Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released new guidelines for processing study permit applications, introducing important updates aimed at simplifying requirements for international students, especially those in joint academic programs and graduate-level studies.
Effective for applications submitted in 2026, students enrolled in joint programs involving multiple Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) or provinces will now require only one Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL). Previously, each participating institution and province required a separate attestation letter, making the application process significantly more cumbersome.
The updated guidance clarifies that master’s and doctoral students enrolled at publicly funded DLIs are fully exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement. This policy, previously announced by IRCC, aims to streamline the application process for graduate-level international students and reflects Canada’s commitment to attracting top-tier academic talent.
Further rules have been outlined to guide students whose status or study programs are changing. If a student is applying to restore their immigration status, they must submit a new PAL/TAL. Visiting students, including visiting graduate students, are also required to obtain a PAL/TAL, as these applicants do not qualify for the exchange student exemption.
However, students extending a valid study permit to change programs at the same DLI and remaining within the same level of study—such as from a master’s in one field to another—do not need to submit a new PAL/TAL. The IRCC now defines both master’s and doctoral studies as being at the same academic level for the purposes of this regulation.
More clarity was also provided for students in Quebec. Certain vocational programs, such as the Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS/DEP), Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS/ASP), Pre-Work Training Certificate (PWTC/CFPT), and the Training Certificate for a Semiskilled Trade (TCST/CFMS), qualify for the PAL/TAL exemption, as they are considered secondary-level programs. However, students attending CEGEPs in Quebec are still required to obtain a PAL/TAL.
It’s important to note that these updates only apply to applications received from January 1, 2026 onward. Applications submitted before that date will be assessed based on the rules in place at the time of submission.
These changes reflect IRCC’s ongoing efforts to make Canada’s study permit process more efficient and student-friendly, particularly for those pursuing advanced education or enrolled in complex academic pathways across institutions and provinces.