Study permit proof of funds: the 2026 amounts and documents you need

Planning to study in Canada means showing that you can support yourself without working here. For every study permit application submitted on or after September 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires a higher amount for living expenses in all provinces and territories except Quebec. Quebec has applied its own amounts since January 1, 2026. Here is what you need to prove, how much, and which documents can support your application.

What you need to prove

You must show that you have enough money, without working in Canada, to cover:

• your tuition fees;
• living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you;
• return transportation to Canada for you and your accompanying family.

You need to demonstrate that you have the funds for your first year of studies. If your program lasts longer than one year, you must also explain how you will pay for the rest, for example with a scholarship covering more than one year or proof that your parents are employed.

IRCC looks at both the amount and the source of your money, and checks that it will remain available for the full length of your studies. If your country controls currency exports, you must also prove that you will be allowed to take the funds out.

Living-expense amounts outside Quebec

The table below shows the yearly amounts for living expenses. The number of people includes you and each family member who comes with you.

These figures do not include tuition or transportation. For instance, an applicant bringing two family members must show $35,888 a year for living expenses, on top of tuition and travel costs. There is no fixed published amount for transportation, so it is up to you to estimate it and back it up.

IRCC organizes its tables by the date the application is submitted and updates the amounts every year. Always check the scale in force when you file.

Studying in Quebec

Quebec sets its own requirements. To obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI), you must show that you can cover the costs set by Quebec. IRCC's table does not apply.

This amount covers basic needs for one year: food, housing (including settling in), clothing, getting around, health and hospital insurance, and other necessities. Tuition and return transportation come on top. Prepare your proof of funds as early as your CAQ application, and check Québec.ca to confirm the amounts in force when you apply.

Documents that can serve as proof

IRCC provides a list of examples, not a complete list. You do not need every document, but together they must cover all the financial requirements.

• Tuition: a receipt from your school showing payment of first-year tuition and housing, a student loan from a bank, or a scholarship or program funded by the Government of Canada.
• Employment or support from someone else: recent pay stubs; a letter from the person or organization providing the money, stating their employment, their relationship to you, how many dependants they have and how much support they are giving; proof of that relationship, with a copy of their photo ID or business registration.
• Savings and other income: a Canadian bank account in your name if money was transferred to Canada, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution, bank statements for the past six months with documents showing where the money came from, pension documents, or rental income.

The visa office for your country of residence may have additional requirements, so review its instructions.

How to prepare your application

1. Identify the scale that applies based on your province of study and your application date.
2. Work out your full budget: living expenses, first-year tuition and return travel for everyone coming with you.
3. Provide six months of statements, including the month you apply or the month before, and explain any large deposit.
4. If a parent or another person is supporting you, gather their letter, proof of their job and income, proof of your relationship and their ID.
5. If you prepaid tuition or housing, or your scholarship covers tuition only, still include proof of funds for living expenses and transportation.
6. For a program longer than one year, explain in writing how you will fund the following years.

Keep in mind that proof of funds is always required, along with your letter of acceptance and proof of identity. A letter of explanation is not mandatory but is recommended, and it is often the right place to lay out your funding plan clearly.

Every situation is different: the amount you must show and the strongest evidence depend on your family, your program and where your money comes from. Our regulated consultants can assess your file and help you present clear, consistent financial evidence.