International students applying for a Canadian study permit on or after September 1, 2026 must show higher funds to cover their first-year living expenses. For a single applicant studying outside Quebec, the required amount has increased to $23,448, excluding tuition and transportation costs.
The updated amounts apply across all Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec and vary according to the number of family members included.
New Study Permit Funds Required From September 1, 2026
The following amounts apply to study permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026:
| Family members, including applicant | Required living expenses per year |
|---|---|
| 1 | $23,448 |
| 2 | $29,192 |
| 3 | $35,888 |
| 4 | $43,572 |
| 5 | $49,419 |
| 6 | $55,736 |
| 7 | $62,054 |
| Each additional family member | +$6,318 |
These figures are in Canadian dollars and cover living expenses only. Applicants must account separately for their tuition and transportation costs.
For example, an international student applying with two accompanying family members would need to demonstrate at least $35,888 for first-year living expenses, in addition to tuition and transportation.
How Much Did the Requirement Increase?
For applications submitted between January 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026, a single applicant was required to show $22,895 for living expenses.
From September 1, that amount increases by $553, to $23,448.
The changes across family sizes are:
| Family members | Previous amount | From Sept. 1, 2026 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,895 | $23,448 | $553 |
| 2 | $28,502 | $29,192 | $690 |
| 3 | $35,040 | $35,888 | $848 |
| 4 | $42,543 | $43,572 | $1,029 |
| 5 | $48,252 | $49,419 | $1,167 |
| 6 | $54,420 | $55,736 | $1,316 |
| 7 | $60,589 | $62,054 | $1,465 |
| Each additional person | $6,170 | $6,318 | $148 |
The increase is approximately 2.4% across the different family sizes.
Application Date Determines Which Amount Applies
The relevant financial threshold depends on when the study permit application is submitted.
Applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026 are subject to the new amounts. Applications submitted from January 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026 fall under the previous thresholds.
This distinction can be important for applicants preparing to submit around the effective date, particularly where their proof of funds was prepared using the previous requirement.
Tuition and Transportation Are Additional Costs
The amounts in the IRCC table should not be interpreted as the applicant’s total financial requirement.
They represent the funds required for living expenses during the first year of study. Tuition and transportation costs are excluded and must be considered separately when demonstrating sufficient financial support.
Applicants should therefore assess their financial documentation against their overall first-year costs rather than relying only on the living-expense figure.
Quebec Students Follow Different Requirements
These amounts apply to applicants planning to study in provinces and territories outside Quebec.
Students intending to study in Quebec are subject to separate financial requirements and should assess their application under the applicable Quebec rules.