Canada Raises Study Permit Financial Requirements for International Students

As of September 1, 2026, international students applying for a Canada study permit outside Quebec must show access to at least $23,448 to cover first-year living expenses, up from $22,895. Families need more: $29,192 for two people, rising to $62,054 for seven, with $6,318 added for each additional member.

This figure covers living costs only — applicants must separately prove they can pay tuition and transportation. IRCC now also examines where an applicant’s funds came from and whether they’ll remain available throughout the study period, not just whether the account balance meets the threshold.

Accepted proof includes Canadian bank accounts, GICs, education loans, scholarships, tuition/housing payment receipts, pay stubs, pension documents, and rental income evidence, generally supported by six months of bank statements. If parents or others are funding the study, applicants must document that person’s income, relationship to the applicant, and ability to provide support.

Students on programs longer than a year must also show a credible plan for financing the remaining years, though the entire cost need not be held upfront.

Quebec has separate financial requirements via its Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ). The overall increase reflects Canada’s move to raise the cost-of-living threshold annually and reduce financial vulnerability among international students.