Last verified: July 6, 2026 · Official source: canada.ca — Study permit
General information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.
Two costs to plan for
As an international student you're budgeting for two things:
- Tuition — set by your school and program.
- Living costs — housing, food, transport, phone, insurance, and the rest.
The immigration side of this is your proof of funds: to get a study permit you must show you can cover tuition plus living costs plus travel.
The living-cost benchmark IRCC uses
For a study permit, IRCC sets a minimum living-cost figure you must prove — CAD $22,895 for a single applicant outside Quebec (on top of first-year tuition and travel). It's higher for family members and is updated periodically.
⚠️ This is the minimum you must prove, not necessarily what you'll actually spend — big-city living can cost more. Always confirm the current figure and the family-size amounts on canada.ca. See the GIC vs. alternatives guide for how to document it.
Tuition varies a lot
International tuition depends heavily on level and program:
- College diplomas/certificates are generally the most affordable.
- Undergraduate degrees cost more, and vary widely by field (arts vs. engineering vs. business).
- Professional and graduate programs (e.g. MBA, medicine) sit at the top.
Your acceptance letter states your exact tuition — use that number, not an average, when budgeting and proving funds. We don't quote specific tuition figures here since they vary by institution, program, and year — always confirm against your school's official fee schedule.
Living costs swing by city
Where you study changes your budget more than almost anything else:
- Toronto and Vancouver are Canada's most expensive cities, driven mainly by rent.
- Mid-size cities (e.g. many in the GTA-west corridor, the Prairies, Atlantic Canada) are typically more affordable.
- Rent is the biggest single line item everywhere — sharing accommodation is the most common way students cut costs.
Beyond rent, budget for food, public transit, a phone plan, health insurance, and winter clothing (a real, often-forgotten cost for newcomers).
Ways students lower costs
- Share housing — the single biggest lever on your budget.
- Work while you study — within the permitted hours; see working while you study.
- Buy used — textbooks, furniture, winter gear.
- Student discounts and transit passes — many schools bundle a transit pass into fees.
- Scholarships and bursaries — check your school's international office.
💡 Working part-time helps with costs and builds Canadian experience — but your study permit conditions cap your hours, and studying comes first. Don't rely on work income to meet your proof-of-funds requirement.
Health coverage
Provincial health coverage for international students varies by province — some cover students, others require private insurance (often arranged through your school). Factor this into your budget and confirm your province's rules.
Where this fits
Budgeting connects directly to proof of funds and choosing a PGWP-eligible school. Thinking longer term? Working during and after studies builds toward PR — see the Study → PR pathway map.