Study Permits Update — July 16, 2026
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Canada is reducing the number of study permits issued in 2026 to 408,000 (including 155,000 for new arrivals and 253,000 extensions), down 7% from 2025 and 16% from 2024, as part of a plan to cut the temporary population to below 5% of Canada's total population by end of 2027.
Starting January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students enrolled at public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are exempt from submitting a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) with their study permit application.
Spousal Open Work Permits for accompanying partners are only available to spouses of master's, PhD, and select professional degree students in 2026; financial proof required is CA$22,895 in living costs plus first-year tuition, with a visa fee of CA$235 including biometrics.
What You Should Do
- If you are applying for a master's or doctoral program at a public DLI starting in 2026, confirm you do NOT need to obtain a PAL/TAL before submitting your study permit application. Check the list of eligible public DLIs at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship once IRCC publishes it (expected before January 1, 2026).
- If you are an undergraduate or college-level international student applying for a study permit in 2026, confirm your institution has a valid provincial/territorial allocation and obtain your PAL/TAL from your province or territory before submitting your application, as the requirement still applies to you.
- If you plan to bring a spouse to Canada on an Open Work Permit, verify your program qualifies (must be master's, PhD, or designated professional degree at a public DLI). Check eligibility at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship before submitting your study permit application.
- Prepare proof of funds of at least CA$22,895 (living costs) plus your first-year tuition as part of your 2026 study permit application. Gather bank statements, scholarship letters, or financial guarantor documents ahead of your application submission.
- If you intend to work after graduation, confirm your program is PGWP-eligible at canada.ca before enrolling. Note: private 'licensed' colleges are NOT PGWP-eligible in 2026, and updated field-of-study requirements apply.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets a target of 380,000 new permanent residents in 2026 while reducing temporary residents, including cutting study permit issuances to 408,000 and working toward a temporary population share below 5% by end of 2027.
International Student Cap Reduction: Canada has set the 2026 study permit issuance target at 408,000, a 7% reduction from 2025 and 16% from 2024, with only 155,000 permits allocated to newly arriving international students. This is part of a broader goal to reduce Canada's temporary population to below 5% of the total population by end of 2027.
Graduate Student PAL Exemption: Effective January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement when applying for a study permit, recognizing their contributions to Canada's economic growth and innovation.
More Study Permits Updates
Study Permits Update — July 13, 2026
Jul 13, 2026
Study Permits Update — July 9, 2026
Jul 9, 2026
Study Permits Update — July 6, 2026
Jul 6, 2026
Get immigration updates in your inbox
Weekly analysis. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.