Study permit cost calculator Canada
Estimate student arrival costs and proof-of-funds planning with IRCC source context.
Estimate student arrival costs and proof-of-funds planning with IRCC source context.
Estimate student arrival costs and proof-of-funds planning with IRCC source context.
First-year cost for an international undergraduate, including IRCC-required GIC, application fees, insurance, and typical settlement costs. Edit any field to match your program — every line is auditable.
Province matters more than most applicants expect. Ontario and British Columbia carry the highest international tuition, driven by demand at large urban universities. Quebec, Manitoba, and the Atlantic provinces run 40–60% lower, both on tuition and on typical big-city rent. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) GIC, study permit fee, biometrics, and mandatory health insurance are fixed nationally by IRCC and don't change by province — only tuition and rent do.
Worked example: Ontario vs. Quebec
An international undergraduate in Ontario, at the median $45,000 tuition, faces a first-year total of roughly $70,970: tuition $45,000 + GIC $20,635 + permit fee $150 + biometrics $85 + insurance $900 + two months' rent at $2,100/mo ($4,200). The same student choosing a Quebec institution at the $25,000 median tuition, with $1,500/mo rent, totals roughly $49,770 — a difference of about $21,200 driven almost entirely by tuition and rent, since the GIC and IRCC fees are identical in both cases.
| Tuition (1 year) | $45,000 |
| GIC (SDS requirement) | $20,635 |
| Study permit fee | $150 |
| Biometrics | $85 |
| Health insurance (year 1) | $900 |
| First + last month rent | $4,200 |
| One-way flight (estimate) | $1,500 |
| Total first-year cost | $72,470 |
Not legal or admissions advice.
Tuition figures are 2025 medians from Statistics Canada. IRCC fees current as of April 2026. Always confirm exact amounts with your designated learning institution and IRCC.