School Administrator Cheng Lim oversees admissions and runs the school office. Her compassionate, professional manner and extensive knowledge of and experience with immigration equip her to help students and their families with immigration questions and challenges.

Student Services Co-ordinator Myrna Widmer offers support and advice to international students and their families, Myrna is a trained ESL teacher, and has a solid understanding of the needs of international students. Her job is to make sure students are set up for success.

Government-approved program
Hands-on training in a working kitchen
Teaching staff are working chefs as well as teachers
Small classes, individual attention
On the job training, job placement
Fast track to Canadian residency

Live and study in Canada!

At Etoile Culinary Arts International, we make sure international students live and study in a safe, supported and comfortable environment. Students live in the community, rather than in an institution which limits their interaction with community residents. The vibrant immigrant community in Maple Creek will provide students with social and emotional support. Successful completion of the course makes you eligible for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program - Students.

School staff have a great deal of experience in cross-cultural communications and relationship-building, and look forward to introducing the Canadian experience to international students. From hiking in the hills, to branding cattle, to learning about wine, our international students will learn a lot about Canadian and Saskatchewan culture in a small-town, safe environment.

Because ECAI contracts program delivery from SIAST, international students must register with SIAST through ECAI in order to be eligible for student visas. Students’ day-to-day dealings are through ECAI, but the government requires all registration occur through the SIAST admissions office. Registration to the SIAST admissions office will be done by ECAI. Applications to be filled in should be downloaded from ECAI website. In any case, our agent, Universal Immigration, can answer your questions.

As with all visas, there are rules international students must follow. These rules and regulations are laid out in detail on the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration website.

There is an English language requirement, and students must meet several conditions in order to be eligible for entry into Canada. All classes are conducted in English.

International Student Admissions

ECAI offers the professional cooking certificate to students from around the world. An internationally recognized training program, student housing, competitive tuition rates, a safe environment and affordability all make ECAI appealing to international students and their families.

Because of the special contractual relationship Etoile Culinary Arts International (ECAI) enjoys with the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), some of our application conditions and procedures do not correspond exactly with those on the SIAST website. All applications and requests for information should be directed to Universal Immigration at culinaryarts@universalimmigration.com. While ECAI handles the application and assessment process, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) requires that SIAST issue the acceptance letter and receive the tuition fees. This means that you will have limited but very important contact with SIAST.

ECAI is still accepting applications for its first intake of students which is scheduled for February 2013 (subject to change). ECAI has limited spaces in the program; the earlier you get your application in, the higher chance of you getting a slot in the program. As well, keep in mind that the student visa process can take up to 11 weeks; if your application is not complete or is received at the deadline, you may not gain entry to Canada.

Steps Involved in Coming to ECAI

Step 1: Review the Admissions Requirements

Step 2: Review the Visa Requirements

An international student is a visitor to Canada who is legally permitted to study in Canada in accordance with the Canada Immigration Act. For more information regarding studying in Canada, please check the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web page. Applicants are also advised to check on the visa office responsible for the country or region where they live for other specific local instructions.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

Step 4: Submit Application

Submit a printed copy of the application form and all the required documents, as described in the admissions requirements and send them by mail to:

Universal Immigration
50 Cottrelle Blvd, Unit 26
Brampton, Ontario
Canada L6S 0E1

Photocopies of documents are acceptable for initial assessment. However, a final decision on the application status will not be made until we receive all the required original and photocopies of documents. We recommend you provide us with all the required original copies as soon as possible to avoid delays.

All original documentation submitted, except for your official academic transcripts, will be returned to you by mail.

If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must submit translated documents. We will verify their validity through an internal process. When transcripts or documents are not in English or documents do not clearly state your achievement level, or do not clearly indicate that you are academically qualified to enter the program, ECAI may request that the International Qualification Assessment Service (IQAS) evaluate your application. This requires a CDN $100 fee. We will notify you if an IQAS assessment is necessary.

Please ensure that you make a copy of your application package for your records.

Step 5: Notice of Acknowledgement

ECAI will notify applicants by email once the application has been received.

Step 6: Receive Student Authorization (Acceptance Letter)

When you are admitted into the program, SIAST will send you a letter of acceptance, because SIAST is the licensing body registered with the Government of Canada.

Step 7: Apply for Visa

You can make application for a Study Permit from any Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate abroad.

Step 8: Pay Tuition Fees

Payment of your tuition must be submitted to SIAST in compliance with Citizenship and Immigration Canada regulations, before you arrive in Canada.

Non-Discrimination Policy

ECAI does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or handicap (disability). In the case of mental or physical disability, each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the demanding physical and mental nature of cooking. ECAI’s facilities meet the public health standards, but are not equipped to accommodate all individuals with physical impairment.