Bringing money to Canada from Pakistan and Bangladesh: rules and options

How do the rules compare?

The Pakistan figures come from an SBP circular of 2015 and an SBP press release of 2022. The Bangladesh figures come from the 2018 edition of the Guidelines, which is the edition on the Bangladesh Bank website as of October 10, 2026. These were the latest official versions we found, but both central banks change rules through circulars. Confirm the current limits with your bank before you act.

Pakistan: what the State Bank allows

Tuition and living costs

Under SBP FE Circular No. 08 of 2015, banks (Authorized Dealers) can send up to USD 70,000 or the equivalent per student per calendar year. This covers application fees, tuition, living expenses and other dues. Tuition and other dues payable to the institution must be sent directly to the institution. Living costs can go to the student. Amounts above the limit need SBP approval.

The bank asks for the application form (Appendix V-78) and the student's passport. It also asks for CNIC or Form B copies of the student and the parent or guardian. Finally, it needs the admission letter and a cost sheet from the institution.

Carrying cash

The SBP press release of November 8, 2022 sets foreign currency cash limits for people leaving Pakistan: USD 5,000 per visit and USD 30,000 per year for adults, and USD 2,500 per visit and USD 15,000 per year for minors.

Exchange companies

Licensed exchange companies can also sell foreign currency and send outward remittances. The SBP sets daily and yearly limits per person, and asks for ID and supporting documents for larger amounts. Check the current limits with the exchange company or the SBP.

Bangladesh: what Bangladesh Bank allows

Tuition and living costs

Under Chapter 11, paragraph 10 of Bangladesh Bank's Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions, banks can release foreign exchange for Bangladeshi nationals in regular courses at recognized institutions abroad. Documents include the application form, the original and a copy of the admission letter, a cost estimate, attested certificates and a valid passport. Tuition is paid to the institution. Living costs not payable to the institution can be issued to the student. Foreign exchange is released for no more than one academic year at a time.

Carrying cash

Chapter 6 of the Guidelines lets travellers take out up to Taka 10,000 in Bangladeshi notes and coins. A resident can take out up to USD 5,000 that they brought in without declaration, plus any foreign exchange a bank issued and endorsed on their passport. Currency notes cannot be sent out by post or courier.

Moving abroad permanently

The Guidelines let banks remit some fees for Bangladeshi nationals migrating, such as visa and right-of-landing fees. Transfers of sale proceeds of real assets go to Bangladesh Bank. Family maintenance remittances abroad also need Bangladesh Bank's prior approval.

Can you move your savings after you emigrate?

This is the hardest part. In the SBP Foreign Exchange Manual chapter on private remittances, the rules for moving assets on leaving permanently cover certain foreign nationals, not Pakistanis settling abroad. In the Bangladesh Bank Guidelines, transfers like property sale proceeds go to Bangladesh Bank for a decision. We did not find a simple general allowance for emigrating citizens in either country.

What this means in practice:

• Ask your bank's foreign exchange department what it can do under current rules, and what needs central bank approval.
• Keep money you already hold in a foreign currency account in mind; banks may treat it differently from rupee or taka savings.
• Never use informal channels such as hawala or hundi. They break the rules in both countries, and your Canadian bank may refuse money with no clear source.

What does Canada require?

• Cash: report CAD 10,000 or more in cash or monetary instruments to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) when you arrive. See how to declare money at the border.
• Wires: nothing to declare at the border. Your Canadian bank reports large transfers to FINTRAC and may ask where the money came from. See source of funds vs proof of funds.
• Students: IRCC wants CAD 23,448 a year for living costs for a single student outside Quebec (applications from September 1, 2026), plus tuition and travel. Scotiabank lists Pakistan, but not Bangladesh, for its Student GIC as of October 10, 2026. See Student GIC in Canada.

Worked example: a student from Lahore

Ayesha has an offer from a university in Alberta.

1. Her father applies at his bank with the Appendix V-78 form, CNICs, her passport, the admission letter and the university's cost sheet.
2. The bank sends the first-year tuition directly to the university. The total for the year stays under USD 70,000.
3. She wires her GIC amount to Scotiabank from her own account in Pakistan.
4. She carries USD 2,000 in cash for her first days, under the USD 5,000 per-visit limit and well under Canada's CAD 10,000 rule.

For general steps, see how to bring money to Canada.

Common questions

Sources

• SBP: Remittances for medical treatment and studies abroad (FE Circular No. 08 of 2015)
• SBP: Press release on foreign currency cash carrying limits (November 8, 2022)
• SBP: Foreign Exchange Manual, Chapter 16 (Private remittances)
• SBP: Foreign Exchange Manual (index)
• Bangladesh Bank: Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions, Chapter 11 (Private remittances)
• Bangladesh Bank: Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions, Chapter 6 (Currency notes)
• CBSA: Memorandum D19-14-1, Cross-border currency reporting
• IRCC: Study permit, proof of financial support
• Scotiabank: Student GIC Program

Checked against these sources on October 10, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.