What does the CAD 235 fee cover during the Canada study permit application process from India?

The CAD 235 figure only covers what IRCC itself charges to process your application; it does not include the medical exam, police certificate, English test, or the Visa Application Centre service charges that many Indian applicants also end up paying, so budgeting for CAD 235 alone will leave real gaps.

What the Two Fees Actually Buy

• Study permit processing fee, CAD 150: covers IRCC's assessment of your application, including your proof of acceptance, financial documents and intent to study.
• Biometrics fee, CAD 85: covers collection of your fingerprints and a digital photograph at a Visa Application Centre, used for identity verification.

Booking the biometrics appointment itself is free; the CAD 85 is strictly the government processing charge attached to that step.

What CAD 235 Does Not Cover

IRCC is explicit that several other costs sit outside the online application fee: a medical examination if your program or history requires one, a police clearance certificate if requested, your English or French language test such as IELTS or PTE, any optional VAC services you choose to pay for in India, and of course tuition and travel. One useful offset: if your study permit is approved and you also need an entry visa, IRCC issues it automatically alongside the study permit at no separate visa fee.

This Information Is Also Available On

IRCC's official Citizenship and immigration application fees list, and Canada.ca's Study permit how to apply guidance.

My Advice

Pay the CAD 235 through the official IRCC portal only, and keep the payment receipt since it is required alongside your application. When you build your total pre departure budget, add the medical exam and any VAC service charge on top of the CAD 235, because students who plan only for the headline government fee are usually caught off guard by these add on costs closer to their travel date.