Maple News reports that international students planning to apply for a Canadian study permit will need to demonstrate a higher level of financial support beginning in late 2025. As of September 1, 2025, applicants must show they have at least CAD $22,895 in available funds—an increase of approximately $2,260 from the previous threshold of $20,635.
This requirement is in addition to the cost of first-year tuition and travel expenses. The updated minimum applies to applicants studying in all Canadian provinces and territories outside Quebec.
The change, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on June 2, 2025, is part of the government’s ongoing effort to ensure students can afford the rising cost of living in Canada. The financial requirement is reviewed and adjusted annually based on Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off (LICO), a metric used to estimate the amount of income a family needs to meet basic needs.
International students are required to prove they can financially support themselves—and any accompanying family members—throughout their stay. The updated figures are intended to provide a more realistic assessment of the actual financial needs students face while studying in Canada.
Here is the updated annual minimum funding required based on family size:
– 1 person: CAD $22,895
– 2 people: CAD $28,502
– 3 people: CAD $35,040
– 4 people: CAD $42,543
– 5 people: CAD $48,252
– 6 people: CAD $54,420
– 7 people: CAD $60,589
– Each additional family member: CAD $6,170
Applicants are advised to consider this updated financial benchmark when planning to study in Canada. Maple News will continue to monitor and report on further developments concerning Canada’s international student policies.
These new updates underscore IRCC’s effort to reinforce the integrity of Canada’s study permit system and to ensure that students arrive prepared to live and study successfully.