Canada Study Permit Cost in 2026
The real fees and up-front money you should budget for — from the CAD 150 permit fee to your GIC.
The two costs students always confuse
There is a useful distinction to draw before budgeting: the fees you pay to apply, and the money you must show that you have. The application fees are small and fixed — the government study-permit fee is CAD 150 and biometrics are CAD 85 per person. The money you show, by contrast, is large: for applications on or after 1 September 2025, a single applicant outside Quebec must demonstrate CAD 22,895 in living costs for the first year, on top of tuition and travel.
For Indian students, planning both sides early avoids nasty surprises. A GIC of about CAD 20,000 is not a fee — you get it back in instalments after you arrive — but you do need the money up front. Add a tuition deposit, insurance and travel, and the up-front cash outlay is real even though much of it is recoverable or spent on your own education. The table below separates fixed government fees from the larger amounts you plan for. Government fees are generally stable, but confirm the current amounts before you pay.
Study permit cost breakdown
| Item | Typical amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Study-permit application fee | CAD 150 | The core government fee to apply for the permit. |
| Biometrics fee | CAD 85 | Fingerprints and photo taken at a Visa Application Centre. |
| GIC | ~CAD 20,000 | Held with a Canadian bank; returned to you in instalments after arrival. |
| Tuition deposit | Varies by program | An initial tuition payment often required by your DLI. |
| Medical exam | Varies by clinic | Payable to a panel physician if a medical is required. |
| Health insurance | Varies by province | Coverage for the period before provincial or student plans begin. |
Budgeting the money you must show
Keeping your budget credible
Officers assess not just whether you have enough money, but whether it is genuine and available. Pay government fees from traceable accounts, keep receipts, and make sure the funds you show are seasoned rather than freshly deposited. Remember the SDS fast-track stream was discontinued in late 2024, so there is no shortcut path with a fixed lower cost — everyone follows the standard process.
Budget for the money you must show, not just the fees you pay. Government fees such as the CAD 150 permit fee and CAD 85 biometrics are stable but should be confirmed before paying, and the CAD 22,895 living-cost figure is reviewed periodically — always check the current amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan every cost before you apply
Future Link Consultants (RCIC R506940) helps Indian students budget both the fixed fees and the funds they must show — GIC, tuition deposit and insurance included. Clear planning, no guaranteed outcomes.