It might be getting harder for international students to study in Canada, but that’s not stopping Canadian universities from doing all they can to give students the best shot at applying.
And with up to a 100% application fee waiver available — if you know where to look –, it’s always worth a shot at sending in your application.
With three Canadian universities in the world’s top 50, according to QS World University Rankings 2025, affordable options, and a range of PhD scholarships available, it’s no wonder that by the end of 2023, Canadian institutions were hosting almost as many international students as US institutions were despite the US population being roughly nine times bigger than Canada’s.
The great things about studying in Canada extend beyond academics. It includes once-in-a-lifetime chances to:
The problem is studying in Canada can be expensive.
The average annual tuition for international students is around 29,714 Canadian dollars (US$21,093).
On top of that, you’ll still be required to pay a range of miscellaneous fees, like the General Administrative Charges, Student Services, and International Health Insurance. These fees can bump the cost up to a range of 30,735 to 70,976 CAD (US$22,574 to US$52,130) a year.
Any chance to save any amount is welcome — especially when the application fee to just one university, which may be non-refundable, ranges between 50 to 250 CAD (US$35 to US$177).
Thankfully, Canada has many universities that offer application fee waivers to help you save money on your pursuit of higher education.
Studying in Canada is a big financial investment for international students. Source: AFP
A recent study found that students applying to multiple universities in Canada without application fees were able to save an average of 500 CAD (US$355) during the application process.
This financial relief not only eases the initial burden of studying abroad but allows you to allocate those funds towards other essential items you may need, such as textbooks, transportation, and meals too.
With an application fee waiver, you can also apply to all the universities on your list without worrying about the costs.
This increases your chances of receiving multiple admission offers, providing you with a range of options to choose from.
With the freedom to explore various universities and programmes, you can make a more informed decision that aligns with your academic and personal goals.
Unfortunately, there’s no one-stop platform with the complete list of Canadian universities with application fee waivers.
Beyond the universities in our list below, you’ll have to go to each university and programme’s official sites to find out whether they charge application fees or not.
Once you’ve shortlisted the universities of interest, check each one’s official website to confirm their application fee policies.
Sometimes, application fee waivers are introduced out of the blue or temporarily. It is a good idea to return to these sites frequently.
Another tip is as you move forward, you should gather essential documents required for your application, such as academic transcripts, a valid passport, a well-crafted statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.
Don’t leave it to the last minute. Applying early and allocating ample time to verify and compile these documents will allow you to make the best application possible.
By following these steps, you’re putting your best foot forward. Even if you don’t get in, you don’t feel like you’ve completely wasted your application fee.
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The University of British Columbia is one of the top Canadian universities — number two in the country, according to the Times Higher Education rankings — offering an application fee waiver.
Founded in 1908, the university stands out for its world-renowned graduate and postgraduate programmes and its commitment to fostering inclusivity in the application process.
While there is a standard application fee for both Canadian and international students, the university automatically extends fee waivers to certain eligible candidates, including those hailing from the world’s 50 least-developed countries, as identified by the United Nations.
On top of that, the Department of Chemistry absorbs the application fee for domestic students applying to its postgraduate programmes.
If you are a Canadian citizen aged 65 or over at the time of application, the university waives the application fee for you too.
Canada has attracted the attention of international students with world-renowned institutions, high-quality education, and a great lifestyle. Source: AFP
If you’re thinking about studying at Tyndale University in Toronto, you’re in luck. Tyndale is not just any university; it’s a Christian institution and boasts Canada’s biggest grad school for theology. Whether you’re looking at bachelor’s, master’s or seminary degrees, Tyndale’s got you covered with a bunch of programmes.
Tyndale is officially recognised as a Designated Learning Institution, which means they’re all set to welcome international students who have study permits.
There are two types of application fees here: one for non-Bachelor of Education programmes and the other for Bachelor of Education.
If you’re an international student applying for either, you must pay a non-refundable application fee of 150 CAD (US$106). But here’s the good news for local Canadians and Americans coming from abroad – if you’re applying for a non-Bachelor of Education course, your application is waived.
However, if you’re eyeing that Bachelor of Education degree, there will be an application fee of 75 CAD (US$53).
Booth University College in Winnipeg stands out as a gem in 2025 for those seeking quality education without breaking the bank.
Formerly known as The Salvation Army William and Catherine Booth University College, this liberal arts institution has a small student population of just 282.
The campus is organised into four departments, each catering to specific academic disciplines: Business, Social Work, Humanities and Social Studies, and Continuing Studies.
What sets Booth apart is its commitment to accessibility, as seen in its policy of not charging any application fees for international applicants from Ukraine. However, international students from other countries must still pay the 150 CAD (US$106) fee.
Applying to universities in Canada with application fee waivers can bring you one step closer to achieving your dreams. Source: AFP
Fairleigh Dickinson University should be one of the universities you consider as you pursue higher education and seek financial relief during the application process.
This private university has established itself as a reputable institution with campuses in New Jersey, US, and Vancouver, Canada.
Here, the early bird gets the worm — Fairleigh Dickinson is committed to fostering inclusivity by offering application fee waivers to eligible candidates who apply early. You might even be considered for the maximum scholarship available too, so that’s hitting two birds with one stone.
And if you don’t make it for early applications, don’t worry; students who attend one of the university’s information sessions or virtual open houses can benefit from a waiver of the standard application fee.
This is one of the oldest public universities in North America. With a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the University of New Brunswick (UNB) provides students with the best of both worlds – world-class programmes and a personalised, small-university experience.
UNB’s commitment to making higher education accessible is seen through its application fee waiver initiative.
While many Canadian universities offer fee waivers through various recruitment events, UNB’s waiver is specifically tailored to Canadian high school students and international students already enrolled in a Canadian high school.
Founded in 1802, Saint Mary’s University is one of Canada’s oldest universities. The university’s strength lies in fusing teaching and research into breakthrough academic experiences.
To ensure that students can experience that, they offer application fee waivers not only to Canadian students but also to international applicants.
Better yet, this waiver isn’t a one-time event too.
Saint Mary’s recent participation in the Atlantic Coast Conference was just one of many instances where the application fee was waived, this time for all first-year and transfer undergraduate students.
Located in Ontario, Lakehead University has two campuses — one in Thunder Bay, where fields and green space surround the campus buildings, and one in Orillia, with a more city-campus vibe to it.
The university has nine faculties for undergraduates and postgraduates, including Science and Environmental Studies, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Law, and Social Sciences and Humanities.
Here, the application fee is 135 CAD (US$ 96) for international applicants, though certain programmes are exempt from it, such as the 115 CAD (US$82) fee for the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law.
The King’s University offers exceptional liberal arts education from a Christian perspective and serves students from across Canada and around the world.
With around 660,000 CAD (US$468,524) provided as student financial support each year, it’s no surprise that the university also offers application fee waivers for those keen to study in their halls.
For international students, the fee is reduced from 140 CAD (US$99) to 100 CAD (US$71) when applying early. The deadline to be eligible for the reduction is April 15 for the Fall term and August 15 for the Winter term.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on November 18, 2024.
