Canada is making big moves in 2025; offering thousands more study permits and expanding scholarship opportunities, even waiving study visa fees for select programs and courses.
If you’ve been dreaming of a Canadian education, here’s your definitive guide to understanding what studies you can do for free, how scholarships work, and what visas are available without fees.
What does “free study visa” in Canada mean in 2025?
A “free study visa” doesn’t mean schooling costs nothing, it means no visa application fee for eligible programs or regions.
Starting 2025, Canada plans to double its international student intake to 350,000 visa permits, reducing financial barriers by offering fee-exempt study visas for qualified applicants in high-need fields like STEM, healthcare, or rural education.
This policy complements tuition-cost scholarships, designed to attract top global talent.
Can you study in Canada without paying visa fees?
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Yes; with certain conditions. Canada’s innovation strategy now supports:
- Visa fee exemptions for applicants in government-approved fields and target countries
- Study permit fee waivers tied to scholarships or enrollment in remote/rural campuses
- A surge in provincial and federal bursaries.
Fee-free visas reduce upfront costs, while scholarships and work options help cover living and academic expenses.
How do scholarships make studying in Canada free?
A combination of vanishing visa fees, full-tuition scholarships, and living support awards can turn your Canadian study into a fully-funded experience. Notable programs include:
- Vanier CGS: Up to CAD 50,000 yearly for PhD students
- Lester B. Pearson (U of Toronto): Covers tuition, books, living expense
- UBC’s International Leader of Tomorrow and McGill Entrance Scholarships: Full to partial awards based on merit and need
- ELAP and Canada–ASEAN Scholarships: Government-backed for leadership and innovation
Additionally, eligible students can work up to 20 hours/week, helping offset living costs.
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Do study permit fees get waived for scholarships?
Yes. Several scholarships now come with visa or study permit fee waivers built in. As Canada aims to attract global students, many institutional scholarships and government bursaries now include an exemption for study permit fees, making the process smoother and more affordable.
What is the visa fee for 2025 study permits?
Typically, the standard fee is CAD 150 for a study permit, with an additional CAD 85 biometric fee. Fee-waivers for qualifying students in high-demand fields or scholarship programs eliminate this barrier. Always check your institution or province’s announcements to verify your fee status.
FAQs
1. What courses have free study permits in Canada?
Often, STEM-related programs, tech, healthcare, AI; especially in rural campuses, come with visa fee waivers in 2025. Some provinces also waive permit fees for fields with labor shortages.
2. Which universities offer scholarships covering visa fees?
Major universities like U of Toronto, UBC, McGill, and Waterloo bundle visa exemptions with full/partial scholarships. Provincial scholarships like Ontario Trillium also may include fee waivers.
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3. Do I need to pay tuition if my visa is free?
Visa fee waivers lower your cost, but tuition depends on scholarship awards. Only full scholarships like Pearson, Vanier, and some UBC or McGill ones cover tuition entirely.
4. Can I work while studying in Canada?
Yes. International students can legally work up to 20 hours weekly during semesters and full-time during breaks, helping cover living costs and supplement scholarships.
5. Is living free with these scholarships?
Scholarships like Pearson and Vanier offer substantial living stipends, though total exemption varies. Supplementing with part-time work or bursaries is common.
6. Can I stay after graduation with PGWP?
Absolutely. Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) grants graduates 1–3 years to gain work experience, adding a strong path to Permanent Residency via Express Entry or PNP.
7. Do you need IELTS for these scholarships?
Most require English proficiency, but exemptions exist. Some schools accept previous education in English, Duolingo, or regional test exemptions.
8. How early should I apply for free scholarships?
At least 12 months in advance. Strong academic record, leadership, and early preparation are essential; especially for high-demand awards like Vanier or Pearson.
9. Are rural campuses better for free visas?
Yes. Provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and parts of Quebec offer special scholarships and visa waivers to attract students to underserved regions.
10. Is there a list of fee-exempt courses?
Official updates come from IRCC, provincial governments, and universities.
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How much does living in Canada cost as an international student?
Currency-wise, expect:
- Basic living expenses: CAD 15,000–30,000/year (rent, food, transportation)
- Work-study income (≤20 hrs/week): CAD 10–15/hr; helps offset daily costs
- Scholarship coverage: Strong ones often include living stipends, reducing dependency on work
With payments from scholarships, work, and visa exemptions, a CAD 40,000/year program could potentially cost you little to nothing.
What steps should you take now?
- Pick your field: Focus on high-demand areas like STEM, nursing, AI, and sustainability
- Research scholarships: Make Vanier, Pearson, UBC, McGill, and provincial awards your top targets
- Prepare early: Plan your application nearly 12 months ahead
- Document thoroughly: Academic transcripts, financial records, SOP, references
- Build relationships: Connect with immigration experts; tap into alumni networks
- Know your rights: Understand work-study rules, province-specific perks, and PGWP eligibility
- Plan your PR path: From graduation, align with Express Entry or PNP options
Final thoughts
Canada is offering a revolutionary opportunity in 2025: Study visas with no application fees, combined with powerful full or partial scholarships, plus work-study rights and fast-track paths to permanent residency. This is more than an education; it’s a life transformation.