Canada has stepped up scrutiny of the financial documents submitted by international students applying for study permits, with immigration officers now placing greater emphasis on the source, stability and credibility of applicants' funds, even though the minimum proof-of-funds requirement remains unchanged.
The tighter focus follows updated guidance issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), directing officers to examine applicants' funding more closely and request additional financial and employment documents where necessary. Analyses by BorderPass and ApplyBoard suggest that while students may have sufficient funds, their ability to clearly document them is becoming a decisive factor in visa approvals.
