The Quebec government has announced a significant increase in the amount of money international students must prove they have to study in the province. The new financial requirement, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, will see the minimum living expense threshold jump to $24,617 for a single person.
A Sharp Increase in Required Funds
This change represents a substantial hike from the previous levels. For a single student over the age of 18, the required amount was $15,508. For minors under 18, the requirement was $7,756. The new, unified standard of $24,617 marks an increase of nearly $10,000 for most adult applicants.
According to Émilie Vézina, a spokesperson for Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration, the adjustment is necessary. "The regulatory amendments were developed to better reflect the rapidly changing cost of living," Vézina stated. The goal is to prevent situations where students arrive without sufficient means and to better prepare them for the economic realities of life in Quebec.
Part of a Broader Policy Shift
This move is the latest in a series of restrictions placed on higher education by the Legault government. Recent years have seen:
- Tuition hikes for out-of-province and international students.
- French-language proficiency requirements for undergraduates from outside Quebec.
- Caps on international student admissions.
These policies have collectively led to a sharp decline in admission rates at Quebec universities. Institutions are now facing financial strain, which has resulted in staff layoffs and budget cuts. When contacted by media, McGill University declined to comment on the new financial rule, while Concordia University and student unions at both schools did not respond by the publication deadline.
How the New Minimum is Calculated
The government states that the assessment of basic needs is determined using the "mesure du panier de consommation" (market basket measure). This metric, calculated by the Institut de la statistique du Québec, evaluates the cost of goods and services considered necessary for a family to meet its basic needs.
Vézina emphasized that this is one of the most widely used measures by the Quebec government for such determinations. The amounts are revised annually to keep pace with inflation and living costs. "The goal is to prevent as much as possible from welcoming foreign students who could find themselves in a very vulnerable situation," she explained.
For prospective international students, this policy change means more rigorous financial planning is required well in advance of the 2026 deadline. It adds another layer of consideration for those choosing Quebec as their study destination amidst an already competitive and regulated environment.
