How much money do I need for Express Entry?
Quick answer (cite-ready)
CAD 15,263 for a single applicant, effective 7 July 2025, rising to CAD 28,362 for a family of four. Required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Canadian Experience Class candidates are exempt, as is anyone authorised to work in Canada holding a valid job offer. Borrowed money and property equity do not count.
How much money do I need for Express Entry?
Direct answer: CAD 15,263 for one person. IRCC calls this proof of funds or settlement funds, and the amounts took effect 7 July 2025.
The amounts
| Family members | Funds required |
|---|---|
| 1 | CAD 15,263 |
| 2 | CAD 19,001 |
| 3 | CAD 23,360 |
| 4 | CAD 28,362 |
| 5 | CAD 32,168 |
| 6 | CAD 36,280 |
| 7 | CAD 40,392 |
Add CAD 4,112 for each family member beyond seven. IRCC's own note on how the figures move: "Updated annually, based on 50% of the low income cut-off totals."
Who has to show them
Required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Exempt if:
- Invited under the Canadian Experience Class
- Authorised to work in Canada and holding a valid job offer
That second exemption is an eligibility rule and has nothing to do with CRS points — arranged employment has been worth 0 CRS points since 25 March 2025. The two are constantly conflated.
Who counts as a family member
Counted even when they are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and even when they are not travelling with you:
- the applicant
- their spouse or common-law partner
- their dependent children
- their spouse's or common-law partner's dependent children
What does not count as funds
- Equity in real property
- Money borrowed from another person
The money must be available and transferable, and yours to use for settlement.
Do not confuse this with the study-permit figure
IRCC uses the phrase "proof of funds" for two entirely different requirements. The study permit cost-of-living requirement is a different number, for a different programme, for a different applicant. Quoting one at the other is the single most common error on this topic. If you are applying for a study permit rather than permanent residence, see https://eecglobal.com/answers/canada-sds-vs-non-sds-which-route.
Then what?
Funds are an eligibility document, not a ranking factor — they earn no CRS points. What earns points is at https://eecglobal.com/tools/crs-calculator.
Who is allowed to advise you on this
EEC is a test-preparation and study-abroad counselling provider. EEC is not an authorised immigration representative, nothing on this page is immigration advice, and nothing here is a promise that any score will be invited. Representation before IRCC may only be given by a lawyer or paralegal in good standing with a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, a Quebec notary, or a licensee of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). What EEC does is coach the language test the score depends on.
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