Canada has raised its fund requirements for study permit applicants. This change officially took effect on September 1, 2025, and represents an increase of roughly $2,000 to more than $6,000, depending on the number of accompanying family members. Quebec’s financial threshold is set to take effect in the new year.
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Why the Increase?
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the revision reflects ongoing economic pressures, including higher living costs nationwide. By raising the minimum funds, the government aims to ensure that international students, and any family members travelling with them, are financially secure and prepared during their stay.
How Much Have the Funds Increased?
The increase in funds is different across the board depending on family size. If you are applying alone, as of September 1, 2025, you will need to show a minimum of $22,895. This is a $2,260 increase from the previous financial requirement of $20,635.
Previous and New Fund Requirements:
Study Permit Fund Requirements by Family Size
| Family Size | Previous Requirement | New Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $20,635 | $22,895 |
| 2 people | $25,690 | $28,502 |
| 3 people | $31,583 | $35,040 |
| 4 people | $38,346 | $42,543 |
| 5 people | $43,492 | $48,252 |
| 6 people | $49,051 | $54,420 |
| 7 people | $54,611 | $60,589 |
| Additional family member | $5,559 | $6,170 |
Note: All figures referenced on this page are expressed in Canadian dollars.
Quebec Study Permit Funds Increase
Because Quebec operates under its own immigration framework, the province’s minimum financial requirements are not the same as those applied in the rest of Canada.
Historically, Quebec’s required funds for study permit applicants have been considerably lower. However, it is important to note that Quebec’s financial thresholds will reset on January 1, 2026, whereas the rest of Canada implemented its updated amounts on September 1, 2025.
Currently, a single applicant in Quebec must show $7,756 in available funds. Beginning January 1, 2026, this requirement will rise significantly to $24,617.
It is important to note, as mentioned earlier, all amounts listed on this page are in Canadian dollars.
We will be monitoring Quebec’s policy change closely and will provide additional details as the reset date for the financial threshold nears.
Study Permit Cap and Exemptions
The financial update arrived ahead of another major policy shift for aspiring study permit holders. Beginning January 1, 2026, as mentioned in our previous article, Canada will implement a national study permit cap, as outlined in its 2026–2028 immigration levels plan.
However, the IRCC has confirmed that master’s and doctoral students attending public institutions will be exempt from this cap, ensuring continued access for these candidates.
Written by
Mariam Baher
Immigration Journalist
Mariam holds a Bachelor of Journalism with a minor in English from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Her early interest in the intersection of law and marketing has grown into nearly seven years of experience in legal marketing, where her journalism background brings a storyteller's perspective to strategic, engaging marketing initiatives within the legal industry.
