Hey everyone — I’ve been seeing a lot of new students asking about whether they should pay their tuition deposit before getting their study permit, especially when schools are pushing to “secure your seat.” I get the pressure — you want to lock in your spot, but the last thing you want is to lose money if your application gets refused.

So I’ve been digging into what’s actually safe to do. From what I’ve seen, many schools require a deposit (sometimes 10% or more of total tuition) to hold your place, but the key is understanding whether that deposit is refundable if your study permit is denied.

Here’s what I’d recommend checking before you hand over any cash:
1. What’s the school’s official refund policy for deposits — especially if IRCC refuses the study permit? Is it fully refundable, partially refundable, or non-refundable?
2. Does the school accept deposit payments via a specific method (e.g., bank transfer, credit card)? And do they issue a formal receipt or confirmation in writing?
3. Is there a written policy document (PDF or screenshot) that clearly states the refund terms? I’d keep that on hand — it’s proof if you need to follow up later.
4. How does IRCC’s policy tie in? While IRCC doesn’t refund tuition, the school’s policy is what actually matters for your deposit.

I’ve seen cases where students paid deposits and then got refused, only to find out the school wouldn’t return the money — even though the school said it was refundable. That’s why documentation is everything.

Just to be clear: I’m not saying don’t pay the deposit — but don’t do it blindly. Make sure you’ve got the rules in writing and understand the risks.

What would you check first if you were in this situation? And what details do you think matter most when deciding whether to pay a deposit before your study permit decision? Would love to hear how others are handling this.

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