may change. The benchmark score discussed is 6.5 no less than 6 for PG level and 6 no less than 5.5 for UG level. For PTE, the discussion gives 60 in all modules for UG and 65 no less than 60 for PG.
If you are targeting New Zealand, the suggestion in the discussion is to try to get 6 in all modules in IELTS or 60 in all modules in PTE because if you get a refusal in New Zealand, the second option can become Canada and the requirement will increase in Canada. In Canada, you will require 60 in all modules in PTE, and 59 with no less than 52 will not work in Canada.
For PG level, the target discussed is 6.5 no less than 6 in IELTS and 65 no less than 60 in PTE. If you prepare with these scores, you do not require to take the test again if you get a refusal and need to apply for Canada.
10. The Biggest Difference: Old Funds and Source of Funds
The biggest difference between these two countries is the old funds requirement. New Zealand is going to ask for three-month-old funds with source. Canada does not ask for source of funds or old funds. In Canada, you pay everything—your tuition fee and your GIC. GIC is your living expenses. You pay everything and it goes to Canada.
In Canada, you do not require to prove from where you got the money. Whether you borrowed it from somewhere, sold your property and got it, took a gold loan or anything else, no one is asking where you got the money. You need to send everything to Canada: first-year tuition fee and GIC. No one is going to ask where you got this money or to show the source of funds.
That is why packages are possible in Canada. The student pays the tuition fee, GIC is paid, and after reaching Canada the GIC is taken back and ultimately the money is recovered. Someone else can also pay your tuition fee. Someone else can pay it, whether it is some funder, father, mama, uncle or anyone else. The money can be in your account, you pay it, and then you can apply for the study visa.
New Zealand, on the other hand, asks for three-month-old funds. You are required to provide a three-month-old statement and prove the source of the funds. If you do not have the source from where you got the money, it can become a problem. If you have the proper source, fresh funds can also be used.
11. Entire Tuition Fee and Living Expenses
New Zealand does not ask you to pay the tuition fee or living expenses in the same way. They ask you to show everything in your home country. You can pay the entire tuition fee for the program, and that actually improves your visa chances. If you have the source of funds and recently got money, for example by selling a property and receiving the money in your account, you can use that money to send the entire tuition fee.
New Zealand is going to ask for more funds because they are going to ask for the funds of the entire study and the living expenses of the entire study. There are three major differences. Canada asks for first-year tuition fee and first-year living expenses. New Zealand is going to ask for entire tuition fee and entire living expenses.
If the study is two years or three years, you need to prove it for two or three years in New Zealand. In Canada, if the study is two years, you still require to prove that you have funds for the first year and have already paid for it. For the second year, financial capacity can be shown as well.
New Zealand is more rigorous because you need to prove financial capacity for the entire program. If you are going for a bachelor’s degree in New Zealand, proving financial capacity becomes very difficult because for three years you need to prove your financial capacity. If the tuition fee is $35,000 and $20,000 are living expenses, around 1.5 lakh New Zealand dollars need to be proved, which is very difficult for an entire three-year study.
The three major differences are how much funds you need to show, three-month-old funds and source of funds. You do not require three-month-old funds in Canada and you do not require to give the source of funds in Canada. These three differences set up your eligibility in terms of New Zealand study visa or Canada study visa.
12. Loans, Parents' Income and Second-Year Financial Capacity
If you have old funds and can take a loan against mortgage from a really good bank, then you can proceed for a loan. In the loan, your parents may become guarantors and their income is also considered. The example given is that if your parents are earning ₹1 lakh together, with the mother earning ₹50,000 and the father earning ₹50,000, then the loan has a limit where the EMI cannot be more than ₹30,000, more than 30% of the EMI cannot be there, and the loan needs to be taken against a mortgage with property attached to the loan.
New Zealand therefore has a rigorous financial requirement which is not there in Canada. Canada makes financial capacity easier. Showing funds in Canada is far easier and someone else can also show funds for you even if you do not have your own funds. For the second year, New Zealand asks you to prove the financial capacity for the entire study.
In Canada, for the second year, the income of the parents can be shown. If parents are earning ₹20 lakh and there is no tax till ₹12 lakh, an ITR of ₹10 lakh for each parent can be filled. If the parents have income, it can be shown that in the next year they will be able to earn $30,000 and from that amount the tuition fee of $15,000, $16,000 or $17,000 can be paid.
Savings can also be shown. For example, if there are savings of ₹2 lakh, ₹3 lakh, ₹4 lakh, ₹5 lakh or ₹6 lakh, those savings can be combined with an approved loan. The income of parents, savings and loan can be combined to show financial capacity. A major part can be covered through the income of parents, sponsors or guarantors.
This makes showing second-year financial capacity easier compared to New Zealand. New Zealand is far more rigorous in this particular thing. Old funds are needed in New Zealand, while old funds are not needed in Canada. That is why Canada is far easier and smoother compared to New Zealand.
13. When New Zealand Is Also Possible
People who have money but not old money and not the source of funds have Canada as the choice, while New Zealand is not a choice. But if the proper financial capacity is available, both countries can be considered. If both parents are working in IT, government jobs or proper jobs and are earning well, proper ITRs are there, they can take a loan, take a loan against mortgage, their income is enough, savings are old, and the source of savings is known through PF, property sale or salary, then New Zealand is perfectly fine.
If everything in the financial profile is a cream profile, New Zealand study visa can also be taken care of. If the financial profile is not there, Canada is preferred because ultimately getting the study visa is what needs to be done. If you are not going to get your visa, no one is going to get anything.
14. Course Duration and PG Work Permit
Course duration in diploma, PG diploma, graduate certificate, master’s degree and bachelor’s degree is available in both countries. In New Zealand, you can do a UG diploma of one year or two years and get a PG work permit of the same duration. But if you do a diploma, you will not get a three-year PG work permit. If that does not happen, it is not the best choice for PR because you will not get enough buffer period to make your PR possible.
People may take a UG diploma in New Zealand to show lesser financial capacity and then shift the UG diploma into a bachelor’s degree. If you take a one-year UG diploma, you do not complete that UG diploma and transfer it into a bachelor’s degree, then you need to complete the bachelor’s degree in one less year. Overall, you complete the bachelor’s degree so that you get three years of PG work permit.
A UG diploma is therefore discussed as an option to enter New Zealand but not to finish it. If you finish only the UG diploma, you are not going to get three years of PG work permit. One year of UG diploma gives one year of PG work, and two years gives two years of PG work permit. The diplomas need to be in the green list. If they are not in the green list or priority list, you are not going to get PG work permit.
The plan with a UG diploma should therefore lead to a bachelor’s degree. If it does not lead to a bachelor’s degree, it becomes a problem because you will not get three years of PG work permit. A direct bachelor’s degree in New Zealand requires higher financial capacity, including savings and loan. The amount discussed is more than 1 lakh 50,000 New Zealand dollars, which is around ₹80–90 lakh.
15. UG Diploma, Bachelor's and Master's Degree
For a normal middle-class family, showing ₹80–90 lakh or around ₹1 crore in savings and loan is not easy. Taking a direct bachelor’s degree is therefore very difficult in New Zealand in terms of proving financial capacity. For PG diploma or graduate certificate, the same rule is discussed: one year gives one year of PG work permit and two years gives two years of PG work permit. A master’s degree directly gives three years of PG work permit.
The target is to achieve three years of PG work permit so that there is enough buffer period to get PR in New Zealand. In Canada, a UG diploma itself can be completed and a three-year PG work permit can be obtained. This is described as the biggest difference in New Zealand.
If you complete one or two years of UG diploma in New Zealand, you get a maximum of two years of PG work permit. In Canada, even after completion of a two-year diploma, you get three years of PG work permit. If you complete one year of diploma, you get one year, but if you complete two years of diploma, you get three years of PG work permit.
Most people do a two-year diploma and after doing a two-year UG diploma or PG diploma, they get three years of PG work permit. In Canada, you can complete a UG diploma and finish your study. You do not require to complete a bachelor’s degree to get three years of PG work permit. This saves money and time because the study can usually be completed in two years, which is completed in 16 months, followed by three years of PG work permit and PR.
16. Cost of Study
Completion of a diploma is enough in Canada. It saves money, and you should not take a bachelor’s degree in Canada. A normal middle-class family is not recommended to go for a bachelor’s degree. There is a misconception that taking a bachelor’s degree will improve visa chances because it is on a higher level. The point made is that this is not the case.
For a UG diploma, two years can require around $35,000 Canadian on average. For a bachelor’s degree, at least $66,000 Canadian may be required in most universities. The bachelor’s degree therefore demands double the fee compared to a UG diploma. The discussion also refers to a separate video on UG diploma versus bachelor’s.
The scrutiny is also discussed as being higher for a bachelor’s degree. A visa officer is looking for more financial capacity and a better profile compared to a diploma. If you have 50% marks in 12th and mathematics and English are 50/50, the suggestion is to go with a diploma because the profile may be fine for completing a diploma.
The point is that a UG diploma can save money and time, can get PR and visa chances are described as the same. People can get refusal in UG diploma and people can get refusal in bachelor’s degree as well. The perception that UG diploma has a refusal rate because more people apply for it is also discussed.
17. RCIP Communities and Location
If you are going after 12th, the discussion says to go for RCIP communities. A separate video on that is mentioned. PR can be obtained through RCIP or PNP. Location needs to be chosen carefully, whether you are going for bachelor’s or UG diploma, because ultimately you are going to get PR through RCIP. RCIP and PNP are discussed as being activated from those locations.
If you are taking a diploma, location is what you need to choose carefully. Even if you are going for bachelor’s, go with RCIP communities. A master’s degree again gives three years of PG work permit. One-year or two-year master’s degree options are available in both countries, and the target remains three years of PG work permit.
18. UG Level: Canada and New Zealand
With any master’s degree, three years of PG work permit is discussed for both Canada and New Zealand. The same rule is discussed for PG diploma. The difference is in the UG diploma case because you are unable to get three years of PG work permit in New Zealand. That is why for UG-level study, Canada is preferred in the discussion.
For New Zealand, the overall amount can become at least ₹60 lakh, while in Canada the amount is discussed around ₹25 lakh. New Zealand is different because ultimately you need to study for three years to get three years of PG work permit. Canada becomes by default the choice if you are going after 12th.
For a bachelor’s degree in New Zealand, the minimum amount discussed is ₹60 lakh, while in Canada it is ₹25 lakh. The per-year tuition fee discussed is ₹20 lakh in New Zealand and ₹12.5 lakh in Canada on average. For a master’s degree, a one-year master’s in New Zealand is discussed at $35,000, around ₹20 lakh.
In Canada, a master’s degree usually costs around ₹25 lakh. There are hardly one-year master’s degrees in Canada, although one or two options are there. Most of the time, students complete a two-year master’s degree. Options around ₹20 lakh are also discussed, such as Master of Organizational Management and one-year Master of Computer Science, where tuition fee is around $26,000 or $28,000.
Mostly, students study a two-year master’s degree and the fee is around ₹25 lakh, which can be less or more. For a bachelor’s degree, if it is required, the fee is around ₹40–50 lakh depending upon where you study. Fee wise, Canada is discussed as having a much lower UG-level cost compared to New Zealand, while PG level is quite similar.
19. Cost of Visa Application
The cost of visa application is also different. In New Zealand, the amount discussed is New Zealand dollar $850, which is on the higher side. In Canada, it is $235, with the comparison being approximately ₹20,000 versus ₹48,000–₹50,000. If you apply for the second year, you do not require to pay for biometrics, so the fee can become even lesser. In Canada, it can be around ₹10,000 mostly.
In New Zealand, usually you do not reapply and the fee is similar. Around ₹40,000–₹45,000 may need to be paid in New Zealand. It is still higher compared to Canada. This is the difference between the cost of visa application.
20. Work While Studying and Family
Work while studying is 25 hours per week in New Zealand and 24 hours per week in Canada. It is very similar in both countries. Family can apply for spouse and kids, although the process depends on the particular graduate certificate, master’s degree, PhD degree and a few bachelor’s degrees.
In Canada, with a two-year master’s degree, spouse open work permit is discussed as possible, while with a PG diploma it is not allowed now. With a two-year master’s, PhD and a few bachelor’s degrees, spouse visa is possible. New Zealand and Canada both give an option for family, spouse and kids, and you can travel with the entire family together.
21. PR Pathway
PR is possible in both countries. In New Zealand, if you make the right selection of job in the green list, the PR pathway is there. In some options, one year of experience is required. After a master’s degree, the discussion says you do not require experience; you need to get a full-time job offer letter with the median wage of the country in the green list, and then you are eligible for PR. It is described as a simple process, not an easy process.
Canada also gives multiple options. The right selection of job and right selection of location helps in getting PR. People who are ready to compete and are skilled can get PR in both countries. You need to have the right awareness and be flexible to do the right type of jobs in the right location.
If you are not fussy about a particular type of job and are willing to shift to the location where you can get PR, then you can get PR. In Canada and New Zealand, people having the right skill set and right job profile and getting support from the employer are getting PR. PR is possible in both countries.
22. Access to Australia and USA
Both countries also provide access to a bigger country. New Zealand gives access to Australia and Canada gives access to USA. People who are unable to go to Australia because Australia is not giving study visa right now can choose New Zealand, because after settlement in New Zealand they can move towards Australia.
People who are unable to go to USA can choose Canada because after getting PR and citizenship in Canada, they get easy access to USA. These two countries have a bigger country attached with them and you get access to that country after getting citizenship in New Zealand and Canada.
From Canada, access to USA is discussed as particularly important because USA is a far bigger economy and its population is far higher compared to Australia. Combining Canada and USA becomes a huge economy and gives access to a really big market.
If you start a franchise for a business, such as a financial business, grocery business, logistics company or any kind of work, you can get access to the entire USA and get business from USA. USA businesses expand in Canada and Canada businesses expand in USA. That is how they cater to each other in the countries.
23. The Choice Between Canada and New Zealand
Both countries are good and both can be applied for. If you are eligible and have proper funds and proper financial capacity, New Zealand study visa can also be applied for. The choice depends upon eligibility, financial capacity, study, PR, job and settlement.
The countries discussed are secure countries and all four countries are described as quite good for living and settlement. If you are ambitious, Canada is described as a better option. The choice of country should also be looked at beyond the current condition of the country.
If you are choosing a country at the age of 25 or 30, you are choosing that country for the next 60 years. The example given is a stock: if you have chosen a good stock and it does not perform well for two years, you do not simply sell it. Similar is the choice of country. If you have chosen the right country, even if the condition is not really great right now, you have chosen the country for the next 60 years and not just for the duration of study.
You are not going to come back after completion of study. The current condition of the country is therefore not the only thing to look at. You should see the previous 50 years of the country’s growth. The countries are going to correct themselves and get back on track.
24. Choose the Country for PR, Jobs and Settlement
Do not choose the country according to the current condition of the country. See whether you are going to get PR in that country. Jobs are available in all the countries and you should be able to provide the skill so that you get a job. Jobs are available in India as well and income is available in India as well.
Even in the poorest countries there are billionaires living, and people are able to get rich. The point is not to go behind exceptions. In general, if you are capable, you are going to get work and a job. Right now, jobs are available in both countries and people are earning really good amounts as well. Opportunities are there and they are going to make the difference.
There can be differences between countries because of opportunities. But majorly, in New Zealand and Canada, not much difference is going to be there. A little difference is always going to be there because of the higher population. When the population is higher, more opportunities are there because the country itself internally is able to cater to each other and generate business. If the population is higher and less scattered, you get better opportunities in that country.
Canada or New Zealand?
