Proof of Funds for Express Entry: How Much You Need
Proof of funds for Express Entry starts at $15,263 for a single applicant and rises with family size: $28,362 for a family of four (IRCC, updated July 7, 2025). Federal Skilled Worker and Skilled Trades applicants must show it. Canadian Experience Class candidates, and people authorized to work in Canada with a valid job offer, are generally exempt. An officer decides whether your proof is sufficient.
$15,263
A single applicant needs this much, as published by IRCC
$28,362
A family of four needs this much
$4,112
Added for each family member beyond seven
July 7, 2025
The date IRCC last updated the table
IRCC updates the table every year. The Funds Calculator shows the figure for your family size.
Who has to show proof of funds?
You need proof of funds to meet the minimum requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). It shows you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada. If IRCC invites you to apply, you must give written proof that you have this money.
You generally do not need proof of funds in two situations:
- You are applying under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- You are currently authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer from an employer, even if you apply through FSWP or FSTP.
IRCC says its system currently asks every applicant for a proof of funds document. An exempt applicant must upload a letter explaining that they were invited under the Canadian Experience Class, or that they have a valid job offer and authorization to work in Canada.
IRCC asks candidates to keep their funds up to date in their profile, because the system may find them eligible for more than one program. They do not always know ahead of time which program they will be invited under. An officer makes the final decision.
The rule
You need proof of funds to meet the minimum requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
How much money do you need?
The amount is based on your family size. You must count every family member, including a spouse and dependent children who are not coming to Canada with you.
| Family members | Funds needed (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,263 |
| 2 people | $19,001 |
| 3 people | $23,360 |
| 4 people | $28,362 |
| 5 people | $32,168 |
| 6 people | $36,280 |
| 7 people | $40,392 |
| Each additional family member | $4,112 |
IRCC updates these figures every year, because they are based on 50 percent of the low income cut-off (LICO) totals. When it updated them, IRCC gave candidates already in the pool until July 28, 2025 to update their profiles.
When the table changes, IRCC says you may need to update the proof of funds in your Express Entry profile to stay eligible.
What does IRCC accept as proof?
You prove your funds with official letters from each bank or financial institution where you hold money. Each letter is printed on the institution’s letterhead and includes:
- The institution’s contact information: address, telephone and email.
- Your name.
- Any outstanding debts, such as credit-card balances or loans.
- For each current banking and investment account, the account number, the date the account was opened, the current balance and the average balance over the past 6 months.
You must prove you can legally access the money in Canada when you arrive. You must also be able to use it to pay for your family’s costs of living, even if they are not coming with you.
IRPR s.76(1)(b)(i) asks for funds that are transferable, available and unencumbered by debts or other obligations. You cannot count equity in real estate (the value of a house or land), and you cannot borrow the money from another person.
If your spouse or common-law partner is accompanying you, funds in a joint account count toward your total. Money held only in your partner’s name may count if you can prove you have access to it.
When must the money be available?
The money must be available both when you submit your application and when IRCC issues your permanent resident visa. It is not enough to have it only on the day you apply. An officer decides whether the requirement is met.
Proof of funds is separate from your CRS score and from the application fees you pay. It is also separate from a job offer’s effect on your points.
Since November 3, 2026 a valid job offer adds CRS points only in an occupation on IRCC’s high-wage list (100, 70 or 50 points). A valid job offer combined with authorized work in Canada can still exempt you from showing settlement funds, whether or not the occupation is on that list.
IRCC’s Federal Skilled Worker page, modified November 3, 2026, still states that exemption and says a job offer no longer needs an LMIA to qualify.
Which free tool checks your own case?
- Document ChecklistTypical documents by application type
- CRS CalculatorYour Express Entry points, factor by factor
- Fee CalculatorCurrent government fees, itemized
Free, with no account. What you enter in a tool stays in your browser.
What do people ask?
How much proof of funds do I need for Express Entry in 2026?
It depends on family size. As published by IRCC (updated July 7, 2025), a single applicant needs CAD $15,263, a couple needs $19,001 and a family of four needs $28,362. The table runs to $40,392 for seven people, plus $4,112 for each additional member. IRCC updates it every year. Our Funds Calculator shows the figure for your family size.
Do I need proof of funds for the Canadian Experience Class?
No. Canadian Experience Class applicants do not need to show settlement funds. The same exemption covers anyone authorized to work in Canada who has a valid job offer, even when invited under another program. Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants without both must show the funds. Our Express Entry guide explains the three programs and how an invitation names one.
Do I need proof of funds for Express Entry if I am inside Canada?
It depends on work authorization and a job offer, wherever you live. A person authorized to work in Canada who holds a valid job offer is generally exempt, even under the Federal Skilled Worker or Skilled Trades program, and CEC candidates are exempt too. Since November 3, 2026 a job offer adds CRS points only in a high-wage occupation, but this exemption stands apart from points. Our job offer points guide covers that change.
Can I use my house or borrowed money as proof of funds?
No. You cannot count equity in real estate, and you cannot borrow the money from another person. IRPR s.76(1)(b)(i) asks for funds that are transferable, available and unencumbered by debts or other obligations. You must be able to access the money legally in Canada, and it must be available both when you apply and when your PR visa is issued. Our Funds Calculator cites the same rule.
What documents does IRCC accept as proof of funds?
Official letters from each bank or financial institution where you hold money. Each letter must be on letterhead with the institution's contact details, your name and any debts, and for each account the number, opening date, current balance and 6-month average balance. Joint accounts with an accompanying spouse can count. Our Document Checklist tool lists the rest of an Express Entry file.
Do I count family members who are not coming to Canada with me?
Yes. The settlement-funds amount is based on your total family size, which includes a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children even if they are not coming to Canada. Counting fewer people than your real family size can leave you below the minimum that applies to you. Enter your full family size in our Funds Calculator to see the amount that applies.
What happens if my balance drops below the minimum after I apply?
IRCC says your funds must be available both when you apply and when it issues a permanent resident visa. The money must still be there when the visa is issued, and an officer decides whether the requirement is met. Keep the money stable and liquid until your permanent resident visa is issued. Our Express Entry guide walks through the steps from invitation to visa.
Part of:Immigrating permanentlyExpress Entry
- Canada Express Entry 2026: Latest Changes
- Express Entry Job Offer Points 2026: Back for High-Wage Jobs
- Canada Immigration Processing Times 2026
The textbook on this subject
Volume 2: Immigrating to Canada $79
The economic and family pathways to permanent residence, explained from the published criteria.
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This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.