Destination comparison · For Sri Lankan students
Canada vs New Zealand — which is right for you?
Both reward students who want to work and settle, but at different scale and speed. Canada is bigger with a stronger PR pipeline; New Zealand is smaller, often cheaper to live in, and tends to decide visas faster.
compare_arrows See them side by sideCompare destinations (pick 2–3)
Pick at least 2 destinations (max 3).
 Canada |  New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Year-1 cost (LKR) | LKR 9M – LKR 18.5M | LKR 7.9M – LKR 11.5M |
| Funds to show for visa | LKR 4.8M+ living + tuition | LKR 3.8M+ living + tuition |
| Student visa | Study Permit (standard stream — SDS closed Nov 2024) | Fee-Paying Student Visa |
| Visa processing | Standard processing: 8–16 weeks (SDS no longer available) | 4–8 weeks |
| Post-study work | Up to 3 years (PGWP) | Up to 3 years post-study work |
| Part-time work (term) | 24 hrs/week | 20 hrs/week |
| Typical IELTS | 6.0 – 6.5 | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| Bachelor's length | 4 years | 3 years |
| Master's length | 1–2 years | 1–2 years |
| Main intake | September (also Jan & May) | February (also July) |
Still torn between them?
A counsellor will weigh your profile, budget and goals against each — free.
Still can't decide?
A counsellor will weigh Canada and New Zealand against your academic profile, budget and goals — and tell you honestly which gives you the best odds. Free for students.
Ask which fits me