Canada Study Permit Proof of Funds in 2026: CAD 23,448

Canada's proof-of-funds requirement for study permits has gone up again. For a single applicant outside Quebec, applications made on or after 1 September 2026 must show CAD 23,448 for living costs.

Which number applies to you

IRCC sets the figure by the date you apply, not by the date you started saving or the date you were admitted:

• Applications made from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2026: CAD 22,895
• Applications made on or after 1 September 2026: CAD 23,448

That is CAD 553 more, a rise of about 2.4%. At an indicative rate of GHS 8.4 to the Canadian dollar, CAD 23,448 is roughly GHS 197,000, though you should check the rate on the day you apply.

What the figure covers, and what it does not

IRCC is explicit that these amounts cover living expenses only. They do not include tuition or transportation. In practice that means you need to show three things: your first year's tuition, the living-cost amount, and the cost of your travel. Planning around the living figure alone is one of the most common budgeting mistakes.

The amount is for a single applicant outside Quebec. Quebec sets its own figure, and the amounts rise if family members come with you, so check the current table for your situation.

The other costs to remember

Biometrics cost CAD 85 for an individual applicant. You will also pay the study permit processing fee, and many applicants need a medical examination and a language test. Our cost calculator adds these up and keeps what you spend separate from what you only need to show.

Timing and evidence

Because the rule is tied to your application date, the cleanest way to avoid surprises is to decide your submission date first, then check which figure applies. Funds should be accessible to you and have a visible history. A large deposit that appears days before you apply looks like an arranged balance rather than savings, however genuine it is. Start building the evidence months ahead, with statements that show where the money came from.

The bottom line

For a single student outside Quebec applying now, plan for CAD 23,448 for living costs, plus first-year tuition, plus travel, plus fees. Canada's requirement has risen twice in recent years, so treat any figure you read, including this one, as something to confirm on the IRCC website on the day you apply.