Study Permits

Study Permits Update — May 4, 2026

Monday, May 4, 2026

Canada's 2026 study permit cap is set at 408,000 — lower than both 2024 and 2025 — as part of IRCC's goal to reduce the temporary resident population below 5% of Canada's total population by end of 2027.

Students at the graduate level (Master's and PhD) are exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) requirement, making it easier for them to apply directly.

International students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus, and spousal open work permits are now only available to spouses of Master's, PhD, and select professional degree students.

What You Should Do

  • If you are applying to a public college or undergraduate program in 2026, confirm with your institution that they have a valid Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) before submitting your study permit application — without it, your application may be rejected.
  • If you are applying at the Master's or PhD level at a public university, confirm with your institution that you are exempt from PAL/TAL requirements before applying at canada.ca/study-permit.
  • If you are an international student planning to bring a spouse to Canada, verify whether your program qualifies for a spousal open work permit (only available for Master's, PhD, and select professional degree students) at canada.ca/immigration.
  • Check whether your intended program at a private college is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — private 'licensed' colleges are not PGWP-eligible under 2026 rules. Verify PGWP-eligible institutions at canada.ca/pgwp.

Sources

  1. Canada Cuts 2026 Study Permit Intake by Seven Percent and Caps Student Work Hours
  2. Canada Student Visa Updates 2026: New Rules for International Students | IDP
  3. Canada Sets 2026 International Student Cap – With Fewer Permits and Stricter Provincial Limits
  4. Applying to Canada in 2026? Two study-permit changes international students need know

Topics Covered

International Student Cap ReductionGraduate Student PAL Exemption

International Student Cap Reduction: IRCC has set the 2026 national study permit cap at 408,000 — below both 2024 and 2025 levels — as part of a broader effort to shrink Canada's temporary resident population to under 5% of total population by end of 2027.

Graduate Student PAL Exemption: Graduate-level students (Master's and PhD) at public universities are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement in 2026, streamlining their application process compared to undergraduate and college-level applicants.

More Study Permits Updates

Study Permits Update — June 4, 2026

Jun 4, 2026

Study Permits Update — June 1, 2026

Jun 1, 2026

Study Permits Update — May 30, 2026

May 30, 2026

Get immigration updates in your inbox

Weekly analysis. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.