Key takeaways
- Your school decides which payment routes it accepts. Check its tuition payment page first
- Payment platforms link the payment to your student number, which avoids lost payments
- Bank wires work, but fees from banks in the middle can leave your account short
- Compare the total cost in your currency against the mid-market rate
- Keep the official receipt: IRCC accepts proof of paid tuition as part of your proof of funds
What are the ways to pay tuition from abroad?
| Route | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| School payment platform (Flywire, Convera, PayMyTuition and others) | You start the payment from the school’s portal or the platform’s page, pay in your currency, and the school receives Canadian dollars | Shows the rate before you pay; payment is matched to your student number; you can track it |
| International bank wire | Your bank sends money to the school’s bank account | You must add your student number exactly; fees in the middle can reduce what arrives |
| Bank draft | A draft in Canadian dollars, mailed or handed to the school | Few schools still accept drafts from abroad; slow and can be lost |
| Paying from a Canadian account | Online banking bill payment once you are in Canada | Useful for later terms, not usually for your first deposit |
See which route fits you with the tuition payment method chooser.
Step 1: read your school’s payment instructions
Each school chooses its own payment partners. One university may use Flywire, another Convera’s student payment service, another PayMyTuition, and many accept wires too. The instructions are usually on the student account or “international tuition payment” page, or in your offer letter.
Write down:
- the routes the school accepts, and its preferred one;
- the amount due and the deadline (often a deposit before your study permit application, then the term fee);
- the reference it needs: your student number, full name and sometimes an invoice number;
- who receives the refund if your permit is refused.
Only pay to accounts listed on the school’s official website or portal. Fraudsters send fake “payment agent” emails with new bank details. If an email asks you to pay somewhere new, call the school. See how to spot immigration and study scams.
Paying through a payment platform
Payment platforms are built for this. You enter your student details, choose how to pay from your country (often a local bank transfer), and see the rate and amount before you commit. The school receives the exact Canadian dollar amount, already linked to your student account.
- Cost: some platforms show no separate fee; their cost is inside the exchange rate. Compare their rate with the mid-market rate.
- Rate lock: many quotes are valid only for a few days. If you pay late, you may get a new rate.
- Tracking: you get a confirmation and can usually follow the payment until the school receives it.
Paying by bank wire
A wire from your home bank is the oldest method and works for almost every school.
- Use the exact beneficiary name, account and SWIFT code from the school’s site.
- Put your student number and full name in the payment reference. Without them, your payment can sit unmatched for weeks.
- Ask your bank to send the full Canadian dollar amount and to cover the fees in the middle (often called an “OUR” fee instruction), so the school receives the full amount.
- Keep the wire confirmation (the SWIFT message or bank receipt).
Name mismatch is a common problem. If a parent pays, the school still needs the student’s name and number in the reference.
Common mistakes that delay tuition payments
- Missing student number. The school cannot match the money to you. Always include it.
- Paying in your own currency by wire. If you send rupees, naira or pesos, the Canadian bank converts them at its own rate and the amount that arrives may be short. Send Canadian dollars, or use a platform that guarantees the Canadian dollar amount.
- Fees taken in the middle. The school receives less than the bill. Ask your bank to cover these fees.
- Paying close to the deadline. International payments can take several business days to reach your student account. Pay at least one to two weeks early.
- Paying an unofficial agent. Pay the school or its listed platform directly, not a person or agency account.
Rules in your home country
Many countries have rules for sending money abroad for education.
- India: tuition goes through the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). Your bank collects tax at source (TCS) of 2% on education payments above ₹10 lakh a year, or nil if paid from an education loan from a financial institution (rates from April 1, 2026). Use the India TCS calculator.
- China, Nigeria and others: banks often ask for the admission letter and fee invoice before they convert currency for tuition. Start early.
Check with your bank at least two weeks before the deadline.
Your receipt and your study permit
IRCC asks study permit applicants to prove they can pay tuition and living costs. For applications from September 1, 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show CAD 23,448 a year for living costs, plus first-year tuition and travel (it was CAD 22,895 for applications from January 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026). A receipt showing you paid tuition is one accepted proof.
- Ask the school for an official receipt or letter showing the amount paid and the term.
- Keep the payment confirmation from the platform or your bank too.
- Many students also buy a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) for living costs. See the GIC calculator.
Full details: study permit proof of funds.
How to compare the cost
The only fair comparison is the total you pay in your own currency for the same tuition in Canadian dollars. Get quotes from your school’s platform and your bank on the same day, then put them into the tuition payment cost calculator. For a side-by-side look at the main providers, see Flywire vs Convera vs PayMyTuition vs bank wire.
How much tuition to expect: tuition fees in Canada.