Explanation: the Study Permit (Student Direct Stream, SDS) Requirements
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Proof of Means of Financial Support (required)
Temporary Residents
If you are visiting Canada, you must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who will be with you while you are in Canada. Provide as many of these documents as you can:
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- your bank statements for the past four months
- a bank draft in convertible currency
- pay stubs
- an employment letter
- proof of assets or business
- proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees
- tax reports, declarations or statements
- proof of a student/education loan from a financial institution
- a letter from the person or institution providing you with money
- proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program
- proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if money has been transferred to Canada
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Proof of financial support
You must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who come with you while you are in Canada.
You can prove your funds with
- proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you’ve transferred money to Canada
- a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
- proof of a student or education loan from a bank
- your bank statements for the past 4 months
- a bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
- proof you paid tuition and housing fees
- a letter from the person or school giving you money, or
- proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program
Minimum funds needed to support yourself as a student (and family members who come with you)
| Persons coming to Canada | Amount of funds required per year (not including tuition) | Amount of funds required per month (not including tuition) |
|---|---|---|
| You (the student) | CAN$10,000 | CAN$833 |
| First family member | CAN$4,000 | CAN$333 |
| Every additional accompanying family member | CAN$3,000 | CAN$255 |
Example
If you and 2 family members want to come to a province (other than Quebec) for a year, you will need
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- living expenses: $10,000 (for the student)
- living expenses: $4,000 (for the first family member)
- living expenses: $3,000 (for the second family member)
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Total: $17,000
| People coming to Canada | Amount of funds required per year (not including tuition) | Amount of funds required per month (not including tuition) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person under the age of 18 | CAN$6,569 | CAN$547 |
| 1 person aged 18 or over | CAN$13,134 | CAN$1,095 |
| 2 people aged 18 or over | CAN$19,264 | CAN$1,605 |
| 2 people aged 18 or over and 1 person under the age of 18 | CAN$21,579 | CAN$1,798 |
| 2 people aged 18 or over and 2 people under the age of 18 | CAN$23,290 | CAN$1,941 |
If your country uses foreign-exchange controls, you must prove that you’ll be allowed to export funds for all of your expenses.
