What you need to know
On or after September 1, 2026, a single applicant in provinces and territories outside Quebec must show CAN$23,448 in living-cost funds for the first year, on top of tuition and travel. BorderPass tells you which figure applies to your situation.
The amount rises with family size, and a separate set of figures applies to the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot. Using the wrong table is an easy mistake to make alone, and one BorderPass helps you avoid.
IRCC assesses both the amount and the source of your funds. BorderPass helps you show where the money came from so it reads as genuine and available.
BorderPass partners with financial institutions to help verify funds, which strengthens how your proof holds up under review.
A study permit assessment through BorderPass shows you what you qualify for and gives you a lawyer-reviewed application, so you can move forward knowing your funds are documented correctly.
How much money do you need for a Canada study permit after September 1, 2026?
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show CAN$23,448 for living expenses for the first year, separate from tuition and transportation. Larger families must show more. BorderPass confirms the exact amount for your family size and study plan so you are not guessing at a number your whole application rests on.
The living-cost requirement is set by IRCC and updated regularly. The figure below is the amount you prove in addition to your first year of tuition and your travel costs, not instead of them.
Family members (including you) | Funds required per year, on or after Sept 1, 2026 (CAN$) | Previous amount (CAN$) |
1 | $23,448 | $22,895 |
2 | $29,192 | $28,502 |
3 | $35,888 | $35,040 |
4 | $43,572 | $42,543 |
5 | $49,419 | $48,252 |
6 | $55,736 | $54,420 |
7 | $62,054 | $60,589 |
Each additional person | $6,318 | $6,170 |
These amounts apply to every province and territory except Quebec, which sets its own costs through the Quebec Acceptance Certificate process. BorderPass helps you apply the right requirement for where you plan to study.
Why does the increase matter for your application?
A higher threshold matters because your proof of funds is one of the first things an officer checks, and falling short, even slightly, can sink an otherwise strong application. BorderPass keeps your application aligned with the current figure so an old number does not put you at risk.
Students often prepare their financial documents weeks or months before they apply. If you gathered proof against last year’s amount and submit after September 1, 2026, you may now be under the line without realizing it. BorderPass flags the change and helps you close the gap before you submit, rather than after a refusal.
What counts as proof, and why is the source of your funds so important?
Proof of funds is more than a bank balance. IRCC looks at how much money you have and where it came from, and unexplained or last-minute deposits can raise doubts about whether the money is genuinely yours and available. BorderPass helps you document the source of your funds so your proof stands up to that scrutiny.
Officers assess funds and their source together. A large deposit that appears days before you apply, with no explanation, can weaken your case even when the amount is correct. BorderPass guides you through showing where your money came from, whether that is savings, employment income, a loan, or family support, and partners with financial institutions to help verify those funds. That verification is designed to reduce the risk of an officer questioning your proof.
Are the funding requirements different for Francophone students?
Yes. The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot uses its own funding figures, scaled to the size of the community where your school’s main campus sits, so the amount you must show can be lower than the standard requirement. BorderPass helps you apply the correct table for your school and campus.
Under the pilot, requirements are grouped by community population. A campus in a large city (Group A) matches the standard figure of CAN$23,448 for one person, while campuses in smaller centres and rural areas (Groups B through E) require less, down to CAN$16,142 for a single applicant in a rural area. The pilot also carries its own eligibility rules and a defined list of participating institutions. Matching the right group to your campus is exactly the kind of detail that is easy to get wrong alone, and one BorderPass carries for you.
How BorderPass helps you meet the funding requirement
BorderPass assesses what you qualify for, tracks the funding thresholds as they change, and guides you step by step through documenting your funds and their source, with a licensed Canadian immigration lawyer reviewing your application before you submit. You get a clear picture of the amount that applies to you and proof built to hold up under review.
Getting the funds requirement right is not only about the number. It is about proving the money is real, available, and traceable, on the current standard, in the format IRCC expects. A study permit assessment with BorderPass puts that together for you, and BorderPass’s partnerships with financial institutions add a layer of verification that strengthens your proof. If you want the fuller picture of what qualifies, BorderPass also maintains a detailed guide to proof of funds for a Canada study permit.
The threshold went up. Your application should reflect that from the day you submit. BorderPass helps you get there with confidence in the route you have chosen and a lawyer-reviewed application behind you.
FAQs
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show CAN$23,448 in living-cost funds for the first year, separate from tuition and travel. The amount increases with family size. BorderPass confirms the exact figure for your family size and study plan so your application reflects the current requirement.
