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Education
Canada hikes study permit fees for international students, costs more than double
✍️ Amar Ujala · Punjab
🗓 01 Sep 2026, 09:47 AM
👁 7
The Canadian government announced a steep increase in fees for study permit applications, pushing costs for overseas students to over twice the previous amount.
Canada, a top destination for higher education, has introduced a significant rise in the fees required for international students to obtain a study permit. The change, announced by the federal government, targets the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) component that applicants must provide as proof of financial support.
Under the new rules, the GIC amount and associated processing fees have more than doubled compared to the previous requirement, creating a substantial financial burden for prospective students from abroad. The increase applies to all new study permit applications submitted after the policy took effect.
Education providers and student groups have expressed concern that the higher cost could deter talented candidates from choosing Canada, potentially affecting enrolment numbers. Officials, however, argue that the adjustment is needed to align with inflationary pressures and to ensure that students have sufficient funds for living expenses during their stay.
The policy shift comes as Canada continues to compete with other English‑speaking nations for international talent, and it remains to be seen how the new fee structure will influence future application trends.
Under the new rules, the GIC amount and associated processing fees have more than doubled compared to the previous requirement, creating a substantial financial burden for prospective students from abroad. The increase applies to all new study permit applications submitted after the policy took effect.
Education providers and student groups have expressed concern that the higher cost could deter talented candidates from choosing Canada, potentially affecting enrolment numbers. Officials, however, argue that the adjustment is needed to align with inflationary pressures and to ensure that students have sufficient funds for living expenses during their stay.
The policy shift comes as Canada continues to compete with other English‑speaking nations for international talent, and it remains to be seen how the new fee structure will influence future application trends.