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Got your study permit visa — can you withdraw savings before flying, or do you need fresh proof of funds?

Canada • Study Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • Bank statement (proof of funds)

    Border officers may ask to see this at the port of entry to confirm you can support yourself — the requirement depends on your visa stream.

Step-by-Step

After getting a study permit visa, some applicants wonder whether they can withdraw from the savings account used as proof of funds, or whether they need a fresh statement before flying since a couple of months have passed since the original documents were issued.

What group members advised:
  1. You need to carry proof of available funds when you arrive in Canada, since the border officer can ask you to demonstrate you're able to meet your financial obligations — this isn't just a paperwork step for the visa application itself.

  2. Whether older statements are enough (or a fresh one is needed) depends on which stream you applied under — requirements differ, for example, between SDS and non-SDS or other funding-proof pathways.


The practical takeaway: don't withdraw funds you'll need to show at the border, and check your specific stream's proof-of-funds requirement — if in doubt, get an updated bank statement closer to your travel date so you have current proof on hand at the port of entry.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Don't: Don't assume the proof-of-funds requirement ends once your visa is issued — border officers may check again on arrival.
  • Tip: Check your specific stream's rules on how recent a bank statement needs to be, since this varies by application type.

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