Canada Adjusts Financial Requirement for International Students, Effective September
The Canadian federal government has updated its financial requirements for international students to ensure the standards align with the current economic reality. According to a new policy released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on June 2, 2025, international students applying for a study permit on or after September 1, 2025, will be subject to a new standard for proof of living expenses.
New Standard: An Annual Adjustment Tied to Cost of Living
The core of this policy adjustment is a routine annual update to the financial requirement, aligning it with the latest Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) published by Statistics Canada. Under the new regulations, a single applicant will now need to show a minimum of CAD 22,895 for living expenses, in addition to their first year′s tuition and travel costs. This is an adjustment from the previous requirement of CAD20,635.
IRCC has emphasized that this measure is crucial for ensuring international students have sufficient financial means to cover their expenses and successfully complete their studies in Canada.
This new requirement applies to all international students submitting study permit applications for provinces and territories outside of Quebec.
Transition Period and Standards for Families
To provide applicants with adequate preparation time, IRCC has established a clear transition period. Applications submitted before September 1, 2025, will continue to be assessed under the existing standard, which came into effect on January 1, 2024. All applications submitted on or after the September 1 deadline must meet the new financial threshold.
For applicants bringing family members, the financial requirements are adjusted accordingly. The new annual funds required are as follows:
| Number of Family Members (including applicant) | Annual Funds Required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $22,895 |
| 2 | $28,502 |
| 3 | $35,040 |
| 4 | $42,543 |
| 5 | $48,252 |
| 6 | $54,420 |
| 7 | $60,589 |
| For each additional member over 7 | an additional $6,170 |
How to Effectively Prove Your Financial Capacity
To meet IRCC's requirements, applicants must provide clear and credible financial documents. IRCC offers flexibility by accepting various forms of proof of funds. The following are officially accepted documents:
- Proof of a Canadian bank account in the applicant's name, if money has been transferred to Canada.
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.
- Proof of a student or education loan from a bank.
- Bank statements for the past four months.
- A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars.
- A letter from the person or institution providing the funds.
- Proof of funding paid from within Canada, such as a scholarship or a Canadian-funded educational program.
Industry experts advise that prospective students and their families should closely monitor official announcements from IRCC and begin planning their finances according to the new requirements to ensure a smooth application process. This policy update reflects the Canadian government's commitment to both welcoming international students and safeguarding their well-being during their time in Canada.
Canada's Immigration System Undergoes Key Adjustments: 2025 Mid-Year Review Highlights Quota Reductions and Policy Updates
In the first half of 2025, Canada's immigration system underwent a profound structural adjustment. The federal government not only lowered its permanent resident (PR) admission targets and historically set a cap on temporary residents, but also implemented significant reforms to core programs like Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The new policies reflect a clear strategic intent to tighten overall numbers, prioritize in-Canada applicants, and precisely guide new immigrants toward Francophone communities, rural areas, and key sectors such as healthcare and construction. This series of changes has had a far-reaching impact on global applicants, signaling that Canada's immigration policy is shifting from an era of broad-based intake to one of targeted selection.
07/05/2025
Canada Adjusts Financial Requirement for International Students, Effective September
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on June 2, 2025, an upcoming adjustment to the proof of funds requirement for study permit applicants. Effective September 1, 2025, a single applicant will need to demonstrate access to at least C$22,895 for living expenses. The change, which excludes applicants destined for Quebec, is intended to ensure the financial threshold accurately reflects Canada's current cost of living.
07/04/2025
OINP Undergoes Key Policy Shift: Ontario Can Now Return Applications, Prioritizing "High-Quality" Candidates
Effective July 1, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially implemented a series of new regulations. Under the Working for Workers Seven Act, Ontario's immigration authority has been granted greater autonomy. The most notable change is that the OINP now has the authority to return applications that do not align with current priorities and issue a full refund. This measure aims to ensure that the limited provincial nomination spots are used to attract candidates who can best meet the urgent needs of Ontario's labour market. The new policy also includes mandatory in-person interviews, adjusted education requirements for specific occupations, and the full launch of a new Employer Portal, signaling a fundamental shift in Ontario's immigration selection strategy.
07/03/2025
International Education Stream Dominates Latest Manitoba PNP Draw
On June 26, 2025, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its latest draw, issuing Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to foreign skilled workers and international students with strong connections to the province. The highlight of this draw was the International Education Stream, which invited 478 candidates, all of whom were required to have a close relative supporter residing in Manitoba. The Skilled Worker streams targeted high-scoring candidates selected through strategic recruitment initiatives, issuing 14 invitations and showcasing the province's strategy for targeted talent acquisition.
07/02/2025
IRCC Officially Announces New Dedicated Foreign Worker Stream for Agriculture and Fish Processing Sector
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed in its latest Departmental Plan that it is developing a new stream for foreign workers in the agriculture and fish processing industries. The initiative aims to effectively tackle Canada's long-standing agricultural labour shortages through the introduction of sector-specific work permits and potentially expanded international agreements. This new stream is also viewed as a successor to the Agri-Food Pilot, which recently reached its application cap.
06/30/2025
Alberta Launches Intensive Provincial Nomination Draws, Opens Doors to Global Talent Across Five Streams
Between June 5 and 19, 2025, Alberta's Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted an intensive series of five separate provincial nomination draws, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. This series of draws precisely targeted key gaps in the province's labour market, focusing on attracting talent with professional experience and in-demand skills in specific sectors. Data reveals that over 2,300 nomination spots remain for Alberta's 2025 annual allocation, presenting significant opportunities for global applicants.
06/30/2025
British Columbia Releases 2024 PNP Annual Report: Skills Immigration Dominates, Early Childhood Education Emerges as Top-Nominated Field
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has recently released its 2024 annual statistical report. The report shows that the province successfully issued its full allocation of 8,000 nominations in 2024, with the Skills Immigration category accounting for a staggering 99%. A notable trend is that, driven by the provincial government's prioritization of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), occupations in education and social services have surpassed the tech sector to become the category with the most nominees. Furthermore, the report provides a detailed breakdown of nominee salary levels, primary countries of origin, and confirms major changes made to immigration pathways for international students in 2024.
06/29/2025
Canada Charts Course for 2025-2026 Immigration Policy: New PR Pathway Planned Amid Continued Tightening of Temporary Resident Rules
On June 20, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled its 2025-2026 Departmental Plan, setting a clear direction for immigration policy over the next two years. The plan introduces new immigration avenues for specific groups while continuing and reinforcing the policy of tightening controls on the temporary resident population, a trend that began in 2024. Key measures include proposing the conversion of the 'Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot' into a permanent immigration stream, creating a new work permit for the agriculture and fish processing sectors, adjusting eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs), and explicitly capping the temporary resident population at 5% of Canada's total population. These initiatives reflect the Canadian government's balancing act between attracting needed talent and alleviating pressure on domestic social services.
06/27/2025
Canada's Express Entry Holds Second Draw in a Week, a Major Boost for Experience Class Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again issued invitations through the Express Entry system this week. This latest draw was exclusively for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) who have prior work experience in Canada. A total of 3,000 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521. This marks the first time since February that IRCC has held large-scale CEC draws in consecutive weeks, sparking discussions about a potential shift in future immigration selection trends.
06/27/2025
Canada Overhauls PGWP-Eligible Programs to Align with 2025 Labour Market Demands
On June 25, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a sweeping overhaul of the eligible fields of study for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The changes, designed to align the program with Canada's projected labour market needs for 2025, introduce 119 new eligible programs while removing 178. The new policy heavily favors fields such as healthcare, education, and the trades, while significantly scaling back eligibility for programs in transport and agriculture. These adjustments will primarily impact international students in non-degree programs who apply for their study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
06/26/2025
# Can spouse of international students work in Canada?# How is the CRS Score Calculated?# What is Express Entry?# How to become a licensed immigration consultant in Canada?# Why Need a Professional, Licensed Immigration Consultant for Immigrating to Canada?# How to verify if my immigration consultant is licensed?# Difference between licensed and unlicensed immigration consultants?# Is it mandatory to be licensed to practice immigration consulting in Canada?