Canada Study Visa Fees and Study Permit Costs Explained
Canada study permit fees can include more than the official IRCC application fee. Many applicants also need to pay a biometrics fee, while other costs may depend on how the application is submitted, whether documents need extra preparation, and whether IRCC asks for additional steps during processing. Professional support is optional and may help with eligibility review, forms, supporting documents, financial evidence, previous refusals, or a final review before submission. These professional fees are separate from IRCC’s government charges and any outside costs involved in preparing the application. Because fees and payment instructions can change, applicants should confirm the latest official fee information before submitting a Canada study permit application.
IRCC Government Fees for a Canada Study Permit
The main government fee for a Canada study visa application is the IRCC study permit application fee. A study permit is the official document that allows most international students and other foreign nationals to study at a designated learning institution in Canada. Different fee considerations may apply for minors who want to study in Canada.
The terms student visa, study visa, and study permit are often used together, but IRCC uses “study permit” for the document that allows most international students to study in Canada. Depending on their citizenship, they may also need a temporary resident visa, often called a visitor visa, or an eTA to travel to Canada. If IRCC approves the study permit, the required visa or eTA is usually issued at the same time, so the applicant does not need to apply for it separately or pay another fee.
Study Permit Fees
- Study permit application fee: $150 CAD per person
- Study permit extension fee: $150 CAD per person
- Biometrics fee: $85 CAD per person, if required
- Family biometrics fee: $170 CAD maximum for eligible family members applying at the same time
- Restore status as a student and get a new study permit: $396.25 CAD
Total with biometrics: $235 CAD per person
This total does not include outside costs such as medical exams, Visa Application Centre services, school-related charges, or professional fees. Proof of funds is separate from these fees. It is not an application fee, but it may be required to show that the applicant has enough money for tuition, living expenses, and other costs while studying in Canada. Applicants who are considering bringing family to Canada while studying should also plan for how a spouse, partner, or children may affect required funds, living expenses, and overall application costs.
Work permit fees are not included in the Canada study permit fees listed on this page. Some students may be allowed to work during their studies under their study permit conditions, while work after graduation may require a separate work permit. Applicants can review the rules for work during and after studies before estimating their total costs.
There is usually no separate Canadian embassy or consulate fee added to the IRCC study permit fee. Biometrics, if required, are paid separately from the study permit fee but are often paid at the same time.
Local Currency, Exchange Rates, and Extra Charges
The official Canada study permit application fee is listed by IRCC in Canadian dollars. The government fee does not become a different official amount because the applicant is applying from outside Canada.
The amount paid in another currency may change because of:
- exchange rates
- card provider charges
- bank fees
- local taxes
- currency conversion costs
- Visa Application Centre service charges, if applicable
Applicants should confirm the current IRCC fee in Canadian dollars before paying.
How to Pay Canada Study Permit Fees Online
Canada study permit fees are usually paid online before the application is submitted. For most online study permit applications, the applicant pays the required fees through the IRCC online application process before final submission. In most cases, this includes the study permit processing fee and the biometrics fee, if biometrics are required.
In some situations, a separate online payment receipt may be needed. This can happen if the applicant is paying for a paper application, paying a missing fee after submission, paying an additional fee requested by IRCC later, or preparing to apply for a study permit inside Canada. The applicant should follow the payment instructions given by IRCC, save the receipt, upload it if required, and keep a copy with their application records.
What you Need to Pay Online
- A valid email address
- An accepted payment card or payment method
- The correct temporary residence fee category
- The correct number of study permit applicants
- The biometrics fee, if biometrics are required
- Access to save or print the payment receipt
In many cases, someone else may be able to pay the fees on the applicant’s behalf. The applicant should follow the payment instructions shown by IRCC, make sure the correct fee is paid, and keep the receipt with the application records.
PAYMENT STEPS
- Select the correct temporary residence fee category
- Choose the study permit fee
- Enter the number of applicants
- Add the biometrics fee, if required
- Review the total before paying
- Complete the payment online
- Save the receipt after payment
- Keep the receipt with the application records
Paying the correct amount helps avoid payment-related delays, but it does not guarantee approval or a shorter study permit processing time. If the wrong fee is paid, IRCC may ask for the missing amount or require the applicant to correct the payment before processing continues.
If the biometrics fee was not paid when required, the applicant may need to pay it separately and provide proof of payment before the application can continue. IRCC advises applicants to pay the biometrics fee when they pay their application fees because not paying it at the same time can cause delays.
Third-Party Costs for a Canada Study Permit Application
IRCC government fees are only part of the total cost of a Canada study permit application. Not every applicant pays every third-party cost. Outside costs may depend on passport submission, translations, medical exams, police certificates, Visa Application Centre services, or additional steps requested by IRCC after submission.
These costs are paid to outside service providers, not to IRCC as part of the study permit application fee. IRCC lists possible third-party fees for medical exams, police certificates, language testing, and services at a Visa Application Centre. If a third-party service is needed, the applicant pays that service provider directly.
Common Third-Party Costs may Include:
- Visa Application Centre service charges — VAC fees vary by service provider, local tax rules, and service type.
- Passport transmission or courier fees — these may apply if passport submission, return courier, or related services are needed.
- Medical exam costs — if an immigration medical exam is required, the applicant pays an IRCC-approved panel physician directly.
- Police certificate costs — some applicants may need police certificates depending on their situation.
- Language testing fees — these are usually related to school or program admission requirements, though a specific applicant’s situation may require additional supporting evidence.
- Translation, affidavit, or certified copy costs — documents not in English or French may need certified translation or supporting paperwork.
- Photos, printing, scanning, and document preparation — these are not IRCC application fees but may still affect the total cost of preparing the application.
- Bank or currency conversion charges — these may apply when paying from outside Canada or using a card issued in another currency.
Third-party costs are not fixed in the same way as IRCC’s Canadian-dollar government fee. To estimate the total cost before applying, applicants should check the local Visa Application Centre website, confirm prices directly with doctors, translators, couriers, or other service providers, and review possible card, bank, or currency conversion charges before making payments.
School-related costs are also separate from IRCC fees. Tuition deposits, admission fees, student service fees, and other school charges may apply when a student enrols in an educational program in Canada. These costs are paid to the educational institution or another service provider, not to IRCC as part of the study permit application.
Professional Fees for Canada Study Permit Applications
Professional help is optional for a Canada study permit application. Many applicants prepare and submit the application on their own. Some applicants choose professional support when their case involves financial evidence, a study plan, a letter of explanation, previous refusals, family ties, or temporary resident intent. These issues can affect how the application is organized and presented.
Professional fees are separate from IRCC government fees and third-party costs such as biometrics, Visa Application Centre charges, courier fees, translations, certified copies, medical exams, police certificates, school fees, tuition deposits, and other outside expenses.
Booking a study permit consultation can be a useful first step for applicants who want guidance before choosing a study permit service package. A consultation or eligibility assessment can clarify the applicant’s situation, required documents, possible concerns, and overall strategy before moving forward. Consultation services range from $85 to $200, depending on the appointment length. In eligible cases, the initial consultation fee may be credited toward a package.
The Full Package ($2,500) is intended for applicants who want support with the complete study permit application from start to finish. It is the most comprehensive option and is generally best suited for applicants who want help with strategy, forms, supporting documents, submission, and follow-up after the application is filed.
The Do It Yourself Package ($1,200) is designed for applicants who want to prepare the application themselves while still receiving professional guidance and review. It is generally best suited for applicants who want more control over the preparation process while receiving structured support and professional feedback before submission.
The Peace of Mind Package ($600) is intended for applicants who have already prepared most of the application and want a professional review before submitting it. This option is generally best for applicants who want a final check of their forms, documents, study plan, and overall presentation before filing.
Taxes, IRCC fees, biometrics, Visa Application Centre charges, courier fees, translations, medical exams, police certificates, school fees, tuition deposits, and other third-party costs are not included.
