IRCC's updated proof-of-funds amounts for study permits (from September 1, 2026)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published updated living-expenses amounts for study permit applicants — the money you must prove you have, on top of tuition and travel, to support yourself in Canada.

For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show CAD $23,448, up from CAD $22,895 for applications submitted up to August 31, 2026. The amounts for larger families rise in the same proportion.

What changed

For one applicant, the difference between the old and new amounts is CAD $553, or about 2.4%. The same proportional increase applies at every family size.

Which amount applies depends on when your application is submitted — applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026 use the new amount, and earlier ones use the previous amount.

These amounts are for living expenses only

The figures below cover living expenses only. Tuition fees and transportation to and from Canada are required in addition. To get a study permit, IRCC asks you to prove you have enough money — without working in Canada — to pay for all of:

• tuition fees for your program of study
• living expenses for you and any family members coming with you
• transportation to and from Canada for you and any accompanying family members

You must show you have enough for your first year of studies. For programs longer than one year, you also have to tell IRCC how you plan to pay for the full duration.

Living-expenses amounts by family size

As published by IRCC for all provinces and territories except Quebec.

Students applying to study in Quebec follow the amounts set by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration, not the table above.

Where this comes from

These figures are from IRCC's official page, Proof of financial support for study permit applicants (amounts retrieved September 8, 2026). That official page always prevails over this article.

If you have questions about your own application, speak with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). If you don't have one, the Passage study permit team can help connect you with one.

Plan your budget

Not sure what your full first-year budget looks like? Use the Passage Cost of Studying in Canada calculator to estimate tuition and living costs, then check your eligibility to see what funding is available for your program.

This article is for general information only. It is not immigration advice. IRCC amounts, dates, and requirements can change without notice — always confirm the latest details on the official Government of Canada website before making decisions.