Canada will increase the amount of money international students must show for living expenses when applying for a study permit from September 1, 2026.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in a post on X on Friday said a single student applying from outside Quebec will be required to demonstrate access to C$23,448 for living expenses, up from C$22,895 under the current requirement.

The new figure represents an increase of C$553, or about 2.4 per cent.

The financial requirement is separate from tuition fees and transportation costs.

Applicants must also demonstrate that they have enough money to cover these expenses for themselves and any family members accompanying them to Canada.

For students travelling with family members, the amount required will rise according to the size of the accompanying family.
The requirement will be C 35,888 for three, C 49,419 for five.

Students travelling with six family members will need to show C 62,054. For each additional family member beyond seven, applicants will need to demonstrate an additional C$6,318 in living expenses.

IRCC said the amounts are reviewed annually to ensure they reflect changes in the cost of living in Canada.

The department also said the financial requirements are intended to help protect international students from financial hardship and exploitation.

Applicants must demonstrate that they can cover tuition fees, living expenses and transportation costs to and from Canada for themselves and any accompanying family members.

For study programmes lasting more than one year, applicants must also explain how they intend to finance their studies for the full duration of the programme.

The new financial thresholds will apply to study permit applications submitted from September 1, 2026.

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