Guides
What it actually costs to live in each destination
Every country sets a minimum living-cost figure you have to prove for your visa, and it's a more honest starting point than vague "budget $X a month" advice, since it's the number immigration authorities themselves require you to show.
What each country actually requires you to prove
These are visa minimums, not comfortable budgets
The US uses a Department of Homeland Security guideline of roughly $15,000 to $25,000 a year, though your specific school sets its own number. The UK requires £1,483 a month if studying in London, or £1,136 a month outside London, held for 28 consecutive days before you apply. Canada requires proof of CAD 22,895 a year as of September 2025, through a bank statement or a Guaranteed Investment Certificate. Australia requires AUD 29,710 a year, also held for at least 28 consecutive days. Türkiye has no comparable fixed visa minimum, and living costs there run dramatically lower, often $300 to $800 a month.
What you'll actually spend day to day
The visa minimum and your real budget aren't the same number
In Australia, a comfortable monthly budget in a city like Brisbane runs roughly AUD 1,500 to 2,500, with shared accommodation alone at AUD 850 to 2,550. In Canada, rent runs CAD 600 to 1,500 a month depending on the city, Toronto and Vancouver sit well above smaller cities like Halifax or Winnipeg. In the UK and US, city choice matters just as much, a budget that works in a smaller university town can fall well short in London or a major US metro. The visa minimum is a floor, not a realistic monthly plan.
FAQ
Do I need to prove I have this exact amount before applying?+
Yes, in most cases you need to show these funds are available, usually held for a minimum period, before your visa is approved. Requirements vary by country and change periodically, so confirm the current figure with your specific visa category.
Is Türkiye actually that much cheaper to live in?+
Yes, genuinely. Monthly living costs in Türkiye often run a fraction of what they cost in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia, which is a real factor worth weighing alongside tuition.
Does city choice matter as much as country choice?+
Often yes. Living costs inside the same country can vary by two or three times between a major metro and a smaller city, sometimes more than the difference between two countries.
Are these figures likely to change?+
Yes, visa-required minimums get updated periodically by each country's immigration authority. Always check the current figure directly before relying on any published number, including this one.