What changed on September 1, 2026: the minimum funds
Each year the Canadian government updates how much money you must show to cover your living costs during the first year of studies. For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, the amounts are:
- 1 person (the student): CAD $23,448
- 2 people: CAD $29,192
- 3 people: CAD $35,888
- 4 people: CAD $43,572
Between January 2025 and August 2026 the minimum for one person was CAD $22,895, so the increase is moderate, but it is worth factoring in when you prepare your bank statements.
Two important clarifications. These amounts do not include tuition or transportation, which are demonstrated separately. And you must prove you have the funds for the full first year; if the program is longer, you also have to explain how you will pay for the rest, for example with a scholarship or with your parents' employment.
The provincial attestation letter (PAL) in 2026: who needs one and who does not
The provincial or territorial attestation letter, known as a PAL or TAL, is the document by which a province confirms it has assigned you one of the available spaces for international students. Most post-secondary students need one. But there are exemptions many families do not know about:
- Preschool, elementary and high school up to grade 12: no PAL required. The caps do not apply to children and teenagers in school.
- Master's and doctoral programs at public institutions: exempt as of January 1, 2026. In 2025 they did need one; in 2026 they were taken back out of the cap.
- Programs under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.
If you do need one, keep in mind that the PAL is tied to the school and to the cap year. One issued in 2026 is valid until December 31, 2026, and since January 2025 you must obtain a new one if you change schools. If your application was refused or approved, you also need a new one in order to apply again.
The documents Canada requires
This is what goes into a study permit application:
- Letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI). Always.
- Provincial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), unless you are exempt. In Quebec, the CAQ.
- Passport and two passport-size photographs.
- Proof of funds, using the amounts above plus tuition.
- Letter of explanation setting out why you want to study in Canada. It is not mandatory, but the government recommends it and we consider it essential.
- Medical exam, if you will be staying more than six months.
- Police certificate, if your visa office requests one.
- A custodian in Canada, mandatory for minors under 17 who are not travelling with a parent or legal guardian.
If your child is going to elementary or high school
For families weighing a school year in Canada, the conclusion is encouraging: children and teenagers fall outside the cap system and do not need a provincial attestation letter, which makes their application simpler and more predictable than a university student's.
The document that really decides their case is a different one: the custodianship declaration. A minor under 17 studying in Canada without their parents must have an adult custodian who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, appointed through a form notarized in both countries. It is the document that sinks the most applications for minors when it is done poorly, which is why at Goldstone Education we prepare it ourselves.
Another point that is sometimes overlooked: a minor studying for six months or more must obtain the permit before entering Canada. You cannot arrive as a visitor and sort it out afterwards.
About the post-graduation work permit
The rules for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) have changed several times over the past two years, both in the eligible fields of study and in the language requirements. If your plan includes working in Canada after graduating, that decision has to be made before you choose the program, not after. Talk to us and we will review it against the rules in force at the time of your application.
How we help
As a regulated Canadian immigration consultancy (RCIC), at Goldstone Immigration we prepare and file your study permit application, and at Goldstone Education we guide families with school-age children, including custodianship. Write to us and we will review your case against the current rules.
Source: IRCC, study permit requirements, proof of financial support and provincial attestation letter, consulted in September 2026.