OTTAWA: Canada has increased the funds required for international students to qualify for a study permit. Starting today (September 1), foreign students must provide an additional $2,260 for the study permit fund. This brings the total required amount to CAD 22,895 per applicant. This change will be applicable to all international students applying for a study permit on or after September 1, 2025.
This amount, known as the proof of funds requirement, will increase depending on the number of family members accompanying an international student to Canada, meaning some applicants will need to show more funds. This proof of funds is separate from tuition and transportation costs. In addition to showing proof of these funds, international students must also specify in their application how they will pay their tuition fees at their Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Meanwhile, international students who wish to study in Quebec must first obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a Canadian study permit. This is different from students outside Quebec, who can apply directly to IRCC.
Since Quebec has its own Ministry of Immigration, international students applying to the province must show two sets of proof of funds: one to Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) and another to IRCC.
