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SDS & non-SDS pathways, PGWP up to 3 years, and clear PR routes through Express Entry. Verified fees, GIC amount, cost of living, spouse and dependent rules for Indian applicants — updated for IRCC 2025–26 guidance.
| Item | Official Amount | Approx. INR |
|---|---|---|
| Study permit application fee (IRCC) | CAD 150 | ≈ ₹9,300 |
| Biometrics fee | CAD 85 | ≈ ₹5,300 |
| Medical exam (India panel physician list) | — | ₹5,500 – ₹7,500 |
| Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) fee | Varies by province | Usually included with LOA |
| SDS processing time | ≈ 4 – 8 weeks (target) | |
| Non-SDS / regular processing | ≈ 8 – 16 weeks | |
Source: IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) fee schedule 2025. Fees are payable in CAD directly to IRCC; INR conversion is indicative at ₹62/CAD.
| Program Type | Annual Tuition (CAD) | Approx. INR / year |
|---|---|---|
| Public college diploma / PG diploma | CAD 15,000 – 22,000 | ₹9.3 – 13.6 L |
| Undergraduate (Bachelor) | CAD 20,000 – 35,000 | ₹12.4 – 21.7 L |
| Postgraduate (Master's) | CAD 18,000 – 40,000 | ₹11.2 – 24.8 L |
| MBA / Professional | CAD 30,000 – 65,000 | ₹18.6 – 40.3 L |
Effective 1 Jan 2025, IRCC updated the study-permit financial requirement (outside Quebec) to:
| Family Members (incl. applicant) | Funds Required (CAD/year) | Approx. INR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (student only) | CAD 22,895 | ≈ ₹14.2 L |
| 2 (student + spouse) | CAD 28,502 | ≈ ₹17.7 L |
| 3 (student + spouse + 1 child) | CAD 35,040 | ≈ ₹21.7 L |
| 4 (student + spouse + 2 children) | CAD 42,543 | ≈ ₹26.4 L |
This amount is in addition to first-year tuition and travel. IRCC updates this figure each January based on Statistics Canada LICO — always verify the current figure on canada.ca before filing.
Monthly estimates for Toronto / Vancouver metro. Smaller cities (Winnipeg, Halifax, Saskatoon) are ~20–30% cheaper.
| Family Type | Monthly (CAD) | Annual (CAD) | Annual (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student only | 1,800 – 2,300 | 21,600 – 27,600 | ₹13.4 – 17.1 L |
| Student + spouse | 2,600 – 3,300 | 31,200 – 39,600 | ₹19.3 – 24.6 L |
| Student + spouse + 1 child | 3,300 – 4,200 | 39,600 – 50,400 | ₹24.6 – 31.2 L |
| Student + spouse + 2 children | 4,000 – 5,000 | 48,000 – 60,000 | ₹29.8 – 37.2 L |
| Category | Metro (CAD) | Small city (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared) | 750 – 1,100 | 500 – 750 |
| Food & groceries | 350 – 500 | 300 – 400 |
| Transport (student pass) | 100 – 160 | 70 – 110 |
| Utilities + internet + phone | 150 – 220 | 120 – 180 |
| Health insurance | 60 – 80 | 55 – 75 |
| Miscellaneous / social | 200 – 300 | 150 – 220 |
Since 21 January 2025, IRCC has significantly tightened spouse open-work-permit (OWP) eligibility:
| Student's Program | Spouse OWP Eligible? |
|---|---|
| PhD / Doctoral | ✅ Yes |
| Master's (16 months or longer) | ✅ Yes |
| Master's (shorter than 16 months) | ❌ No |
| Professional degrees (MD, DDS, LLB, BEng, BArch, DVM, OD, Pharm.D, BScN) | ✅ Yes |
| Bachelor's / Undergraduate (general) | ❌ No |
| College diploma / PG diploma | ❌ No |
Yes. IRCC has capped total study-permit approvals (~437,000 for 2025) but Indian students remain the largest applicant group. Strong SDS profiles with a valid PAL are being processed normally.
Non-SDS applications may accept PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or CELPIP. SDS requires IELTS 6.0 (each band) or PTE 60 overall (minimum 60 in each — accepted from Aug 2023).
There is no official "minimum bank balance" beyond the CAD 22,895 proof-of-funds figure. Practically, we recommend showing an additional ₹8–12 lakh of seasoned savings / FDs to demonstrate strong financial backing — especially for non-SDS files.
Under current (Jan 2025) rules, no — spouse OWP is not available for PG-diploma students. Spouse can only visit on a visitor visa without work rights.
Typical timeline from Delhi VAC: 4–8 weeks after biometrics for a complete SDS file. Non-SDS or files needing verification take 8–16 weeks.
Popular study destinations across Canada — explore the regions our students head to most.
Book a free 30-minute counselling session with our ICEF-certified team. We'll assess your profile, shortlist DLIs, and map out your GIC + PAL + SOP timeline.
Disclaimer: All fees, GIC amounts, cost-of-living estimates, spouse and PGWP rules are compiled from IRCC (canada.ca), Statistics Canada LICO tables and designated Canadian banks as of the date shown. Immigration policy changes frequently — please confirm every figure on the official IRCC website before submitting your application. This page does not guarantee visa approval; final decisions rest with the visa officer.
