Money for studying in Toronto is best thought of around the proof of funds that IRCC requires. It means showing you can cover tuition, living costs, and round-trip transportation. On the ground, OHIP, the TTC, and minimum wage rules also come into play.
IRCC states that it requires proof of funds to cover tuition, living costs, and round-trip transportation without working in Canada. Work in Canada is generally limited to 24 hours a week during regular academic sessions, and the TTC has monthly fare caps.
Proof of funds required for a study permit
IRCC states that a study permit application must show you have enough money to cover tuition, living costs during your stay, and round-trip transportation without working in Canada.
For programs longer than 1 year, you must also explain how you will pay for the whole period. The living cost amounts that IRCC lists do not include tuition and transportation.
- Example: proof of payment for the first year of tuition and housing costs, such as a receipt from a designated learning institution
- Proof of payment alone is not enough; documents showing funds for living costs and transportation are also needed
- A GIC from a Canadian financial institution is listed as an example of a document
- If your home country has foreign exchange controls, you need proof that you can take the funds out of the country
Application fee and working hours
IRCC lists the study permit application fee as 150 Canadian dollars. It says you should apply before traveling to Canada.
You can work only after your study program has started. You cannot work before it begins. During regular academic sessions you can work up to 24 hours a week, and you may add up hours from multiple jobs as long as you meet the conditions of your study permit. Working more than 24 hours a week is a violation of your study permit conditions.
The conditions for working off campus without a work permit include that the program is 6 months or more and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. Being a full-time student at a designated learning institution is also one of the conditions.
Students who can work off campus without a permit can work an unlimited number of hours off campus during scheduled breaks set by the school, such as summer break, winter break, and reading week.
If you are enrolled only in an English or French as a second language program, you cannot work off campus without a work permit. To work, you also need a 9-digit Social Insurance Number (SIN). You can check the conditions for entry and permits (such as visas) with official sources on ABROAD's Canada visa and entry page.
| Item | IRCC guidance |
|---|---|
| Study permit application fee | 150 Canadian dollars |
| Work during regular academic sessions | Up to 24 hours a week |
| During school-scheduled breaks | Unlimited hours for students who can work without a permit |
| When you can start working | After the program has started |
OHIP waiting period, eligibility, and how to apply
OHIP is Ontario's public health insurance. Ontario states that the OHIP waiting period that used to exist no longer applies. People who are eligible get health insurance coverage as soon as they enroll (immediate coverage).
One of the minimum conditions for eligibility is being physically present in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period. Visitors to Ontario from other Canadian provinces and territories or from other countries are not eligible for OHIP.
You must apply for OHIP in person at a ServiceOntario centre. Even after enrolling, coverage applies only when there is a medical reason for the service or treatment, and things such as cosmetic surgery are not covered.
Additional requirements for those working full-time
People staying in Ontario on a valid work permit have additional requirements. One of them is working full-time for an Ontario employer for 6 months or more.
TTC fares and minimum wage
The TTC states that an adult fare of 3.30 Canadian dollars is charged when you ride using an Interac debit card or a credit card. If you pay 47 eligible fares in 1 calendar month with the same payment method, the rest of your rides that month are free. The monthly fare cap and the 2-hour transfer do not apply to cash payments.
Most TTC monthly passes and 12-month passes were discontinued on August 31, when the monthly fare cap began. The adult 12-month pass and the monthly pass for post-secondary students can still be purchased.
Ontario's minimum wage was raised as of October 1. The student wage applies to students such as those under 18 who work up to 28 hours a week while school is in session. For how to look at the overall costs, ABROAD's Canada study abroad cost page may also be helpful.
- A PRESTO card costs 4 Canadian dollars at station vending machines, Shoppers Drug Mart, online, and elsewhere
- Children aged 12 and under ride the TTC for free
Next step
To start, on BLOOM ABROAD's Toronto page you can check the schools, housing, and more that we list. It also has a cost guide and entry points to the Canada visa and travel pages.
The list of Toronto schools brings together the schools currently listed.
Sources
Government and public bodies
- カナダ移民・難民・市民権省（IRCC）留学許可の資金証明（2026年10月19日確認）
- カナダ移民・難民・市民権省（IRCC）留学許可の申請（2026年10月19日確認）
- カナダ移民・難民・市民権省（IRCC）留学生のキャンパス外就労（2026年10月19日確認）
- オンタリオ州政府 OHIP の申請とヘルスカード（2026年10月19日確認）
- オンタリオ州政府 雇用基準法ガイド 最低賃金（2026年10月19日確認）
- TTC 運賃とパス（2026年10月19日確認）
BLOOM (our own and group sites)
- BLOOM ABROAD トロントのページ（2026年10月20日確認）
- BLOOM ABROAD トロントの学校のページ（2026年10月20日確認）
- BLOOM ABROAD トロントの留学保険のページ（2026年10月20日確認）
- BLOOM ABROAD カナダ留学の費用のページ（2026年10月20日確認）
- BLOOM ABROAD カナダ留学のビザ・入国のページ（2026年10月20日確認）
