Effective September 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially increased the living expense proof of funds for a single study permit applicant outside Quebec to $23,448 CAD, a $553 increase over the previous requirement.

At Maple Education Canada, our team of 4 Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) helps students navigate these continuous policy shifts so applications remain fully compliant and protected from unnecessary visa refusals.

Required Living Expense Baselines (Effective Sept 1, 2026)

IRCC ties these figures to 75% of Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). If you are bringing family members, the required living expense baseline increases accordingly:

Navigating Total Financial Capacity

A common mistake made by prospective students is assuming that showing the base $23,448 figure guarantees an approval. In reality, visa officers evaluate your entire financial profile.

Because tuition varies by institution, travel costs depend on your home country, and officers inspect fund history closely, there is no single target number for everyone. Your required financial capacity naturally depends on your tuition fees, living costs, travel allowances, and overall profile combined.

What Counts as Acceptable Financial Evidence?

• Official bank statements showing verified, unencumbered funds
• Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC) from an approved Canadian financial institution
• Official student loan approvals or institutional scholarship awards

Ready to take the right steps toward your study permit? 

Avoid delays or visa refusals. Start your Canadian journey today with Maple Education Canada’s.

Click the link to book your Consultation

https://mapleeducation.ca/getstarted/consultation-with-a-certified-consultant/