The Student Direct Stream closed on 8 November 2024. If anyone is still telling you to apply through SDS or that a GIC is compulsory, their information is out of date. Everyone now applies through the regular stream, where a GIC is one accepted proof among several.
Your application
Quebec selects its own students and sets its own amounts.
Including yourself. IRCC sets living costs by household size.
From your letter of acceptance.
Keep the receipt. It counts as proof.
IRCC counts transport separately from living costs.
Sets which 4 months of statements you need.
Only used to show an approximate rupee figure.
Unlock your Canada proof of funds
Your complete IRCC living cost requirement & statement window: one step away.
Where these figures come from
The living-cost table is IRCC's, effective 1 September 2025, last checked on 21 August 2026. It covers all provinces and territories except Quebec, which sets its own amounts. IRCC re-indexes the table every year against Statistics Canada's Low-Income Cut-Off, so the next change is due 1 September 2026.
| Household | Per year |
|---|---|
| 1 person | CA$22,895 |
| 2 people | CA$28,502 |
| 3 people | CA$35,040 |
| 4 people | CA$42,543 |
| 5 people | CA$48,252 |
| 6 people | CA$54,420 |
| 7 people | CA$60,589 |
| Each extra | +CA$6,170 |
A planning aid, not immigration advice. Margam is not a law firm or a licensed immigration consultant.
Applying for a Canadian Study Permit?
Now that SDS is closed, your financial documentation and university acceptance letter require strict verification. Get 1-on-1 profile guidance from Margam.
Book Free Consultation Call