International

Why do our students choose NAIT?

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is located in Edmonton, Alberta, and is one of Canada's largest and leading polytechnic schools. Grow your meaningful career with hands-on and applied learning, small class sizes and using the latest technology.

  • Alberta is the only Canadian province with no provincial sales tax
  • Free health care for international students in Alberta
  • Edmonton was recently named Canada’s first UNESCO Learning City, committed to lifelong learning
  • Beautiful downtown campus connected by public transportation to Edmonton’s main entertainment district
View all programs for international students

Regarding the recent changes to PGWP eligibility from IRCC:

  • If you submitted your study permit application before Nov. 1, 2024 and are applying for a PGWP on or after Nov. 1, 2024, you must meet the new Language Requirement.
  • If you submit your study permit application on or after Nov. 1, 2024, you must meet the new Language Requirement and Field of Study Requirement, to be eligible to apply for a PGWP.

For more information, review the official guidelines.  For the latest, check out this FAQ which includes the list of NAIT programs on the eligible field of study list. 

Answers to your top questions

Our international team travels and supports applicants from countries around the world to find their best program. See below for their answers to your top questions about your future at NAIT and in Canada.

What can I study?

NAIT offers over 100 programs, and several of them are only available at our school. These programs include:

  • Business
  • Construction/Architecture
  • Computers & IT
  • Culinary & Hospitality
  • Design & Communications
  • Engineering Technologies
  • English Language

See full list of international programs

How much will it cost to study?

This is the approximate cost of studying at NAIT for 2 semesters. Plan your personal finances with an estimate of NAIT and living costs. International tuition and fees cost estimate for one year NAIT LIving Costs Estimate 2022

Will I be able to immigrate after I graduate from NAIT?

NAIT is a designated learning institution (DLI# O18713200642) with programs eligible for the study permit and post-graduate work permit.

You will likely be able to apply for permanent residency if you:

NAIT has a team of licensed, immigration professionals on campus to help you with this process.

What is the English requirement for my country?

Unless you come from one of the English Language Proficiency exempt countries, the average requirement is IELTS 6.0, with no section less than 6.0.

However, some programs may be different. Please check the English requirements for your program of interest.

How do I get a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from NAIT?

Once you have paid your tuition deposit to accept an offer of admission to NAIT, NAIT will request a PAL for you. NAIT will notify you by email when your PAL is available; you do not need to contact us to request a PAL. In most cases, you can expect your PAL within seven (7) business days of paying your deposit.

The PAL email will be sent to your email listed on your profile on MyNAIT

For more information on NAIT's PAL process, review this page to learn more.

Can I work while I am studying at NAIT?

If you are studying full-time in a designated learning program at NAIT, then you can likely work.

Can my spouse/family come with me?

As IRCC announced in January 2024, there will soon be changes to the eligibility requirements to get an initial open work permit as the spouse or common-law partner of an international student.

At this time, if you are or will be studying full-time in a certificate, diploma, or degree program that is at least 8 months long, your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit. However, when the changes noted above come into effect, only spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs will be eligible for an open work permit, which means the spouses of NAIT students will no longer be eligible to apply for an initial open work permit. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has not said when this change will come into effect. View IRCC's process to apply for a spousal/common-law partner work permit.

Spouses of international students extending existing open work permits will be allowed to do so even after initial eligibility is restricted to spouses of graduate and doctoral students. As such, if your spouse is already in Canada with an open work permit, this IRCC announcement should not impact you. If your spouse needs to extend their open work permit, you should give a copy of your study permit, proof of your relationship, and a Confirmation of Enrollment letter to your spouse/common-law partner to include in their application. 

If you are studying in ESL, Academic Upgrading, open studies, or in a certificate program shorter than 8 months long, your spouse/common-law partner is not eligible for an open work permit.

Where can I live?

 Edmonton has many options for living Students can rent full houses, condominiums, apartments.

Many students meet their potential roommates at the International Centre, International Centre events, or on orientation day.

We also have contracts with two universities for student housing—you can stay in their residence and take the transit or bus directly to NAIT

How do I apply?

As an international student, view our application checklist for instructions on  how to apply to NAIT. We also have the following tools to help you fill in and submit your application.

Review international how to apply guide

How to apply Step 1: Apply using NAIT's International Application for Admission

How to apply Step 2: Submitting your documents

How to apply Step 3: Review your MyNAIT portal

How to apply Step 4: Accepting your offer to NAIT

Applications open on:

  • August 1 for the following Fall semester
  • January 1 for the following Winter semester
  • Stay tuned for Spring semester date
Chat with a student ambassador

Start a conversation with a NAIT student to learn more about studying, living, and working in Edmonton.   Find out more

Admission Deferral

New students experiencing circumstances beyond their control may submit a request to defer their admission to a future term.   Find out more

Studying in Canada at NAIT

We asked current NAIT international students why they decided to study at NAIT. Watch these videos to learn about their stories as they moved from their home countries to Canada.

Ruschelle's Advice | Jamaica

Ruschelle, graduate of NAIT’s Applied Financial Services certificate, shares her secret to achieving her dreams of a successful career and a new life in Canada.

Natalia's Story | Brazil

Natalia moved to Edmonton to attain a degree in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at NAIT. Join Natalia as she braves the challenges of pursuing her dream career, even when it takes her far from home.

Dishant's Story | India

Dishant is an international engineering student from India. Join Dishant as he enters a new world of discovery while studying in the Bachelor of Technology program at NAIT.

Karen's Story | Colombia

Karen moved to Edmonton after learning about NAIT. She wanted to study something that was hands-on and technology-based so she could find a good job when she graduates.

International viewbook

International program catalogue

Learn about the benefits of studying at NAIT as an international student in this booklet. Details of NAIT programs can be found by searching the programs section of this website.

Get a quick overview of all programs available to international students. This study guide will provide you with program requirements, description and tuition. As well as admission requirements for NAIT.

English language courses

The official language of instruction at NAIT is English. As such, you will need to meet certain English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for admission and to be successful in your studies. NAIT offers engaging and flexible English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to help students achieve their ELP requirement. 

Contact us

NAIT International Advising

Do you have questions about your application? Not sure where to start? Let us help!

Contact Student Service Centre

Meet a NAIT representative

NAIT representatives travel throughout the year to meet future students! We can help you understand your opportunities and help you apply.

Find a NAIT event in your country

International Authorized Agents

NAIT has authorized agents around the world to assist prospective international students who plan to apply to NAIT. Agents can help with:

NAIT applications: tuition fees, forms and program information

Transcript certification: NAIT requires original transcripts when applying for a NAIT program

NAIT also accepts photocopies of transcripts if they are provided with our Authorized Agents'  stamp on the photocopies

See list of International Agents

International Training and TVET Capacity Development

NAIT has worked with industries, corporations, and government organizations delivering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) capacity development and customized training solutions all over the world. NAIT's international experience ranges from workforce and instructor training to complete TVET institution-building projects, we can provide a tailored solution that meets your organization's distinct needs. 

Learn more or make an inquiry today 

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