Canada Raises Financial Requirement for International Students Starting September 2025

By Advay July 10, 2025
Alarm 2 Min Read
Copied
Featured

Canada has announced an increase in its cost-of-living financial requirement for international students, raising the threshold to CAD$22,895 from CAD$20,635. The change will apply to all new study permit applications submitted on or after 1 September 2025.

The updated figure reflects Canada’s effort to align study permit requirements with inflation, following a phased approach introduced in December 2023. This increase applies to all provinces and territories, except Quebec, which follows its own financial criteria.

Under the revised guidelines, international students must demonstrate that they can afford tuition fees, living expenses, and transportation costs in Canada without relying on employment during their stay. The financial requirement further scales based on the number of dependents accompanying the student.

This move comes amid growing scrutiny of Canada’s international education policies, especially after the government introduced a national cap on study permits in 2024—a policy later tightened to include master’s students.

The higher financial bar is likely to affect thousands of prospective students from countries such as India, Nigeria, and the Philippines, where affordability has already been a concern. With this adjustment, students may need to reassess their budgeting and funding options before applying.

Canada is not alone in implementing such changes. Australia recently raised its student visa application fee to AUD$2,000, while the UK increased its fee from £490 to £524 in April. Meanwhile, the United States has enacted new immigration charges under the One Big Beautiful Act, including a $250 “visa integrity fee.”

While Canada remains a top global study destination, these cost hikes may impact its competitiveness in the international education market. However, the government maintains that the changes are intended to ensure students are financially stable and can thrive during their academic journey.

More information, including detailed requirements for dependents, is available on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

More Articles

error: Content is protected !!