Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set out its plan for international students in 2026 under the ongoing study permit cap.
How many permits in 2026
IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026 — 155,000 to newly arriving students and 253,000 extensions for current and returning students. That total is 7% lower than the 2025 target of 437,000 and 16% lower than 2024's 485,000, as Canada continues to slow the growth of its temporary population.
Master's and PhD students exempt from the PAL/TAL
From 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students enrolled at a public designated learning institution (DLI) no longer need to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) with their study permit application. IRCC says the exemption recognises the contribution these students make to Canada's economy and innovation.
Other groups exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement in 2026 include primary and secondary (K-12) students, certain priority and vulnerable groups, and existing permit holders extending at the same institution and study level. Applicants who still require a PAL/TAL are capped at 180,000 permits, distributed across the provinces and territories by population.
What it means for you
If you are applying for a master's or PhD at a public Canadian university or college, the process is now simpler — you can apply without waiting for a provincial attestation letter. Undergraduate and college applicants who still need a PAL should apply early, because each province has a limited number of spaces under the cap. Confirm your institution is a public DLI and check its PAL process before you apply.
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Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Canada.ca) — 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap.