Canada Study Permit Fees 2026: Complete Payment Guide

Everything you need to know about study permit costs and payment methods

On This Page You Will Find:

• Exact study permit fees and payment deadlines for 2026
• Step-by-step payment process that prevents costly delays
• Hidden costs most students miss (biometrics, medical exams, VAC charges)
• Safe payment methods that protect you from immigration scams
• Pro tips to avoid the #1 reason applications get rejected

Summary:

Planning to study in Canada? The study permit application fee is CAD $150, plus a mandatory CAD $85 biometrics fee for most applicants. But here's what immigration consultants won't tell you: hidden costs like VAC service charges and medical exams can add hundreds more to your budget. This complete guide reveals every fee you'll face, the safest payment methods, and insider tips to avoid the costly mistakes that derail 30% of applications. Whether you're applying from India, Nigeria, or anywhere else, you'll discover exactly how much to budget and when to pay to maximize your approval chances.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Study permit fee is CAD $150 + CAD $85 biometrics fee (CAD $235 minimum total)
• All fees are non-refundable, even if your application gets rejected
• Online payment during application submission is fastest and recommended
• Additional costs (VAC charges, medical exams) vary significantly by country
• Payment must be completed before processing begins - no exceptions

Maria Santos stared at her laptop screen in her cramped Manila apartment, calculator in hand. After months of saving for her Canadian university dream, she thought she had budgeted perfectly. The study permit fee was CAD $150 - she knew that much. But as she clicked through the official government website, her heart sank. Biometrics fee: CAD $85. VAC service charge: another $50. Medical exam: $200 more. Her "simple" $150 budget had suddenly ballooned to nearly $500.

If you're like Maria, you've probably focused on the headline study permit fee without realizing the full financial picture. The truth is, most students underestimate their total costs by 40-60%, leading to last-minute scrambles for funds or delayed applications that miss crucial deadlines.

Understanding the Core Study Permit Fees

The foundation of your Canadian study permit costs starts with two mandatory fees that every applicant must pay.

Primary Application Fee: CAD $150

The study permit application fee remains CAD $150 per person for 2026, unchanged from previous years. This fee applies whether you're a first-time applicant or renewing an existing permit. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has maintained this rate to keep education accessible while covering processing costs.

Here's what many students don't realize: this fee covers the administrative processing of your application, but it doesn't guarantee approval. Even if your application gets rejected, you won't receive a refund. That's why getting your application right the first time is crucial.

Biometrics Fee: CAD $85 (Individual) or CAD $170 (Family)

Unless you're exempt, you'll pay an additional CAD $85 for biometrics collection. This includes fingerprints and a digital photo taken at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Application Support Center (ASC).

The good news? Once you provide biometrics, they're valid for 10 years for temporary residence applications. If you've applied for a Canadian visa, work permit, or study permit within the last decade, you might already be covered.

Families applying together pay CAD $170 total for biometrics, regardless of family size. This can represent significant savings for parents accompanying children or siblings applying simultaneously.

Hidden Costs That Catch Students Off-Guard

Beyond the basic fees, several additional costs can dramatically impact your budget. These vary significantly based on your country of residence and specific circumstances.

Visa Application Centre (VAC) Service Charges

If you're applying from a country with a VAC, you'll face additional service charges that can range from CAD $30 to CAD $100 or more. These fees cover services like application review, document scanning, and passport transmission.

For example, students applying from India typically pay around CAD $45 in VAC charges, while those in certain African countries might pay CAD $75 or more. The charges aren't set by the Canadian government but by the private companies operating VACs.

Medical Examination Fees

Depending on your country of residence and intended length of study, you may need an immigration medical exam (IME). Costs vary dramatically by location:

• India: Approximately $150-200 USD
• Philippines: Around $180-250 USD
• Nigeria: Typically $200-300 USD
• China: Generally $200-280 USD

These exams must be conducted by panel physicians approved by IRCC. The fees are paid directly to the medical facility and aren't included in your application fees.

Safe and Accepted Payment Methods

Protecting yourself from payment fraud is crucial, especially given the rise in immigration scams targeting international students.

Accepted Payment Options

IRCC accepts several payment methods for online applications:

• Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
• Prepaid credit cards
• Debit cards with Visa or MasterCard logos

Here's a relief for many students: the card doesn't need to be in your name. You can use a family member's card, and their name will appear on the receipt. This flexibility helps students who may not have international credit cards.

Payment Security Best Practices

Always pay through official IRCC channels. Scammers often create fake payment portals that steal both your money and personal information. The legitimate payment page will have a ".gc.ca" domain and secure HTTPS encryption.

Never pay immigration fees through:

• Western Union or money transfer services
• Cryptocurrency
• Cash payments to individuals
• Unofficial websites or consultants claiming to "expedite" payments

Step-by-Step Payment Process

The payment process differs slightly depending on your application method, but online applications offer the fastest processing times.

For Online Applications (Recommended)

1. Create your account: Set up either a GCKey or IRCC secure account on the official website
2. Complete your application: Fill out all required forms and upload supporting documents
3. Calculate your fees: Use the IRCC fee calculator to determine your exact costs
4. Pay during submission: The system will prompt you to pay before finalizing your application
5. Save your receipt: Download and save the payment confirmation - you'll need this for tracking

The online payment system processes immediately, allowing you to submit your complete application without delays.

Payment Timing Strategy

Pay your fees during peak processing periods (September-December and January-March) as early as possible. Late payments during these months can add 2-4 weeks to processing times as payment systems experience higher volumes.

If you're applying for a January intake, consider submitting and paying by early October. For September intakes, aim for payment completion by May.

Common Payment Mistakes That Delay Applications

Learning from others' mistakes can save you weeks of processing delays and potential application rejection.

Insufficient Payment Amount

Many students calculate only the basic CAD $150 fee and miss the biometrics requirement. This creates a payment shortfall that requires additional transactions and delays processing.

Before paying, use the official IRCC fee calculator and account for your specific situation. The system will generate a personalized fee list based on your answers to screening questions.

Currency Conversion Confusion

Payment amounts are listed in Canadian dollars, but your bank may charge in your local currency. Currency conversion rates fluctuate daily, so budget an extra 5-10% to account for rate changes between when you check prices and when you actually pay.

Some banks also charge international transaction fees (typically 2-3% of the payment amount). Factor these into your budget to avoid payment failures.

Using Expired or Invalid Cards

Ensure your payment card has sufficient credit limit and won't expire during your application processing period. If your card expires after payment but before application completion, it won't affect your submitted application, but you'll need a valid card for any additional fees.

Country-Specific Payment Considerations

Your location significantly impacts both payment methods and additional costs.

High-Volume Countries (India, China, Philippines)

Students from these countries often face longer processing times during peak seasons. Payment early in the application cycle can provide a small processing advantage. Additionally, VAC charges in these countries are typically well-established and predictable.

Countries with Limited Banking Infrastructure

If you're applying from a country with limited international banking services, consider:

• Using a family member's international card
• Prepaid international credit cards from major banks
• Coordinating with local VACs that may offer payment assistance

Countries Requiring Additional Documentation

Some countries require additional fees for document authentication or translation services. While these aren't paid to IRCC directly, they're essential for application completion and should be factored into your budget.

Budgeting for Your Complete Application

Creating a realistic budget prevents financial surprises and application delays.

Minimum Budget Requirements

• Study permit fee: CAD $150
• Biometrics fee: CAD $85
• Currency conversion buffer: CAD $25
• Minimum total: CAD $260

Comprehensive Budget (Including Likely Additional Costs)

• Study permit fee: CAD $150
• Biometrics fee: CAD $85
• VAC service charges: CAD $30-100
• Medical exam: CAD $150-300
• Document translation/authentication: CAD $50-200
• Currency conversion and bank fees: CAD $50
• Realistic total: CAD $515-885

What Happens After Payment

Understanding the post-payment process helps you track your application and prepare for next steps.

Payment Confirmation and Receipts

Immediately after successful payment, you'll receive an electronic receipt. This receipt contains a unique transaction number that links your payment to your application. Save multiple copies and include the receipt number in any correspondence with IRCC.

Processing Timeline Expectations

Payment doesn't start the processing clock - submitting your complete application does. However, incomplete payments will prevent processing from beginning.

Current processing times vary by country:

• Online applications: 4-12 weeks
• Paper applications: 8-16 weeks
• Peak season applications: Add 2-6 weeks

Refund Policies and Exceptions

IRCC fees are non-refundable in almost all circumstances. The only exceptions are extremely rare cases of duplicate payments or technical errors during submission. This policy underscores the importance of submitting a complete, accurate application the first time.

Protecting Yourself from Payment Scams

The popularity of Canadian study permits has unfortunately attracted scammers who target hopeful students.

Red Flags to Avoid

Never pay study permit fees if someone:

• Promises guaranteed approval for extra payment
• Requests payment through unofficial channels
• Claims to have "special relationships" with immigration officers
• Asks for payment before you've completed your application
• Requests additional "processing fees" beyond official IRCC rates

Legitimate vs. Fraudulent Payment Requests

Legitimate payments are always made:

• Directly to IRCC through official websites
• With clear itemization of fees
• With official receipts containing government reference numbers
• Through secure, encrypted payment portals

Conclusion

Successfully navigating Canada study permit fees requires understanding both the obvious costs and hidden expenses that can derail your budget. The basic CAD $150 study permit fee and CAD $85 biometrics fee are just the starting point - realistic budgets should account for VAC charges, medical exams, and currency conversion costs that can easily double your expenses.

Your best strategy? Budget CAD $500-800 total, pay through official channels only, and submit your complete application during off-peak periods when possible. Remember, these fees are non-refundable, making accuracy and completeness crucial from the start.

The investment in your Canadian education journey begins with these application fees, but the opportunities that await - from world-class education to potential permanent residence - make every dollar worthwhile. Start gathering your documents, calculate your exact fees using the official IRCC calculator, and take the first step toward your Canadian academic future.