Canada Raised the Proof of Funds for Study Permits on September 1 – Here Are the New Numbers

If you are planning to apply for a Canadian study permit, or you are helping a child or spouse prepare one, the amount of money you need to show has gone up. The change took effect on September 1, 2026, and it applies to applications submitted on or after that date.

What Changed

Every year IRCC

updates the settlement funds a study permit applicant must prove, on top of tuition and travel. This is a cost-of-living figure, set at 75% of Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Off. As of September 1, the amounts outside Quebec are higher across every family size.

For a single applicant with no dependants, you now need to show $23,448. That is up from $22,895, an increase of $553.

The New Amounts (Outside Quebec)

• 1 person: $23,448
• 2 people: $29,192
• 3 people: $35,888
• 4 people: $43,572
• 5 people: $49,419
• 6 people: $55,736
• 7 people: $62,054
• Each additional person: add $6,318

These figures cover living costs only. Your first year of tuition and your transportation costs are separate and must also be accounted for.

If You Are Applying Through Quebec

Quebec sets its own living expense requirements and was last updated on January 1, 2026. A single applicant must show $24,617, rising to $60,299 for a family of six. You also need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate before applying. As with the federal figures, tuition and travel are not included.

What This Means for You

The timing rule matters most. Applications received before September 1 are assessed under the old amounts, and everything on or after that date uses the new ones. The gap is modest, but showing the correct amount in a form the officer accepts is what prevents a refusal for insufficient funds.

In our experience, most funds-related refusals come from how the money is documented, not the balance itself. Sudden large deposits, funds held by a third party, or statements without a clear history all raise questions.

Please note: The information provided is for general purposes only. You should not act upon any such information without first seeking qualified professional counsel on your specific immigration matter.

Have questions about how this applies to you? Email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com.