New Cost of Living Requirements for Canadian Study Permits in September 2025
- InfoPlace Canada
- Jul 3
- 4 min read
Canada continues to attract record interest from international students. In fact, a Spring 2025 survey found 94% of prospective students expressed some interest in studying in Canada, making it the world’s most attractive education destination. Canada is known for its high-quality universities (10 of the world’s top 250 are Canadian), multicultural society, and welcoming immigration policies. It also offers generous post-study work opportunities – for example, Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows graduates up to 3 years of work in Canada. These factors ensure Canada remains a premier choice for ambitious students and their families.
New Financial Support Requirements (Sept 1, 2025)
Starting September 1, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will raise the minimum maintenance funds that study permit applicants must demonstrate. In practical terms, this means the required “living expenses” funds for a study permit (excluding tuition) will increase significantly for applications received on or after that date. For example, under the new rules a single student (with no dependents) must show CAD $22,895 per year for living costs (up from $20,635 previously). The required amounts for applicants with family members also increase (see table): As an example,
Single applicant: CAD $22,895 per year.
Applicant + spouse (2 people): CAD $28,502 per year.
Applicant + 2 children (3 people): CAD $35,040 per year.
Applicant + 3 dependents (4 people): CAD $42,543 per year.
(Each additional family member beyond 7 adds CAD $6,170 per year.)
These figures apply outside Quebec (Quebec has its own financial criteria). All amounts are for living expenses only (tuition and return travel must be covered separately).
In short, the baseline living-cost requirement has increased by about 11% for 2025 (from $20,635 to $22,895 for one person), reflecting Canada’s actual cost of living.
Context: Previous Financial Requirements
This is the latest in a series of updates. On January 1, 2024, IRCC nearly doubled the previous maintenance-fund requirement, raising the one-person threshold from $10,000 to $20,635. (Prior to 2024, a student only had to show $10,000 plus $4,000 for a spouse and $3,000 per child.) IRCC explained that the 2024 increase was needed “to better reflect the true cost of living in Canada” and to help prevent student vulnerability and exploitation. The September 2025 update further aligns the financial requirement with Canada’s real living costs and low-income cut-off, ensuring incoming students have adequate resources for a successful stay in Canada.
For students and parents, this means financial planning is more important than ever. The good news is that Canada remains one of the most affordable study destinations compared to other popular countries (tuition and living costs are often lower than in the U.S. or U.K.), and the higher funding threshold is designed to protect you. By meeting the updated requirement, you will be well-prepared for study life in Canada.
Proving Your Funds: Acceptable Documents
To satisfy IRCC’s financial support requirement, applicants must provide proof of funds in one or more of several accepted forms. You only need to prove you have sufficient funds before you arrive in Canada. Common ways to document your finances include:
Tuition and Housing Receipts: Official payment receipts for your first year’s tuition and on-campus housing (if applicable) count as proof.
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): A GIC from a Canadian bank is a popular option. (Banks like RBC, Scotiabank, etc., offer student GIC programs.) IRCC explicitly accepts a GIC from a participating Canadian financial institution.
Bank Statements or Loan Documents: Recent (4-month) statements from your personal or family bank accounts, or proof of a student loan, can demonstrate available funds.
Sponsor/Scholarship Letters: A signed letter from a parent or other sponsor detailing the funds they will provide, or a scholarship/fellowship award letter, is also acceptable.
Other Options: A bank draft convertible to Canadian dollars, or any other verifiable proof of funding, will be considered.
If your country has currency controls, you must also show you can legally transfer the required funds abroad. (Always check IRCC’s latest instructions on proof of funds.) Tip: Gather and organize your documents well before applying. Many students use a combination of the above proofs (for example, pay tuition in advance and show a GIC or bank statement for living costs) to clearly satisfy IRCC.
How Our Services Can Help
Meeting Canada’s study permit requirements can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team of immigration professionals specializes in Canadian study permits and school admissions. We guide international students through every step:
School and Program Selection: We help you choose accredited institutions and programs that match your goals.
Admission Assistance: We review your academic credentials and application materials to strengthen your admission chances.
Financial Planning: We advise on how to meet proof-of-funds rules (for example, arranging a Canadian GIC or preparing bank documentation).
Study Permit Application: We ensure your application is complete, accurate, and submitted correctly, addressing the new financial requirements.
Ongoing Support: We manage your application until a decision is received.
By working with us, you gain an experienced advisor who can maximize your success. For instance, we can coordinate with banks to obtain GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates) that IRCC recognizes as proof of funds. We stay up-to-date with IRCC changes so your application anticipates new rules (such as the Sept 2025 increase) and avoids delays or refusals.
Canada’s universities and colleges want to welcome talented students. With the right preparation, the updated financial requirements become just a matter of planning – and ultimately help ensure you can thrive on campus. We can help you compile all necessary documents (proof of acceptance, identity, finances, etc.) in a professional package.
Book a Study Permit Consultation Today: The September 2025 updates mean higher financial thresholds, but Canada’s educational opportunities have never been better. Click on " Book Now" above and our Licensed Immigration Consultants will guide you through the new requirements and help turn your Canadian study dreams into reality. Let us handle the paperwork so you can focus on your future in Canada! Contact us : +1 3065856565 or email ask@infoplacecanada.ca
When the new cost of living requirements for Canadian study permits starting in September 2025 were announced, like many other students, I started to feel stressed. Managing tuition, rent, and daily expenses was already tough, and this new rule added more pressure. At the same time, I was taking an online history class with tight deadlines and challenging assignments. That’s when I searched for online history class help and found a trusted platform that provided expert support. With the stress of finances eased a bit, and academic help in place, I was finally able to find balance and stay on track.