Canada hikes cost of living funds for foreign pupils from Sept 1

Canada hikes cost of living funds for foreign pupils from Sept 1 

Lubna Kably tnn 31.08.2026

International students applying for a Canadian study permit from Sept 1 will have to show more money for living expenses, with the minimum requirement for a single student rising to CAD 23,448 from CAD 22,895. The increase of CAD 553, or about 2.4%, applies to applications submitted on or after Sept 1, 2026, for students headed to any Canadian province or territory other than Quebec (which determines its own threshold). 

The amount is for living expenses and is in addition to tuition and transportation costs. The financial requirement has risen sharply since 2024, when Canada more than doubled the amount from CAD 10,000 to CAD 20,635. It was subsequently increased to CAD 22,895 in Sept 2025. Gurpreet Oshan, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant, said the increase should be viewed as part of Canada’s annual adjustment rather than a standalone restriction. 

“Until 2023, students were required to demonstrate only CAD 10,000 for living expenses, a figure that had become completely disconnected from the actual cost of living in Canada.”IRCC says applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds for their first year and, if their study programme lasts over a year, explain how they plan to finance the full duration of their studies.