How much money do I need to show for Canada Express Entry?
Federal Skilled Worker applicants must show settlement funds set by family size: in the current IRCC table, around CAD 15,000 for one person and about CAD 19,000 for two, rising with each additional family member. The money must be yours, unencumbered and available. Canadian Experience Class applicants and those with a valid job offer are exempt.
Who has to show funds
Anyone applying through the Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades streams. You do not need to show funds if you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class, or if you are already authorised to work in Canada and hold a valid job offer.
How much
IRCC publishes a table by family size and updates it, usually each year, against the low-income cut-off. For 2025 the figures were just over CAD 15,000 for a single applicant and about CAD 19,000 for a family of two, with each further member adding a few thousand dollars. Family size counts your spouse and dependent children even if they are not coming with you.
Check the table on IRCC's page on the day you apply; the number that matters is the one in force when you submit.
What counts
- money in chequing and savings accounts in your name, or jointly with your spouse
- fixed deposits that can be withdrawn
- funds in a spouse's account, with a letter confirming you have access
What does not count: property, gold, vehicles, borrowed money, or money that appears in the account shortly before you apply without an explanation. IRCC asks for six months of statements precisely to see where the balance came from.
The proof itself
An official letter from each bank on letterhead, listing every account, the balance, the average balance for six months, and any loans or credit lines against it. Indian banks will issue this on request; ask for it in English.
Keep the balance in place until you land. Officers can ask for updated proof at any point before a decision.
Sources
Checked against these on by Anu Francis, Head of Sales — Canada Migration. Immigration rules change without notice — if you are reading this much later, check them again.