Study Permits Update — May 14, 2026
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Canada's national study permit cap for 2026 is approximately 155,000, continuing the reduction trend from prior years, with sharp declines in international student numbers reported.
Graduate students (Master's and PhD) remain exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement, while most undergraduate and college students at public institutions still need a PAL to apply for a study permit.
Key 2026 rules include: off-campus work limited to 24 hours/week, financial proof requirement of CA$22,895 (living costs) plus first-year tuition, spousal open work permits only for Master's/PhD and select professional degree holders, and private 'licensed' colleges are not PGWP-eligible.
What You Should Do
- If applying for a study permit for a public post-secondary institution (undergraduate or college level), obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from your institution before submitting your study permit application — without it, your application will not be accepted.
- Confirm your program's PGWP eligibility before enrolling: private 'licensed' colleges are not PGWP-eligible in 2026. Check the updated list of eligible programs and fields at canada.ca/pgwp.
- Prepare financial documentation showing CA$22,895 in living costs plus your first-year tuition before applying for a study permit, as this is the current financial proof requirement.
- If you are a spouse of an international student and expect an open work permit, note that spousal OWPs are only available for partners of Master's, PhD, and select professional degree holders — confirm your spouse's program qualifies before making plans.
Sources
Topics Covered
International Student Cap Reduction: The 2026 national study permit cap is approximately 155,000, continuing a policy of reduced intake. Sharp declines in international student numbers are being reported as a result of the cap and stricter requirements.
Graduate Student PAL Exemption: Master's and PhD students remain exempt from the PAL requirement in 2026, while undergraduate and college-level students at public institutions must still obtain a PAL from their designated learning institution.
Student Work Authorization Simplification: The 24-hour per week off-campus work limit remains in effect for 2026 study permit holders, and co-op work permit requirements for post-secondary students have been removed as of April 1, 2026.
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
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