Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced its official cap for study permits in 2026, limiting the number to 408,000. This marks a 7% decrease from the 2025 target of 437,000, and a 16% drop from the 485,000 permits planned for 2024 — signaling a deliberate, ongoing effort by Canada to better manage the growing demand for international education access.
Of the total permits planned for 2026, 155,000 will be allocated to newly arriving international students. The remaining 253,000 permits are earmarked for extensions by current or returning students who are already in Canada.
The Canadian government is also adjusting how these permits are distributed among various applicant types. The breakdown includes 180,000 permits for applicants requiring a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL), which now form a significant portion of the permit pool.
However, exemptions to the PAL/TAL requirement have been introduced as part of Canada’s efforts to streamline graduate-level education pathways. Specifically, 49,000 study permits are set aside for master’s and doctoral-level students, who will be exempt from PAL/TAL requirements beginning January 2026. Additionally, 115,000 permits are allocated for primary and secondary school students (kindergarten to Grade 12), and another 64,000 permits are designated for other applicants who qualify for PAL/TAL exemptions.
These adjustments align with IRCC’s broader Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028 and indicate a policy shift aimed at balancing the benefits of attracting global talent with the pressures it can place on Canada’s housing, healthcare, and education infrastructure.
While Canada remains a top destination for international students, these measures reflect a desire to strengthen institutional integrity and better match incoming international graduates to national workforce needs.
Prospective students, particularly those pursuing research-based graduate studies, are encouraged to explore their eligibility early, as processing advantages and exemption policies may offer faster and more defined pathways to education in Canada.
The update follows prior announcements stipulating that, beginning in 2026, most post-secondary level applicants will require a PAL as part of their study permit applications unless they fall under explicitly stated exemptions.
As Canada strategically recalibrates its international student intake, applicants should stay informed and carefully prepare to ensure compliance with the evolving policy landscape.