Is My Proof of Funds Strong Enough for a Study Permit? Need Guidance

[SPIW1221]

Hi everyone,
I’m in the process of applying for a Canadian study permit and I’d appreciate any advice or feedback based on your experience or expertise.

Here’s my financial setup so far:

• My first-year tuition is CAD 21,000.
• I have CAD 27,000 in my personal bank account, recently deposited.
• My relatives in Canada will support me with living expenses, and they’re providing a letter of financial support.
• My parents will also provide an affidavit of support to show they are contributing to my educational costs.

I want to make sure that this setup meets IRCC’s proof of funds requirements.
Here are my concerns:

• The funds in my account were only deposited recently, and I’ve read that IRCC may prefer to see bank history from the past 3–6 months to ensure the funds are stable and not just placed for show.
• I'm not sure how much weight IRCC gives to support letters from relatives, even if they live in Canada.
• I want to confirm whether the combination of personal savings and family support is strong enough or if I need to prepare more documentation.

If anyone has been approved with a similar situation — or if you have insights into how IRCC officers assess this kind of financial setup — I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and help!

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi everyone,
I’m in the process of applying for a Canadian study permit and I’d appreciate any advice or feedback based on your experience or expertise.

Here’s my financial setup so far:

• My first-year tuition is CAD 21,000.
• I have CAD 27,000 in my personal bank account, recently deposited.
• My relatives in Canada will support me with living expenses, and they’re providing a letter of financial support.
• My parents will also provide an affidavit of support to show they are contributing to my educational costs.

I want to make sure that this setup meets IRCC’s proof of funds requirements.
Here are my concerns:

• The funds in my account were only deposited recently, and I’ve read that IRCC may prefer to see bank history from the past 3–6 months to ensure the funds are stable and not just placed for show.
• I'm not sure how much weight IRCC gives to support letters from relatives, even if they live in Canada.
• I want to confirm whether the combination of personal savings and family support is strong enough or if I need to prepare more documentation.

If anyone has been approved with a similar situation — or if you have insights into how IRCC officers assess this kind of financial setup — I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and help!

Relative providing letter of financial support is not relevant.

You (or parents if under 22) need to show that you have in the bank $42k unless you have paid tuition.

 

[SPIW1221]

Relative providing letter of financial support is not relevant.

You (or parents if under 22) need to show that you have in the bank $42k unless you have paid tuition.

Thank you so much for the information and I understand your point, in fact I would like to comprehend better this matter as it has been confusing me from the start. My relatives (uncle and aunt, who are in Canada) told me it was alright to deposit in my bank just enough (27k) to cover the tuition amount (21k), because they could support me with living costs by providing documents like pay slips, tax papers, and a letter of support.

However I'm not fully convinced — they say it's fine if tuition is covered and living costs are supported with "proof" by them, while as I researched majority says I need the full tuition + living expenses (20,635 CAD) in my own or my parents' account.

Therefore will my relatives' support still be accounted? And if so, do I also still need to present a complete amount of funds?

 

[scylla]

Thank you so much for the information and I understand your point, in fact I would like to comprehend better this matter as it has been confusing me from the start. My relatives (uncle and aunt, who are in Canada) told me it was alright to deposit in my bank just enough (27k) to cover the tuition amount (21k), because they could support me with living costs by providing documents like pay slips, tax papers, and a letter of support.

However I'm not fully convinced — they say it's fine if tuition is covered and living costs are supported with "proof" by them, while as I researched majority says I need the full tuition + living expenses (20,635 CAD) in my own or my parents' account.

Therefore will my relatives' support still be accounted? And if so, do I also still need to present a complete amount of funds?

You need to show the complete amount of funds. No, your relatives supporting you will not be counted.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thank you so much for the information and I understand your point, in fact I would like to comprehend better this matter as it has been confusing me from the start. My relatives (uncle and aunt, who are in Canada) told me it was alright to deposit in my bank just enough (27k) to cover the tuition amount (21k), because they could support me with living costs by providing documents like pay slips, tax papers, and a letter of support.

However I'm not fully convinced — they say it's fine if tuition is covered and living costs are supported with "proof" by them, while as I researched majority says I need the full tuition + living expenses (20,635 CAD) in my own or my parents' account.

Therefore will my relatives' support still be accounted? And if so, do I also still need to present a complete amount of funds?

No. Living with them and them saying they will support you is not relevant. They can kick you out and nothing you can do about it. You need to show cash in the bank for the $42k. Your relatives cash in the bank doesn't have to be considered. Their jobs with tax slips mean nothing. It is not cash. They are not considered immediate nor extended family to IRCC.

 

[canuck78]

What type of studies, how long is the program and what school?

 

[SPIW1221]

No. Living with them and them saying they will support you is not relevant. They can kick you out and nothing you can do about it. You need to show cash in the bank for the $42k. Your relatives cash in the bank doesn't have to be considered. Their jobs with tax slips mean nothing. It is not cash. They are not considered immediate nor extended family to IRCC.

I understand now thank you very much. Recently I've found a way to increase the amount in my bank account to reach the sum you mentioned, thanks to my grandparents help, therefore I'd like to ask since the deposit is recent and quite large, how can I explain that it was a genuine gift from them? Would a letter of explanation and an affidavit of support be enough to show the source of the funds? I really want to make sure everything is transparent for IRCC.

 

[SPIW1221]

What type of studies, how long is the program and what school?

A BTech in Information Technology so 4 years at KPU in Vancouver.

 

[Naturgrl]

I understand now thank you very much. Recently I've found a way to increase the amount in my bank account to reach the sum you mentioned, thanks to my grandparents help, therefore I'd like to ask since the deposit is recent and quite large, how can I explain that it was a genuine gift from them? Would a letter of explanation and an affidavit of support be enough to show the source of the funds? I really want to make sure everything is transparent for IRCC.

Should have done a gift deed but get a notarized letter of the gift. If a 4 year program then how are you paying for the other 3 years.

 

[SPIW1221]

Should have done a gift deed but get a notarized letter of the gift. If a 4 year program then how are you paying for the other 3 years.

Well, my family has a long-term financial plan in place. We will be covering the upcoming years through a combination of ongoing family support, personal savings, and possibly part-time work. If I mention this in my letter of explanation will it be alright?

 

[Naturgrl]

Well, my family has a long-term financial plan in place. We will be covering the upcoming years through a combination of ongoing family support, personal savings, and possibly part-time work. If I mention this in my letter of explanation will it be alright?

Maybe. Provide all the documentation you have. Your part time work may cover rent and food but not much more.

 

[SPIW1221]

Maybe. Provide all the documentation you have. Your part time work may cover rent and food but not much more.

Okay thank you, I'll make sure to do it. Then after getting a notarized letter of the gift, do I have to provide certain documents from my grandparents, as the cash basically comes from their savings account?

 

[Naturgrl]

Okay thank you, I'll make sure to do it. Then after getting a notarized letter of the gift, do I have to provide certain documents from my grandparents, as the cash basically comes from their savings account?

Yes because they have dumped cash into your account and must be documented where the money came from.