Maple News reports that several important updates to Canada’s immigration system took effect on January 1, 2026, bringing changes that significantly impact international students and foreign entrepreneurs.
One of the most notable developments is the removal of the Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) requirement for graduate-level international students. As of the new year, foreign nationals applying to master’s or doctoral programs at public designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada no longer need to submit a PAL/TAL to receive a study permit. This requirement was originally introduced in 2024 as part of Canada’s effort to manage its international student population under a nationwide cap.
With this change, graduate students are now exempt from the study permit cap altogether. This exemption not only simplifies the study permit application process but also allows more qualified students to pursue advanced degrees in Canada, even when the cap is reached. Additionally, doctoral students benefit from IRCC’s expedited processing, with permit decisions potentially delivered in as little as two weeks.
The removal of this requirement also lowers the financial burden on students. PAL/TALs often required a confirmation deposit, which is no longer necessary for master’s and PhD applicants. This change reflects Canada’s continuing efforts to attract top-tier international talent and remain competitive on the global education stage.
Meanwhile, Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) program has stopped accepting new permanent residence applications from foreign entrepreneurs as of January 1, 2026. The federal government announced this decision to better manage application backlogs and focus on processing existing files. While this closure is likely temporary, it underscores Canada’s ongoing review of its economic immigration programs, especially those targeting innovation-led permanent residence pathways.
For foreign entrepreneurs seeking Canadian permanent residency, Maple News recommends monitoring federal updates closely. Alternative business immigration streams, such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur routes, remain active in some provinces and may be considered interim pathways.
Overall, these changes signal clearer priorities in Canadian immigration policy: reducing administrative hurdles for highly skilled students while recalibrating pathways for business immigrants amid growing global demand.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates and expert insights on Canada’s evolving immigration landscape.