Best SIM Cards for International Students in Canada

Canada has three major telecom operators, namely: Bell, Rogers, and Telus. The other small operators, such as Fido and Chattr, do not own their own infrastructure and lease it from these operators. We have two options available for International Students, Work Permit Holders, Visitors, and Permanent Residency Holders: Fido and Rogers. Both plans are the same, differing only in Internet Connection. Fido provides a 4G LTE connection and offers a plan with 50GB of monthly internet data, while Rogers works on a 5G Connection and has a 100GB monthly data allowance for Speed Internet.

Fido's plan costs $30 per month, and Roger's plan costs $40 per month. It comes with 50GB/100GB of monthly data, unlimited calling Canada-wide, and unlimited local and Canada-wide text messages. The SIM card is free to apply for, and you don't have to pay a single penny until your first bill. The SIM card includes 1000 minutes of talk time to India & some selected countries such as Bangladesh, China (including Hong Kong), Mexico, and the United Kingdom as a limited-time offer. This plan is available for purchase worldwide, excluding Canada. If you purchase a similar scheme in Canada, it will cost $60 per month for 100GB of Internet data and an additional $5 for International calling. Thus, this is the best Canadian SIM card for International Students, Work Permit Holders, and Permanent Residents.

Earlier, international students and immigrants had to visit the telecom operator's shop to get a new SIM card after arriving in Canada. There, they have to submit documents such as a copy of their passport and Canadian visa, and sign some documents physically to activate the SIM. Then, the operator activated the SIM card after a few hours. Many telecom operators in Canada still follow this method. The students have to wait 2-3 days before connecting with their parents or borrowing someone's phone to update their parents about the journey.

To resolve the tedious problem, in collaboration with Fido & Rogers, we have launched a SIM card. The physical SIM card is delivered to the student's address in selected countries, such as India, the Philippines, and Brazil, along with a phone number, and is activated immediately upon the student's arrival in Canada. So they don't need to wait 2-3 days before connecting with their loved ones. They can start calling their family members as soon as they land in Canada from their mobile phone. For other countries, they have an option to choose between eSIM and Airport Pickup.

Since this is a postpaid SIM Card, you are not expected to pay anything upfront. The Invoice will be generated once you reach Canada and start using the Connection. You have to pay the monthly bill directly to the telecom operator via the Mobile App or website.

Rogers is a leading telecom operator in Canada, offering affordable prices for calls and internet access to international students and other incoming individuals. Some of the core features are

• Most Affordable and High-speed Internet Data
• Unlimited Calling and Text-Messages across Canada
• Better 5G Coverage across Canada
• International Calling and Text-SMS (Best for International Students)

Our Fido and Rogers plans give you 1,000 minutes of international calls and unlimited international texts every month. You can call Bangladesh, China (including Hong Kong), India, Mexico, and the UK from Canada at no extra cost. Other companies often charge CAD 5 more per month for this, but it’s included free in our plans. This makes it easy for international students to stay connected with family and friends without worrying about high calling fees.

The activation method varies based on your SIM Card delivery option. You must follow simple steps to activate the SIM Card.

Physical SIM Card: If you opt for a Physical SIM Card with delivery, please communicate the activation date to our team during the Order process or once you book your Flight tickets. They will automatically activate your SIM card on your travel date. Insert the SIM Card into the mobile phone after arriving in Canada or during the last flight departure.

eSIM: If you opt for an eSIM, it will be delivered to you via your registered email address. You can activate the SIM Card simply by scanning the QR Code.

Airport Pickup: If you opt to pick up the SIM Card from the airport of arrival, the representative will assist you in activating it.

If you’re experiencing trouble activating your service, a dedicated customer support agent will be available to assist you whenever you need help. You can reach them by chat, email, or phone, and an agent will be with you in moments.

In Canada, postpaid mobile connections are more popular than prepaid connections. Here are some of the benefits.

• Most Widely Used: Approximately 90% of the population in Canada uses a Postpaid connection over a prepaid connection due to enhanced service quality.
• Credit Score Builder: Timely bill payments via Credit Card or Auto Debit boost your Credit Score.
• Cheaper & Affordable: In Canada, it’s often more cost-effective to purchase a Postpaid Connection over a prepaid one.
• No Upfront Charges: You will be charged on a monthly basis and do not have to pay anything upfront.
• Free Device: You can bundle a SIM Card with a Mobile phone at a lower cost or even at zero cost.