1. What Happened
On September 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) increased the living expenses requirement for study permit applicants. A single applicant outside Quebec must now show CAD 23,448, up from CAD 22,895—a CAD 553 increase.
Effective Date: This change is currently in effect. Every application submitted on or after September 1, 2026, is assessed against the new amounts.
Previous Submissions: Applications submitted between January 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026, will still be assessed using the previous amounts.
2. What the Amount Covers
CAD 23,448 is a living expenses amount only. Tuition fees and travel to and from Canada are required in addition to it.
IRCC requires an applicant to prove they have enough money, without working in Canada, to pay for all of the following:
Tuition fees for the course or program of studies
Living expenses for the applicant and any family members accompanying them in Canada
Transportation to and from Canada for the applicant and any accompanying family members
IRCC also requires documents proving those funds are available. Applicants must show enough financial resources for the first year of studies, and for programs longer than one year, must also explain how they will pay for the full duration.
3. How the Increase Applies to Your Funding Plan
Scenario A: Fully Self-Funded (No Passage Loan)
Your personal proof of funds must show the updated, higher living expenses amount required for your family size.
Scenario B: Passage Loan Covers Tuition Only
Since your living expenses come from personal funds, your proof of funds must also show the updated, higher living expenses amount for your family size.
Scenario C: Passage Loan Covers Living Expenses (or Tuition + Living Expenses)
You have two options to meet the updated threshold:
Option 1 (Recommended): Cover the difference using personal funds
Provide additional proof: Present proof of your personal funds alongside your Passage loan document.
Break down your figures: In your Letter of Explanation for Financial Support, clearly list three specific amounts:
Total required cost at the updated amountPortion covered by your Passage loanPortion covered by your personal funds
Option 2: Request a loan increase from Passage
An increase is subject to eligibility approval, and you would need to pay additional cash collateral (approximately CAD 300).
4. The Amounts by Family Size
(For all provinces and territories except Quebec. Amounts are per year and exclude tuition and transportation costs.)
Number of family members (including applicant) | Applications submitted up to Aug 31, 2026 (CAN$) | Applications submitted from Sept 1, 2026 (CAN$) | Difference |
1 | $22,895 | $23,448 | $553 |
2 | $28,502 | $29,192 | $690 |
3 | $35,040 | $35,888 | $848 |
4 | $42,543 | $43,572 | $1,029 |
5 | $48,252 | $49,419 | $1,167 |
6 | $54,420 | $55,736 | $1,316 |
7 | $60,589 | $62,054 | $1,465 |
Each additional family member | +$6,170 | +$6,318 | +$148 |
Source: IRCC
5. Where to Get Help
For questions about your own application, speak with the Passage Study Permit Team who can refer you to a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).