Canada increases living expense requirements for international student permits

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced an increase in the minimum funds international students must demonstrate for living expenses when applying for study permits. Effective September 1, 2026, a single applicant from outside Quebec will be required to show access to C$23,448, an increase of C$553 from the current C$22,895 requirement.

These mandatory financial baselines are separate from tuition fees and travel costs. The thresholds scale based on household size for students traveling with dependents. For example, a family of three will require C$35,888, while a family of five will require C$49,419. For families of six, the requirement is C$55,736, and for seven, C$62,054. For every additional dependent beyond seven, applicants must show an additional C$6,318.

Authorities review these limits annually to adjust for inflation and the cost of living. The IRCC stated that these measures are intended to protect foreign scholars from financial hardship and predatory practices. Applicants for programs exceeding twelve months must also provide a clear financial plan covering the full duration of their studies.