For Indian students wanting to study abroad, Canada is the most common choice. It is a great option for overseas students because it provides an excellent education at reasonable prices. Numerous Canadian colleges are listed among the top 10 universities in the world and offer a vibrant student life. The Canadian Ministry of Education strongly supports international students and offers a variety of financial benefits and amenities to make their stay more comfortable.
The nation is known for its high standard of living and is one of the greatest locations to live. Additionally, it is one of the safest nations in the world, and many residencies offer full medical coverage to international students. With cities like Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Quebec that are favorable to students, the huge nation has a beautiful atmosphere and offers a variety of active sports. The nation attracts the most foreign students due to its simplified and flexible PR and immigration laws.
21 out of the top 500 universities of the world and 32 out of the top 1,000 universities are located in Canada.
Canada has some of the world’s top academic institutions and research facilities, along with some of the greatest study programs.
Canada should be your top option if studying abroad is something you plan to do in the future.
For Universities which are located in Quebec, Ontario, and ApplyAlberta students can get their admission by applying through SRAM, ontariocolleges.ca, and ApplyAlberta
Students applying to get admission to a Canadian university not associated with any of the above portals can apply via the institute’s official website for their admission.
The estimated cost is around CAD 12,000 – CAD 30,000 (INR 7,19,814 – 17,99,537) per year
PG applications are sent online directly to the universities.
The estimated cost is around CAD 18,000 – CAD 20,000 (INR 9,54,000 – 12,00,017) per year
MBA applications are submitted online directly to the universities.
The estimated cost is around CAD 28,000 – CAD 57,000 (INR 16,80,153 – 34,20,312) per year
A career-focused education that offers practical experience in a particular profession is the PG Diploma in Canada. In Canada, community colleges and SPP institutions typically offer this condensed form of a postgraduate degree. Due to the low cost and condensed course length, postgraduate diplomas in Canada are now very well-liked by foreign students.
In Canada’s universities, a PG Diploma is a 1-2 year program that gives students the option to combine two one-year courses to specialize in a particular topic. Students must achieve specific set grades (which vary depending on the college) and complete industrial projects as part of the study to complete the PG Diploma courses in Canada.
You must meet the following requirements to be qualified to apply for a Canada Student Visa & Permit:
Guaranteed Investment Certificates, or GICs, are used as evidence of funds to apply for a Canadian visa. This applies to all students who select the SDS (Student Direct Stream) program to study in Canadian universities. Now the students won’t need any further financial proof to show the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) that they have enough money to pay their tuition fees and living costs.
| Category | Low (Annual) | High (Annual) | Approx ₹ INR / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition – Undergraduate | C$15,000 | C$35,000 | ≈ ₹9.3L – ₹21.7L (per year) |
| Tuition – Postgraduate | C$17,000 | C$40,000 | ≈ ₹10.5L – ₹24.8L (per year) |
| Accommodation | C$7,200 | C$18,000 | Toronto/Vancouver highest |
| Food & Groceries | C$3,000 | C$5,000 | Cooking at home strongly recommended |
| Local Transport | C$900 | C$1,800 | U-Pass included at many universities |
| Health Insurance (provincial/private) | C$600 | C$900 | Some provinces include free coverage |
| Books & Supplies | C$500 | C$1,000 | ≈ ₹31K – ₹62K |
| Personal & Misc. | C$1,500 | C$2,500 | Winter clothing essential |
| TOTAL (UG, indicative) | C$28,700 | C$64,200 | ≈ ₹17.8L – ₹40L per year |
| TOTAL (PG, indicative) | C$30,700 | C$69,200 | ≈ ₹19L – ₹43L per year |
Note for students: These ranges are indicative. Actual costs vary by city, university, and lifestyle. Major metro cities (London, New York, Toronto, Sydney) typically sit at the higher end of every range. Always confirm fees and living costs directly with your chosen university. ₹ equivalents are indicative; check current FX rates before budgeting.
The table below shows mandatory government fees and other one-time costs you should budget for, in addition to tuition and living expenses.
| Fee Component | Amount | Approx ₹ INR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study permit application fee | C$150 | ≈ ₹9,300 | Paid online to IRCC with application |
| Biometrics fee (single) | C$85 | ≈ ₹5,300 | Family rate: C$170 (max). Valid 10 years |
| Medical exam (panel physician) | ≈ C$200 – C$300 | ≈ ₹12,400 – ₹18,600 | Required for stay >6 months from India |
| VFS service charge | ≈ C$45 – C$50 | ≈ ₹2,800 – ₹3,100 | Paid at VFS centre |
| TOTAL (indicative) | ≈ C$480 – C$585 | ≈ ₹29,800 – ₹36,300 | Plus translation/police clearance if requested |
Important: Visa fees are revised periodically by each country’s immigration authority. The figures above reflect rates as of May 2026. Always verify the latest fees on the official government website before applying. ₹ equivalents are indicative; check current FX rates before budgeting.
Last updated: May 2026
IELTS Academic is the most widely accepted test (minimum overall band typically 6.0–6.5 for UG, 6.5–7.0 for PG). Alternatives accepted by most institutions include TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, and CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language). For SDS (Student Direct Stream) visa applications, IELTS overall 6.0 or equivalent is required.
Through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) — available for Indian students — processing typically takes 4–6 weeks if all documents are in order. Regular study permit processing can take 8–12 weeks or longer. Apply at least 3 months before your program start date, and only after receiving your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Under SDS, you need to purchase a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of C$22,895 (updated for 2024–25 from the previous C$10,000), plus pay the first year’s tuition upfront. The GIC funds are released to you in monthly instalments after arrival, helping cover living costs.
Government options include Canada Graduate Scholarships, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (for PhD, C$50,000/year), and the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships. University-specific awards include the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto), University of British Columbia International Leader of Tomorrow Award, and Humber International Entrance Scholarships. Most universities offer entrance scholarships ranging C$1,000–C$30,000.
Fall (September) is the primary and largest intake with all programs and the most scholarships available. Winter (January) is a strong secondary intake offering most popular programs. Summer (May) is a smaller intake, mainly available at colleges and for select university programs.
Yes. Your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an Open Work Permit (which allows them to work full-time for any employer in Canada). Children of any age can apply for a Visitor Record or Study Permit. Note that recent policy updates have tightened spousal Open Work Permit eligibility — currently it’s primarily available to spouses of students in master’s, doctoral, or specified professional programs.
Yes, and coverage varies by province. Some provinces (e.g., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland) provide free provincial health coverage to international students. Others (Ontario, Quebec, BC) require you to enrol in private or university-provided plans (typically C$600–C$900/year). Always factor this into your budget.
