Canada directs officers to not issue student visa unless these conditions are met

Canada has updated its guidelines for evaluating study permit applications, implementing stricter financial checks on prospective international students. According to the revised instructions released on July 24, 2026, immigration officers must scrutinize both the quantity and source of funds an applicant possesses. Officers may also inspect supplementary financial and employment documentation to ascertain whether applicants are bona fide students capable of covering their expenses for the entire duration of their program.

Despite not altering the minimum financial threshold, the updated regulations mandate a more comprehensive examination of the applicants' financial situation. This includes verifying the origin of funds and potentially requesting extra supporting documents, such as bank statements, based on the specifics of each case. The guidance specifies that applicants might be asked to provide six months of bank statements, compared to the previous four-month requirement.

Moreover, the revised instructions now include pension income and rental property earnings as valid proofs of financial support. Previously, only bank drafts convertible into Canadian dollars were mentioned as acceptable documentation. For students extending their study permits, officers are to evaluate the needed funds for the subsequent year following the extension.

The financial requirement remains unchanged at C$22,895 for a single student studying outside Quebec, excluding tuition and travel costs. However, the new assessment criteria require officers to scrutinize the source of funds more rigorously, potentially leading to increased scrutiny for applicants who cannot clearly demonstrate the origin or sustainability of their financial resources.