The Canadian province of Quebec is set to increase the financial capacity requirements for international students from January 1, 2026.
The new rules mandate that a single applicant must demonstrate access to CAD $24,617 in available funds for living expenses. This figure is separate from tuition fees and travel costs.
This is more than triple the current minimum for minors and a substantial increase for adult applicants. The required amounts rise with each additional family member.
It was also gathered that the new financial requirement will apply to first-time applicants and those seeking study permit extensions in the Canadian province of Quebec. Students must show they can meet Quebec’s cost-of-living requirement separate from tuition and travel costs.
Documents that show financial capacity may include bank statements, bank letters, student loan approvals, and scholarship letters.
These requirements must be met during the initial application and again during renewals if the permit is extended.
A breakdown of the new financial requirements for international students in the Canadian province of Quebec showed that from January 1, 2026, students under 18 will be required to provide CAD $24,617, up from CAD $7,756.
One person 18 or older will now have to provide CAD $24,617 proof of funds, up from CAD $15,508.
Two adults will be mandated to provide CAD $34,814, an increment from CAD $22,745.
Two adults + one child will no longer be required to show CAD $25,479 as proof of funds but will now be mandated to provide CAD $42,638 as part of the new financial requirements.
Also, two adults + two children will now have to abide by a CAD $49,234 financial requirement, an increment from CAD $27,499.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that popular higher education institutions in Quebec include McGill University, the Université de Montréal, Concordia University, and Laval University, which are well-known for their academic programs and international student populations.
Aside from proof of funds, international students are now required to show that they can afford tuition fees, travel expenses, basic living costs such as food, housing, and transportation to study in the Canadian province of Quebec.
In addition to these, students also need to show that they can cover health and hospital insurance for themselves and any accompanying family members.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass also reports that international students in the Canadian province of Quebec will now be required to prove their financial capacity twice in the study permit process. One is at the provincial stage (Quebec), while the other is at the federal stage (Canada IRCC).
What Documents Can Be Used As Proof?
Any evidence that clearly shows you have access to the required money, such as:
Bank statements or bank letters
Proof of student loan
Scholarship confirmation letters
Financial support letters from sponsors
This move comes after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released the much-anticipated breakdown of the 2026 study permit cap and its subsequent provincial study permit application allocations.
This move represents a recalibration of Canada’s international student program, aiming to manage the country’s temporary resident population.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass had earlier reported that IRCC pegged the 2026 student permit cap at 408,000.
This is a total study permit that includes both new arrivals and extensions for students already in Canada. This target is lower than in previous years, reflecting the government’s strategy to restore sustainability to the system.
