Homestays in Canada · Vancouver · Toronto · Montréal

Move in with a Canadian family.

A private room, two home-cooked meals a day, and a real family waiting to welcome you. The warmest way to land in Canada as an international student.

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45+

Host families

4.96

Average rating

1,200+

Students placed

My host mom taught me how to make maple-glazed salmon. I'll cook it for my own family someday.

Lucía, 19 · Mexico City

Sunday brunch at the Kowalski home, Burnaby.

What is a homestay?

More than a room. A family.

A Vanmates homestay places you in the private bedroom of a vetted Canadian host family's home. You share meals with them, celebrate holidays, and experience daily Canadian life — not from a hostel bunk or an empty apartment, but from inside a home.

It's the fastest way to learn conversational English, build confidence, and feel safe as you start school or work in a new country. Especially for students under 25 or first-time travelers, the emotional cushion of a family makes the leap manageable.

Every family has been interviewed, background-checked, and home-visited by our local team. You're not matched with a stranger — you're matched with a household we know personally.

Why homestay

Homestay vs. the other options.

Home-cooked meals

Two per day

English conversation practice

Limited

With housemates

All day, every day

Cultural immersion

Mixed

Full Canadian home

Furnished private room

Bunk

Airport pickup

Paid add-on

Often included

24/7 family support

House manager

Always

Good for students under 20

If mature

Ideal

What's included

One price, everything covered.

Private room

Your own furnished bedroom with bed, desk, wardrobe, linens, and storage. Your space, your rules.

Two meals a day

Breakfast and dinner with the family. Weekday lunches are typically self-serve. Dietary needs accommodated.

Fast Wi-Fi & utilities

High-speed internet, heat, electricity, water — all baked into the monthly rate. No add-ons.

Laundry access

In-home washer and dryer, typically once a week. Some families do it for you — most let you use the machines freely.

Vetted host family

Every family is home-visited, interviewed, and background-checked. We meet them in person before hosting.

24/7 Vanmates support

WhatsApp your local house coordinator anytime. English, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin — we'll figure it out.

Airport welcome

Pickup often included, otherwise $65 CAD. Your host family meets you with a welcome pack on arrival.

Flexible stays

From 4 weeks to full academic years. Most families prefer a minimum of 4 weeks for proper settling in.

Common questions

The things every family wants to know.

Parents of younger students often have the most questions. We've answered the most common ones below — but we're on WhatsApp if you'd rather have a conversation.

Talk to our team

How are families vetted?+

Every family completes an application, a phone interview, an in-home visit from our local coordinator, and a criminal background check. We only onboard families we'd send our own friends to.

What if the family isn't a good fit?+

Tell us within the first 14 days. We'll relocate you to another family — no penalty, no paperwork. Fit matters more than pride, and we'd rather move you than have anyone unhappy.

Can I request a family with kids / no kids / pets?+

Yes. During booking you tell us about your preferences — kids, pets, religion, diet, sleep schedule, hobbies. We match you with families whose profile and household match yours.

Are meals strict? What if I have allergies or I'm vegetarian?+

Every family accommodates dietary restrictions — halal, vegetarian, vegan, nut-free, gluten-free. Tell us what you need during booking and we'll match you with families who already cook that way.

What about house rules and curfews?+

Every family has a simple written "house guide" covering quiet hours, guests, shared spaces, and meal times. For students under 18, most families set a weeknight curfew. For adult students, curfews are unusual.

Can parents contact the host family directly?+

Yes, especially for students under 18. We facilitate an intro call before arrival, and parents can reach our coordinator on WhatsApp any time for a welfare check. We provide monthly updates for students under 16.