The Canadian federal government has updated its financial requirements for international students to ensure the standards align with the current economic reality. According to a new policy released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on June 2, 2025, international students applying for a study permit on or after September 1, 2025, will be subject to a new standard for proof of living expenses.
New Standard: An Annual Adjustment Tied to Cost of Living
The core of this policy adjustment is a routine annual update to the financial requirement, aligning it with the latest Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) published by Statistics Canada. Under the new regulations, a single applicant will now need to show a minimum of CAD 22,895 for living expenses, in addition to their first year′s tuition and travel costs. This is an adjustment from the previous requirement of CAD20,635.
IRCC has emphasized that this measure is crucial for ensuring international students have sufficient financial means to cover their expenses and successfully complete their studies in Canada.
This new requirement applies to all international students submitting study permit applications for provinces and territories outside of Quebec.
Transition Period and Standards for Families
To provide applicants with adequate preparation time, IRCC has established a clear transition period. Applications submitted before September 1, 2025, will continue to be assessed under the existing standard, which came into effect on January 1, 2024. All applications submitted on or after the September 1 deadline must meet the new financial threshold.
For applicants bringing family members, the financial requirements are adjusted accordingly. The new annual funds required are as follows:
| Number of Family Members (including applicant) | Annual Funds Required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $22,895 |
| 2 | $28,502 |
| 3 | $35,040 |
| 4 | $42,543 |
| 5 | $48,252 |
| 6 | $54,420 |
| 7 | $60,589 |
| For each additional member over 7 | an additional $6,170 |
How to Effectively Prove Your Financial Capacity
To meet IRCC's requirements, applicants must provide clear and credible financial documents. IRCC offers flexibility by accepting various forms of proof of funds. The following are officially accepted documents:
- Proof of a Canadian bank account in the applicant's name, if money has been transferred to Canada.
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.
- Proof of a student or education loan from a bank.
- Bank statements for the past four months.
- A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars.
- A letter from the person or institution providing the funds.
- Proof of funding paid from within Canada, such as a scholarship or a Canadian-funded educational program.
Industry experts advise that prospective students and their families should closely monitor official announcements from IRCC and begin planning their finances according to the new requirements to ensure a smooth application process. This policy update reflects the Canadian government's commitment to both welcoming international students and safeguarding their well-being during their time in Canada.
