Which one-time costs should I budget for before moving from India to Montreal as a student?
Before moving to Montreal, plan for one-time costs such as first month's rent, a one-way flight, study permit and Quebec Acceptance Certificate fees, a week of temporary housing, basic furniture, insurance, a SIM card and an emergency reserve. All figures are indicative estimates that vary by provider.
Before you land in Montreal, a stack of one-time costs comes first, and none of them belong in your monthly budget. Travel, initial housing, immigration charges and household setup all need to be covered up front, so estimate each one for your own situation.
One-Time Costs Before You Land
| One-time expense | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| First month's rent, one-bedroom apartment | CAD 1,100 to 2,200 (approx INR 73,711 to 1.47 L) |
| Canadian study permit application fee | CAD 150 (approx INR 10,052) |
| Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) application fee | CAD 135 (approx INR 9,046) |
| One-way flight from India to Montreal | CAD 700 to 1,500 (approx INR 46,907 to 1.01 L) |
| Initial health insurance payment | CAD 50 to 150 (approx INR 3,351 to 10,052) |
| SIM card and initial mobile setup | CAD 10 to 60 (approx INR 670 to 4,021) |
| Temporary accommodation for one week | CAD 350 to 1,050 (approx INR 23,454 to 70,361) |
| Basic furniture and household essentials | CAD 300 to 1,000 (approx INR 20,103 to 67,010) |
| Initial emergency reserve | CAD 1,000 to 3,000 (approx INR 67,010 to 2.01 L) |
How to Use These Estimates
- Treat every figure as an indicative planning estimate, not a quote.
- Immigration fees, airfare, insurance and temporary housing vary by application type, travel date and provider.
- Check the official immigration pages for the latest fees before you pay.
My Advice
Build your budget line by line and keep the emergency reserve separate from rent and flights. Compare two or three flight and insurance options, and confirm each fee on the official page before you pay.
How much will a month in Canada cost you?
Rent, food and travel. A real monthly budget, city by city.
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