Study Permits Update — August 27, 2026
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Canada will issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026 — 155,000 to new arrivals and 253,000 extensions — down 7% from 2025 and 16% from 2024, as part of a push to reduce the temporary resident population below 5% of Canada's total population by end of 2027.
Starting January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students at public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are exempt from needing a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) with their study permit application.
Off-campus work remains capped at 24 hours/week, spousal open work permits are only available to spouses of master's, PhD, and select professional degree students, and private 'licensed' colleges are not eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs).
What You Should Do
- If you are applying for a master's or doctoral program at a public DLI starting January 1, 2026 or later, confirm your institution appears on IRCC's list of eligible public DLIs (to be published at canada.ca) — you do NOT need to obtain a PAL/TAL before applying.
- If you are applying for an undergraduate or college-level program, contact your province's designated authority to secure a PAL/TAL before submitting your study permit application — once provincial allocations are exhausted, IRCC will stop accepting applications and return fees.
- Check that your intended institution is a public DLI and that your program qualifies for PGWP eligibility before enrolling — private 'licensed' colleges do not qualify for PGWPs. Verify at canada.ca/post-graduation-work-permit.
- Ensure your proof of financial resources covers CA$22,895 in living costs plus first-year tuition when preparing your 2026 study permit application.
- Budget CA$235 for the study permit application fee (including biometrics) when planning your application costs.
Sources
Topics Covered
Graduate Student PAL Exemption: Effective January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students applying to public DLIs are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement, recognizing their contributions to Canada's economic growth and innovation. A full list of eligible public DLIs will be published on the IRCC website.
International Student Cap Reduction: IRCC confirmed 2026 study permit issuance targets of 408,000 total — 7% below 2025 and 16% below 2024 — with 155,000 slots for new arrivals distributed via provincial PAL/TAL allocations. The cap is explicitly tied to reducing Canada's temporary resident population below 5% of the total population by end of 2027.
Student Work Authorization Simplification: Off-campus work for international students remains at 24 hours per week, and spousal open work permits are restricted to spouses of master's, PhD, and select professional degree holders only. Private 'licensed' colleges remain ineligible for PGWP.
More Study Permits Updates
Study Permits Update — August 31, 2026
Aug 31, 2026
Study Permits Update — August 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
Study Permits Update — August 17, 2026
Aug 17, 2026
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