The Cost of Bringing Your Family to Canada in 2026

Bringing your spouse and children to Canada while you study is a life-changing opportunity—but it costs significantly more than most families anticipate. Following major policy shifts in late 2024 and 2025, the Canadian government now requires international students to demonstrate a much higher level of financial stability. Before you apply, you need a clear picture of the official requirements versus the practical daily costs of supporting a household in Canada.

This article breaks down the 2026 financial landscape. All figures are provided in Canadian Dollars (CAD), as exchange rates fluctuate daily.

What Canada Requires You to Show Upfront

Before a study permit is approved, you must prove you can financially support your entire family. These are the minimum living expense amounts required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

As of September 1, 2025, IRCC adjusted these thresholds to reflect current inflation and cost-of-living data from Statistics Canada. These amounts are in addition to your first year of tuition and return travel costs for every family member.

These amounts are in addition to your full tuition fees and return travel costs for every family member. You must prove you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you, and return transportation for yourself and your accompanying family members.

School Fees for Your Children

If you bring children to Canada, they will need to attend school — and as an international student's dependent, they are classified as international students at their school board. This means fees apply.

Public school tuition for international students varies by province and school board. You must contact your local school board directly to confirm exact fees for your area. Budget for this cost on top of the government's required living expense figures above — it is not included in those amounts.

Health Insurance for Your Family

Health coverage for foreign students is different depending on where you live. Provincial health plans have waiting periods — typically three months — before new arrivals are covered in most provinces. Some provinces do not cover international students at all under their public health plan.

This means you will almost certainly need to purchase private health insurance for your family when you first arrive. Costs vary by province and by the age and health of your family members. Contact your institution's international student office before you arrive to understand what coverage they offer and what you need to purchase privately.

Housing: The Biggest Practical Cost

The government's required living expense figures above are designed to cover housing, food, and basic costs. In reality, housing in major Canadian cities is expensive, and larger families need larger — and more costly — accommodation.

A one-bedroom apartment suitable for a student alone is very different from a two or three-bedroom apartment needed for a family with children. Rental costs vary significantly by city. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive. Cities like Winnipeg, Halifax, and Edmonton are considerably more affordable.

When choosing where to study, housing cost for your family size should be a major factor in your decision.

The Total Picture: What to Budget

Here is a realistic summary of what a family of three — you, your spouse, and one child — should budget for one year in Canada (excluding your own tuition):

The Bottom Line

Bringing your family to Canada is a meaningful and fulfilling decision — but it requires careful financial planning. The costs are real, and underestimating them can put your family in a difficult position once you arrive.

Start by checking which programs fit your budget using ApplyBoard — and factor in your family's full costs from day one.