How much money do you need to show for a Canada study permit in 2026?

For applications on or after 1 September 2025, a single applicant studying outside Quebec must show CA$22,895 for living costs — in addition to first-year tuition and travel. IRCC raised this from CAD 20,635; most older guides still quote the old figure. Larger families show more, per the family-size table.

Does the proof of funds include tuition or is it separate?

Separate. IRCC's living-cost figure (CAD 22,895 for one person) is on top of your first-year tuition and your travel cost. So a student with CAD 18,000 tuition and a CAD 1,500 flight must show 22,895 + 18,000 + 1,500 = CAD 42,395 in total. The living amount is never a substitute for tuition.

How much extra do I need if my spouse comes with me to Canada?

Add them to your family size. Two people (you + spouse) need CA$28,502 in living costs instead of CA$22,895 — about CA$5,607 more per year — plus their share of travel. Tuition stays the same because only you study.

Can I use a GIC or an education loan as proof of funds?

Yes to both. A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian bank is the cleanest proof and is required under some streams. A sanctioned education loan from a recognised bank also counts when the funds are available to you. Combine with bank statements showing 4–6 months of history for a stronger application.

Is the proof of funds requirement different for Quebec?

Yes. Quebec sets its own figures through the Ministère de l'Immigration (MIFI), and for 2026 they were raised sharply — well above the federal amount. This calculator covers institutions outside Quebec. If your college or university is in Quebec, use the MIFI figure instead of the amount shown here.

What exchange rate should I use for the LKR figure?

Use the rate your bank will apply when you buy the CAD or open the GIC, since that is what determines how many rupees you actually need. The calculator defaults to Rs 220 per CAD but the field is editable — check a current LKR/CAD rate and update it. The CAD total is what IRCC assesses; the LKR view is for your planning.

Do these figures guarantee my study permit is approved?

No. Meeting the funds minimum is necessary but not sufficient — a visa officer weighs your whole application, including ties to Sri Lanka, study plan, and the source of your funds. Officers can ask for more than the minimum. Treat this tool as the floor for your bank balance, then confirm details on canada.ca before applying.

When were these amounts last verified?

The living-cost figures and family-size table were last cross-checked against IRCC's official financial-support page on 2026-07-17. The single-applicant amount of CA$22,895 has applied since 1 September 2025. Amounts are reviewed whenever IRCC updates the cost-of-living requirement.

Canada · Study permit

Canada Study Permit Proof of Funds Calculator

Find the exact bank balance to prove for a Canada study permit from Sri Lanka. Uses IRCC's living-cost figure by family size (outside Quebec), plus your tuition and travel, in CAD and LKR. Updated for the CA$22,895 amount effective 1 September 2025.

By Induwara Ashinsana— Executive Director, Ryzera TechnologiesUpdated Jul 17, 2026

Proof of funds requiredOutside Quebec

IRCC · effective 1 September 2025

Family size (you + accompanying members)

Count yourself plus any spouse and children coming with you to Canada.

First-year tuition (CAD)

CA$

The tuition on your admission or offer letter.

Travel — return airfare (CAD)

CA$

One round-trip ticket per travelling person.

Savings you can show

Optional — enter it to see your shortfall or surplus.

Exchange rate (LKR per 1 CAD)

Editable — update to today's rate for an accurate LKR view.

Total to show (CAD)

CA$42,395

Total to show (LKR)

Rs 9,326,900

Living expenses (CAD)

CA$22,895

Family size 1

Savings gap

Enter your savings above to check the gap.

Breakdown

Component	CAD	LKR
Living expenses	CA$22,895	Rs 5,036,900
First-year tuition	CA$18,000	Rs 3,960,000
Travel (return airfare)	CA$1,500	Rs 330,000
Total proof of funds	CA$42,395	Rs 9,326,900

Acceptable proof of funds

Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) — A GIC of at least the required living-cost amount from a participating Canadian bank is the cleanest proof and is mandatory under some streams.
Bank statements with history — Statements for the past 4–6 months showing the funds have been held, not just deposited days before applying.
Education loan sanction letter — A sanctioned (approved) education loan from a recognised bank counts toward the total when the funds are available to you.
Scholarship or bursary letter — An official award letter stating the amount and duration reduces the funds you must show yourself.
Sponsor letter + sponsor income proof — If a parent or relative sponsors you, include their letter plus their bank statements, pay slips or tax returns.

Studying in Quebec?

Quebec sets its own — and for 2026 much higher — proof-of-funds figures separate from the federal amount. This calculator covers institutions outside Quebec. For a Quebec college or university, use the amount published by the Ministère de l'Immigration (MIFI), not the figure here.

The single-applicant living-cost figure is CA$22,895 for applications on or after 1 September 2025. These are IRCC minimums — a visa officer can ask for more. Verify on canada.ca before applying.

·Living costs are additional to tuition and travel, never a substitute.

How it works

A Canada study permit application must prove you can pay for one year of living costs plus your tuition and travel. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes a fixed cost-of-living figure by family size on its “Proof of financial support” page. For applications submitted on or after 1 September 2025, the single-applicant figure for study outside Quebec is CA$22,895 per year — up from the old CAD 20,635 that many agent sites still quote.

The calculator applies IRCC's rule in three steps:

Look up living costs by family size. Sizes 1 to 7 each have an explicit published amount; every family member beyond 7 adds CA$6,167. Family size means you plus any spouse and children travelling with you.
- 1 person: CA$22,895
- 2 people: CA$28,502
- 3 people: CA$35,040
- 4 people: CA$42,545
- 5 people: CA$48,255
- 6 people: CA$54,422
- 7 people: CA$60,591
- each additional member: +CA$6,167
Add tuition and travel. Total = living + first-year tuition + return airfare. IRCC is explicit that the living-cost figure is in addition to tuition and travel — it never replaces them.
Convert to rupees and check the gap. Each CAD amount is multiplied by your editable LKR/CAD rate. If you enter the savings you can show, the tool converts them to CAD and reports your surplus or shortfall against the total.

The family-size rows 1–3 are published verbatim by IRCC; rows 4–7 and the per-member add-on are the prior official base table scaled by 22,895 / 20,635. As a cross-check, scaling the prior single-applicant amount that way gives CA$22,895, matching the published CA$22,895 exactly. All amounts are IRCC minimums — an officer may require more, and Quebec institutions use a separate, higher figure.

Worked examples

Single student, Ontario

Family size 1 · tuition CA$18,000 · travel CA$1,500 · rate Rs 220

Living expenses (size 1): CA$22,895
Total: 22,895 + 18,000 + 1,500 = CA$42,395
In rupees: 42,395 × 220 = Rs 9,326,900
Savings shown Rs 8,000,000 → 8,000,000 ÷ 220 = CA$36,363.64
Gap: 36,363.64 − 42,395 = −CA$6,031.36 (≈ Rs 1,326,900 short)

Married student bringing a spouse

Family size 2 · tuition CA$25,000 · travel CA$3,000 · rate Rs 220

Living expenses (size 2): CA$28,502
Total: 28,502 + 25,000 + 3,000 = CA$56,502
In rupees: 56,502 × 220 = Rs 12,430,440
Savings shown CA$60,000 (already in CAD)
Gap: 60,000 − 56,502 = +CA$3,498 surplus → funds sufficient

Family-size sanity check

Family size 5 · tuition 0 · travel 0

Living expenses (size 5): CA$48,255 — the explicit published row
This is NOT size-4 (42,545) plus one add-on; the per-member add-on of CA$6,167 applies only beyond size 7
Total with no tuition or travel: CA$48,255

Frequently asked questions

Sources & references

These figures were last cross-checked against IRCC's financial-support page on 2026-07-17. The single-applicant living-cost amount of CA$22,895 (Rs 5,036,900 at Rs 220/CAD) has applied since 1 September 2025. This tool covers study outside Quebec and is a planning aid, not immigration advice.

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