by Quick answer: For a Canada study permit applied for on or after 1 September 2026 outside Quebec, a single student must show CAN$23,448 (twenty-three thousand, four hundred and forty-eight Canadian dollars) a year for living costs, plus first-year tuition and travel to and from Canada. Each family member who comes with you raises the amount. Quebec uses its own figures.
Proof of funds is the evidence you give Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you can pay for your studies and life in Canada without working there. This guide covers the current amounts, the increase from the old table, what documents count, Quebec, and a worked example.
Last verified: 28 September 2026 against IRCC.
What the Canada study permit financial requirements cover
IRCC asks you to prove you can pay three separate costs:
- tuition fees for your programme.
- living expenses for you and any family members who come with you.
- transportation to Canada and back for everyone travelling.
The living cost amounts below do not include tuition or travel, so add those on top. For programmes longer than a year, you must also explain how you will pay for the full length of your studies, for example with a multi-year scholarship or proof that your parents are employed.
How much proof of funds do you need for a Canada study permit?
These amounts apply if you apply on or after 1 September 2026 to study anywhere except Quebec. You count as one of the family members.
| Family members (including you) | Amount per year, excluding tuition and travel (CAN$) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $23,448 |
| 2 | $29,192 |
| 3 | $35,888 |
| 4 | $43,572 |
| 5 | $49,419 |
| 6 | $55,736 |
| 7 | $62,054 |
| Each additional person | $6,318 |
If your family has more than seven people, start from the seven-person figure and add $6,318 for each extra person.
Canada study permit financial support increase: old vs new amounts
IRCC updates these amounts every year. If you applied between 1 January 2025 and 31 August 2026, the older table applies. Many websites still quote it, so check which one you are reading.
| Family members | Before 1 September 2026 | From 1 September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,895 | $23,448 |
| 2 | $28,502 | $29,192 |
| 3 | $35,040 | $35,888 |
| 4 | $42,543 | $43,572 |
| Each person above 7 | $6,170 | $6,318 |
For a single student, the minimum rose by $553 (five hundred and fifty-three Canadian dollars). Using the old figure now could leave you short.
Studying in Quebec
To study in Quebec you first need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). For the CAQ, you must show you can cover the costs set by Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). IRCC does not publish Quebec amounts on its page, so check MIFI directly and do not use the table above for a Quebec programme.
What counts as proof of funds for a Canada student visa
IRCC says its list of examples is not complete, and you do not need every document. You need enough together to cover tuition, living costs and travel.
Tuition and study costs
- A receipt showing you paid first-year tuition and housing to your designated learning institution, plus other proof for living and travel costs.
- Proof of a student or education loan from a bank.
- Proof of a scholarship or a Government of Canada funded education programme. If it covers only tuition, add other evidence for living and travel.
Employment and family support
- Recent pay stubs.
- A letter from the person or institution funding you, stating their job, their relationship to you, how many dependants they have and how much they will give, with a copy of their ID or business registration.
- Proof of your relationship to that sponsor and evidence of the support.
Bank accounts and other income
- A guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution.
- Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if you have transferred money to Canada.
- Bank statements for a Canadian or foreign account covering the past 6 months, including the month you apply or the month before, with documents showing where the money came from.
- Pension plan documents or proof of rental income.
If your country uses foreign exchange controls, you must also prove you will be allowed to move the money out for all your expenses.
A partial scholarship still leaves the rest to prove, so pair it with bank statements. Awards such as the Cape Breton University entrance scholarships or the Ontario Graduate Scholarship at Brock University can form part of your evidence.
Minimum bank balance for a Canada student visa: worked example
A student applying in October 2026 to a programme in Ontario, bringing a spouse and one child, is a family of three:
- Living costs: $35,888 (thirty-five thousand, eight hundred and eighty-eight Canadian dollars) a year.
- Tuition: add the first-year fee on your letter of acceptance. IRCC sets no figure because every school charges differently.
- Travel: add return travel for all three people.
The total to show is $35,888 plus tuition plus travel, with a plan for any later years. A family of eight needs $62,054 + $6,318 = $68,372 (sixty-eight thousand, three hundred and seventy-two Canadian dollars) a year before tuition and travel.
Other study permit documents and fees
Proof of funds is one part of the file. You always need a letter of acceptance from your school, and most applicants also need a provincial or territorial attestation letter, or a CAQ for Quebec. You need a valid passport, and IRCC may ask for a medical exam, police certificate or letter of explanation.
The study permit fee is CAN$150 (one hundred and fifty Canadian dollars) per person, and biometrics cost CAN$85 (eighty-five Canadian dollars) per person.
Common mistakes
- Using the old table after 1 September 2026.
- Forgetting that tuition and travel sit on top of the living cost amount.
- Leaving family members, or yourself, out of the count.
- Sending one recent balance instead of 6 months of statements with the source of the money.
- No plan for years two, three or four of a longer programme.
- Applying the table to a Quebec programme.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum bank balance for a Canada student visa in 2026?
For a single applicant outside Quebec who applies on or after 1 September 2026, CAN$23,448 for living costs, plus first-year tuition and travel.
Did Canada increase proof of funds for international students?
Yes. The single-applicant amount rose from $22,895 to $23,448 for applications made on or after 1 September 2026, and IRCC updates the amounts each year.
Can I use a fixed deposit as proof of funds for a study permit?
IRCC’s examples name GICs and bank statements rather than fixed deposits, but its list is not complete. If you use a fixed deposit, show clearly that the money is yours, accessible, and where it came from.
Can my parents sponsor my Canada study permit?
Yes. Include their letter of support with their job, dependants and the amount, a copy of their ID, proof of your relationship and evidence of the funds.
Related guides
See more Study in Canada guides or browse scholarships in the UK, USA, Europe and Canada.
Official sources
- IRCC: Study permit, proof of financial support
- IRCC: Study permit, get the right documents
- IRCC: Study permit
- IRCC: Fee list
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Check IRCC before you apply, because amounts change every year.
