If you are planning to study in Canada, understanding the Canada study permit fees is an important part of your financial planning. The application fee itself is relatively straightforward, but the total amount you need to budget for can be much higher once biometrics, tuition, living expenses, travel, medical examinations and other possible costs are included.
In 2026, the Canadian government lists the study permit application fee at CAD $150. Most applicants who are required to provide biometrics must also pay a CAD $85 biometrics fee, making the basic government application cost CAD $235 for a single applicant who needs biometrics.
However, the CAD $235 should not be confused with the total cost of studying in Canada. You must also demonstrate that you can financially support yourself while studying, including your tuition, living expenses and transportation.
This guide explains the Canada study permit cost, what fees are mandatory, which expenses are separate, and how to create a realistic budget before applying.
Canada Study Permit Fees at a Glance
Here is a simple overview of the main costs you may encounter:
| Expense | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Study permit application | CAD $150 |
| Biometrics, individual applicant | CAD $85 |
| Basic federal application total when biometrics are required | CAD $235 |
| Tuition | Varies by school and program |
| Living expenses | Varies by location and family size |
| Transportation to Canada | Varies |
| Medical examination | Varies if required |
| Police certificate | Varies if required |
| Language test | Varies |
| Translation/certification | Varies |
| Québec CAQ application | CAD $135 in 2026, where applicable |
The first two amounts are federal immigration fees. The remaining expenses depend on your personal circumstances, school, province or territory and application requirements. For Québec, international students generally need a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before applying for the federal study permit, and the temporary selection application fee is CAD $135 from January 1, 2026.
What Is the Canada Study Permit Application Fee?
The Canada study permit fee is CAD $150 for a new study permit. This is the fee charged by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process the application.
The fee is not the same as tuition. Paying the study permit fee does not pay your college or university, accommodation or other education-related expenses.
You normally pay the immigration fee when submitting your application. IRCC provides an online payment system for eligible immigration applications.
Because immigration fees can change, applicants should always check the official IRCC fee list immediately before submitting an application.
How Much Is the Canada Biometrics Fee?
Many study permit applicants are required to provide biometrics, which means fingerprints and a photograph.
For an individual applicant, the current biometrics fee is CAD $85. For eligible families applying together, the maximum family biometrics fee is CAD $170.
If you need biometrics, your basic federal cost can therefore look like this:
Study permit fee: CAD $150
Biometrics: CAD $85
Total: CAD $235
The biometrics fee covers the collection of fingerprints and a digital photograph. IRCC advises applicants who need biometrics to pay the fee when submitting their application to help avoid delays.
Not every applicant necessarily needs to provide biometrics. Your individual circumstances determine whether you are required to do so.
Is CAD $235 the Total Cost of a Canadian Study Permit?
No.
This is one of the most important points to understand when researching Canada student visa fees or Canada study permit costs.
The CAD $235 figure represents the basic federal application and biometrics fees for a single applicant who needs biometrics. It does not include the money you need to pay for your education and living costs.
For a study permit application, IRCC expects you to demonstrate that you have enough money to cover your tuition, living expenses and transportation for yourself and accompanying family members, where applicable.
Therefore, your real study-abroad budget should include both:
- Immigration application expenses
- The cost of studying and living in Canada
This distinction can prevent a common mistake: assuming that having enough money to pay the application fee means you have enough money for the study permit application.
Tuition Fees for International Students
Tuition is usually one of the largest expenses for international students in Canada.
There is no single Canada study permit tuition fee because tuition is determined by the educational institution, program, level of study and other factors.
A student applying for a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, diploma or vocational program may face very different tuition costs.
Before applying for a study permit, check your school’s official tuition schedule. Your letter of acceptance and school documentation should help you determine how much you need to budget.
IRCC’s financial-support guidance recognizes proof of paid tuition and housing as possible evidence of financial support. Applicants may also need to demonstrate access to funds for living expenses and transportation.
Do not use a generic tuition estimate when preparing your financial plan. Your actual school invoice or official tuition information is a much stronger basis for your budget.
Proof of Funds for a Canada Study Permit
Proof of funds is different from the study permit application fee.
A student may pay the CAD $150 application fee and CAD $85 biometrics fee, but the application can still be refused if the applicant cannot adequately demonstrate financial support.
IRCC says students must prove they have enough money for tuition, living expenses and return transportation.
Depending on your circumstances, acceptable evidence can include documents such as:
- Proof of tuition and housing payments
- A Canadian bank account in your name
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), where applicable
- A student or education loan
- Bank statements
- A scholarship or other recognized funding
- Financial support from another source, supported by appropriate documentation
IRCC specifically advises applicants to provide evidence showing that they can access the required funds.
The important lesson is simple: the study permit fee is only one small part of the financial requirement.
Other Canada Student Visa Costs to Budget For
When people search for the “Canada student visa fee,” they may actually be asking about the complete cost of preparing to study in Canada.
Several additional expenses may apply.
1. Medical Examination
Some applicants may be required to complete an immigration medical examination.
The cost is not included in the CAD $150 study permit fee. The price can vary depending on the country, approved medical professional and services required.
If IRCC instructs you to complete a medical examination, use an approved panel physician and ask about the full cost before attending.
2. Police Certificate
Depending on your circumstances, IRCC may require a police certificate.
Any fee charged by the relevant authority is separate from the study permit application fee.
3. Language Test
If your school requires an English or French language test, such as an approved language examination, that cost is separate from your immigration fees.
The exact price depends on the test provider and location.
4. Document Translation
Documents that are not in English or French may require translation according to IRCC requirements.
You may also have costs associated with certification, notarization or obtaining official copies.
5. Travel Costs
Your financial planning should include transportation to Canada.
IRCC specifically considers transportation costs as part of the student’s financial-support requirements.
Airfare can vary considerably depending on your country, destination, season and airline, so it is better to obtain a realistic quotation before finalizing your budget.
6. Accommodation and Living Expenses
Rent, food, transportation, clothing, phone services and other everyday expenses can make up a significant part of your Canadian study budget.
The amount you need depends heavily on where you live.
A student living in a major metropolitan area may have very different housing costs from someone studying in a smaller Canadian community.
For that reason, do not treat the immigration minimum as a complete personal spending budget. You should create a separate monthly budget based on the city where you will actually study.
Canada Study Permit Cost for Québec
Students planning to study in Québec should pay particular attention to the province’s additional requirements.
For many international students, the process involves obtaining a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before applying for the federal study permit.
For applications beginning January 1, 2026, Québec lists the temporary selection application fee for an international student as CAD $135. The fee is adjusted annually and is non-refundable in most cases.
This means a student who needs a CAQ could have these basic application charges:
- Federal study permit: CAD $150
- Federal biometrics: CAD $85, if required
- Québec temporary selection/CAQ application: CAD $135
That gives a potential total of CAD $370 before tuition, travel, accommodation and other expenses.
Québec also uses its own financial-capacity criteria. For applications made from January 1, 2026, Québec lists CAD $24,617 as the annual amount for basic needs for one person, separate from tuition and transportation costs.
What About PAL or TAL Fees?
Many students applying for a Canadian study permit need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL).
The requirement depends on the student’s circumstances and applicable exemptions.
IRCC states that, for 2026, certain students are exempt, including students applying for degree-granting master’s or doctoral programs at public designated learning institutions beginning January 1, 2026, subject to the applicable conditions.
A PAL or TAL is not the same thing as the CAD $150 study permit fee. Students should check with their educational institution or the relevant province or territory to understand the process and whether any administrative charges apply.
How Much Money Should You Budget for Canada?
There is no single number that applies to every international student.
A sensible budget should include:
Study permit and immigration costs + tuition + accommodation + food + transportation + health-related costs + study materials + travel + emergency funds.
For example, imagine a student has:
- CAD $15,000 in first-year tuition
- CAD $12,000 in planned living expenses
- CAD $1,500 for travel and initial setup
- CAD $235 for federal study permit and biometrics fees
The personal budget would already be approximately CAD $28,735 before other possible costs.
This is only an example, not an official financial requirement. Your actual budget should be based on your school, city, family situation and the financial evidence required for your application.
Can the Study Permit Fee Be Refunded?
Applicants should not assume that immigration fees will be refunded if an application is refused.
IRCC’s fee rules determine when a payment can be refunded. Some fees may be refundable in specific circumstances, while processing fees generally should not be treated as recoverable money simply because an application is unsuccessful.
Before paying, check the current IRCC fee information and payment instructions.
Does the Study Permit Fee Include a Visitor Visa or eTA?
If you require an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visa to travel to Canada, you generally do not need to submit a separate application or pay another fee for that document when it is issued automatically with your study permit application, according to IRCC.
However, travel-document requirements can depend on your nationality and circumstances, so always follow the instructions provided by IRCC for your application.
Canada Study Permit Fees vs. Canada Student Visa Fees
You may see people use the phrases Canada student visa fee, Canada study visa fee and Canada study permit fee interchangeably.
Technically, the study permit is the document that authorizes an eligible foreign national to study at a designated learning institution in Canada.
The terminology matters because the costs you see online may refer to different parts of the immigration process.
For most applicants researching the basic federal cost, the key figures in 2026 are:
Study permit: CAD $150
Biometrics: CAD $85 if required
Potential basic total: CAD $235
Students going to Québec may also have a separate provincial application requirement and fee.
How to Reduce Unexpected Study Costs
You cannot eliminate every cost associated with international study, but good planning can reduce unpleasant surprises.
First, get the official tuition amount directly from your school.
Second, research accommodation before arriving. Compare residence, shared housing and private rental options.
Third, create a realistic monthly budget rather than relying only on the minimum amount shown for immigration purposes.
Fourth, keep additional money available for deposits, transportation, winter clothing, textbooks, insurance and other start-up expenses.
Finally, verify every immigration fee on the official IRCC website before paying. Government fees can change, and information published on third-party websites may become outdated.
Common Mistakes Students Make
One of the biggest mistakes is budgeting only for the CAD $150 study permit fee.
Another is forgetting biometrics.
A third is confusing proof of funds with a payment that must be made to the Canadian government. Proof of funds is evidence that you have access to enough money; it is not simply another government fee.
Students also sometimes overlook provincial requirements, particularly when planning to study in Québec.
Finally, applicants should not assume that a general internet estimate applies to their individual case. Immigration requirements can vary depending on nationality, location, program, family members and other circumstances.
Canada Study Permit Fees: Final Cost Breakdown
For a single applicant in 2026, the basic federal calculation is simple:
Study permit application: CAD $150
Biometrics: CAD $85 if required
Basic federal total: CAD $235
But the real cost of studying in Canada is much larger because you also need to consider tuition, accommodation, living expenses, transportation and possible medical, police certificate, language testing and document-related costs.
For Québec, an additional temporary selection/CAQ application fee of CAD $135 applies to international students who require it in 2026.
The most important financial point is that paying the immigration fee does not guarantee approval. Applicants must also meet the eligibility requirements and demonstrate sufficient financial support. IRCC may refuse an application if the applicant cannot show enough money to support themselves, fails other requirements, or does not satisfy the officer that the primary purpose of the trip is to study.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Study Permit Fees
How much is the Canada study permit fee in 2026?
The Canadian study permit application fee is CAD $150 in 2026.
How much is biometrics for a Canada study permit?
The individual biometrics fee is CAD $85. Therefore, an applicant who needs biometrics may pay CAD $235 for the study permit application and biometrics combined.
Is tuition included in the Canada study permit fee?
No. The CAD $150 study permit fee is an immigration processing fee. Tuition is charged separately by your college, university or other educational institution.
Do I need to show money in my bank account?
You need to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial support for the costs associated with studying in Canada, including tuition, living expenses and transportation. The evidence you provide can take different forms, depending on your circumstances.
Is the Canada study permit fee the same as the student visa fee?
The terms are often used interchangeably online, but the study permit is the document that authorizes study in Canada. Depending on your nationality, a visa or eTA may be issued automatically with the study permit process when required.
How much does a Canada study permit cost for Québec?
For a student who requires the Québec process, the 2026 temporary selection application fee is CAD $135, in addition to the applicable federal study permit and biometrics fees.
Can Canada study permit fees change?
Yes. Immigration fees can change, so applicants should verify the amount on the official IRCC fee page immediately before submitting their application. IRCC maintains an official fee list and publishes fee change.