How much money do Filipino students need to show?
Short answer: You must show first-year tuition plus at least $22,895 CAD for living expenses (outside Quebec, for one person, applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025); for most college applicants, total proof of funds required is $35,000 to $45,000 CAD.
IRCC sets annual living-expense minimums per the following table. These amounts do NOT include tuition or transportation costs. The figures below apply to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, for study outside Quebec.
| Family members travelling with you (including you) | Required living expenses per year (CAD) |
|---|
| 1 (student only) | $22,895 |
| 2 | $28,502 |
| 3 | $35,040 |
| 4 | $42,543 |
|
Source: IRCC proof of financial support
For a solo college student paying $14,000 CAD in tuition, total proof required is approximately $36,895 CAD for the first year. For a university student paying $28,000 CAD, it is approximately $50,895 CAD.
Acceptable sources of proof for Filipino applicants:
- Bank statements from BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Security Bank, or RCBC showing 6 or more months of consistent balance
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of at least $22,895 CAD from a Canadian bank such as Scotiabank, CIBC, or RBC. The GIC is the most commonly accepted proof for Filipino applicants because it is easy for IRCC officers to verify.
- Sponsor letter from a parent or guardian, accompanied by the parent's payslips, bank statements, and employment certificate
- Education loan from a Philippine bank
- Scholarship letter if funded by a Philippine government body or company
One common gotcha: if the funds are held in a parent's name, the sponsor letter must explain the family relationship, the parent's income source, and how the funds will be transferred to Canada.
Where do Filipino students submit biometrics?
Short answer: Biometrics (fingerprints and a digital photo) are submitted at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Manila or Cebu; after you submit your online study-permit application and pay the biometrics fee, IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter telling you where and how to book your appointment.
The Philippines has two VAC locations operated by VFS Global on behalf of Canada:
- Manila (serves Metro Manila and surrounding provinces)
- Cebu (serves the Visayas and Mindanao regions)
You book your biometrics appointment only after IRCC issues a biometric instruction letter, which arrives by email after you submit your online application. You cannot book without this letter. Bring the letter plus your passport to the appointment.
Biometrics collected in the Philippines are valid for 10 years. If you gave biometrics for a previous Canadian visa application within the past 10 years, you do not need to give them again unless IRCC requests an update.
For more information on when biometrics are required, visit the IRCC biometrics page.
What is the study-permit application timeline from the Philippines?
Short answer: Realistic total timeline from admission offer to arriving in Canada is 4 to 7 months; Philippine applications are processed by the Manila visa office, and current processing times sit in the 8 to 16 week range after biometrics, though this changes frequently.
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|
| Receive admission offer from DLI | Starting point |
| Pay tuition deposit, accept offer | 0 to 2 weeks |
| School requests Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) |
Check current processing times at IRCC's processing time tool before planning your intake semester.
Important: Apply at least 5 to 6 months before your program start date. Missing a semester because of a late application is a common and avoidable mistake.
Can Filipino students work while studying in Canada?
Short answer: Yes, full-time students at a DLI can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular school terms without a separate work permit, and full-time during scheduled breaks; on-campus work is also permitted without a separate work permit.
The IRCC off-campus work page sets out the current rules. Key points:
- 24 hours per week off campus during school terms (this limit increased from 20 hours in November 2022)
- Full-time during scheduled breaks (Christmas, Reading Week, summer)
- Work must not start until your study program begins
- Conditions allowing off-campus work must be printed on your study permit; if they are missing, request an amendment before starting work
In practice, most Filipino students work in retail, food service, or care work alongside their studies. Minimum wage in Ontario is $17.60 per hour (as of 2026); 24 hours per week at minimum wage generates roughly $22,000 CAD per year before tax, which meaningfully reduces the financial pressure on families back home.
