Study Permits Update — April 15, 2026
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions (DLIs) are exempt from the Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) requirement and are no longer counted against the national study-permit cap, with two-week processing available.
Canada's 2026 study permit target is approximately 408,000 total permits — including 155,000 new arrivals and 253,000 extensions — a 7% reduction from 2025's target of 437,000 and 16% below 2024's target of 485,000.
Students enrolled in joint programs spanning two institutions need only one attestation letter; private colleges that are not publicly designated remain ineligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP).
What You Should Do
- If you are applying for a master's or doctoral program at a public DLI in Canada, confirm with your institution that it is a public designated learning institution, then apply for your study permit without a PAL/TAL — the exemption has been in effect since January 1, 2026. Apply at canada.ca/study-permit.
- If you are an undergraduate or college-level applicant, verify that your institution has provided a valid PAL/TAL before submitting your study permit application, as the cap of ~155,000 new permits still applies to your cohort.
- Before enrolling at a private college, confirm the institution's PGWP eligibility status on the IRCC designated learning institutions list at canada.ca/dli — private 'licensed' colleges are not PGWP-eligible as of 2026.
- Budget for the 2026 financial proof requirement: you must show CA$22,895 in living costs plus first-year tuition when applying. Gather bank statements and financial documents before submitting your study permit application.
Sources
Topics Covered
International Student Cap Reduction: Canada's 2026 study permit target is 408,000 total (155,000 new + 253,000 extensions), down 7% from 2025 and 16% from 2024, as part of a broader effort to reduce temporary residents.
Graduate Student PAL Exemption: Since January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt from PAL/TAL requirements, excluded from the national cap, and eligible for two-week study permit processing.
More Study Permits Updates
Study Permits Update — June 11, 2026
Jun 11, 2026
Study Permits Update — June 8, 2026
Jun 8, 2026
Study Permits Update — June 4, 2026
Jun 4, 2026
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