A Vanmates homestay is a private, furnished room in the home of a vetted Canadian family — with two meals a day, real cultural immersion, and someone who has your back from the moment you land. Every family passes a background check and home inspection, and a local coordinator supports both you and your hosts throughout your stay. We've been placing newcomers with Canadian families since 2016, and most of our students book before they ever arrive — with a confirmed address for their study permit and an arrival plan waiting.
Standard from $1,300/mo · near-campus $1,500/mo · under-18 from $1,600/mo · two meals a day, all-in
Homestay is the warmest way to land in a new country. You get your own room and independence, but you're never alone — there's a family at the dinner table and a coordinator on WhatsApp.
Furnished & ready on day one
A private, furnished bedroom in a family home — bed, desk, storage, Wi-Fi, and heating all included. You share the kitchen, living room, and the rhythm of the household, but the room is yours to close the door and study or rest.
Breakfast & dinner, home-cooked
Most homes include breakfast and dinner on weekdays plus most weekend meals — real home cooking, and a chance to practise English or French every night. Tell us about dietary needs and we match you to a family that can cook for them.
Learn Canada from the inside
Living with locals is the fastest way to build fluency and feel at home. Families show you the neighborhood, the transit, and the small everyday things that no guidebook covers — from grocery runs to how recycling day works.
From the airport to the front door
We arrange airport pickup, send a self-check-in guide, and give you a confirmed address for your study permit before you fly. A local coordinator is one WhatsApp message away, 24/7, in your language, for your whole stay.
You're moving into a stranger's home in a new country — so we do the diligence for you. No family joins Vanmates without clearing all three steps, and we re-check every year.
Homestay isn't for everyone — but for the right student it's the safest, easiest way to start life in Canada. It tends to fit three groups especially well.
A built-in support system
If this is your first time living abroad, a homestay hands you a ready-made routine, cooked meals, and people who notice if you're struggling. Most of our homestay students are under 25 and arriving in Canada for the first time.
Guardianship & supervision built in
Canadian schools and IRCC often require a custodian for minors. Our under-18 program pairs you with experienced families and provides the notarized guardianship documents and closer supervision that younger students need.
Fluency by immersion
Language-school and exchange students who want to improve English or French fast do it best around the dinner table. Homestay terms align with common 4–12 week study blocks, so it's easy to book for a single term.
Homestay is open to newcomers of most ages, with a dedicated track for minors. Here's what we need to place you.
One monthly price covers your room, two meals a day, Wi-Fi, utilities, and 24/7 support. Prices are the same in Vancouver and Toronto — the number you see is the number you pay.
| Tier | Vancouver | Toronto | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard homestay | $1,300/mo | $1,300/mo | Private room, two meals a day, Wi-Fi & utilities |
| Near-campus homestay | $1,500/mo | $1,500/mo | Same, in a home within a short commute of your school |
| Under-18 (supervised) | from $1,600/mo | from $1,600/mo | Everything above + guardianship & custodian documents |
Pricing last reviewed: July 2026. All prices in CAD and include meals, Wi-Fi, utilities, and 24/7 WhatsApp support. A one-time placement fee may apply — we confirm your full total before you pay.
Pulled directly from our internal inventory — real host homes accepting placements today. If nothing matches, you'll always get a next step.
Three ways to live as a newcomer in Canada. Here's how they compare on the things that matter most in your first year.
| Homestay | Co-living | Student residence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From (all-in) | $1,300/mo | $975/mo | $1,400+/mo |
| Meals | Two meals a day included | Self-catered, shared kitchen | Optional paid meal plan |
| Who you live with | A vetted local family | 4–6 housemates your age | Other students, dorm-style |
| Best for | Under-25s & first arrivals | Social, independent students | On-campus first-years |
| Support | Host family + 24/7 coordinator | House manager + 24/7 WhatsApp | Residence staff, business hours |
| Under-18 friendly | Yes — guardianship program | Case by case | Rarely |
Homestays are available in two of Canada's biggest student cities, with the same all-in pricing and vetting in each. Pick a city to see homes and neighborhoods.
Live with a vetted family near UBC, SFU, or BCIT — beaches, mountains, and a short transit ride to campus. From $1,300/mo, all-in.
Explore Vancouver →Family homes across the GTA near U of T, TMU, and York — connected by TTC and GO Transit. From $1,300/mo, all-in.
Explore Toronto →"I was 17 and terrified to move to Canada alone. My host family met me at the airport and had dinner waiting. Six months later they feel like my second family — and the guardianship paperwork was all sorted before I flew."
"Two home-cooked meals a day, my own room, and my English improved faster than in class. Everything was one price with no hidden bills, and the coordinator answered every WhatsApp within minutes."
Verified student reviews. See our cancellation policy and community guidelines for the full terms.
Send your details and we'll match you to a vetted host family — meals, city, budget, and any needs like an under-18 placement. We'll also add you to the priority list when new families join.
A Vanmates homestay is a private, furnished bedroom in a vetted Canadian family's home. The all-in monthly price covers two meals a day (breakfast and dinner on weekdays, plus most weekend meals), Wi-Fi, utilities, and access to shared living spaces. You also get arrival support — airport pickup arrangements, a self-check-in guide, and 24/7 WhatsApp help in your language. There are no separate utility or internet bills.
Every Vanmates host family passes a criminal background check and an in-person home inspection before they can host, and we re-check them each year. We meet the family, confirm the private room meets our standards, and review house rules together. After you move in, a local coordinator stays in touch with both you and the family, so if anything isn't right we step in quickly. We've hosted students with Canadian families since 2016.
Yes. Homestay is our recommended option for minors, and we run a dedicated under-18 program that adds custodianship and guardianship support required for study permits. Host families in this program are experienced with younger students, provide closer supervision, and coordinate with your school. Under-18 homestays start from CAD$1,600/month and include the notarized custodian documents many Canadian schools and IRCC ask for.
Vanmates homestays start at CAD$1,300/month for a standard private room with two meals a day. Near-campus homes run about CAD$1,500/month, and our supervised under-18 program starts from CAD$1,600/month with guardianship support included. Every price is all-in — meals, Wi-Fi, utilities, and 24/7 support are covered — so the number you see is the number you pay. Prices are the same across Vancouver and Toronto.
Yes — most of our homestay students book before they land. We share a profile of the host family, a video walkthrough of your room, and the exact total cost up front, then hold the placement with a deposit. You receive a confirmed address for your study permit and an arrival plan before you fly. Because families and rooms are limited, we recommend booking 4–6 weeks ahead of your start date.
The full guide to living with a Vanmates host family — meals, rules, matching, and what to expect week one.
Read the homestay guide →Explore homestay options district by district in Vancouver, with neighborhood detail and available homes.
Browse district homestays →Prefer housemates your own age to a family? See how our managed shared homes work, from $975/mo.
Compare co-living →Choose your city or get matched by our team — we typically reply on WhatsApp within an hour.