Study Permits Update — September 14, 2026
Monday, September 14, 2026
Starting September 1, 2026, international students must show more money when applying for a study permit — IRCC updates financial requirements annually to reflect cost of living increases.
As of 2026, all study permit applications go through the single Regular Study Permit stream after the Student Direct Stream (SDS) was discontinued on November 8, 2024, with processing times now ranging from 8–12 weeks.
A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is now required before applying for a study permit, and the 2026 provincial/territorial allocations under the international student cap were announced on November 25, 2025.
What You Should Do
- If you plan to apply for a study permit on or after September 1, 2026, check the updated financial requirements at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship to ensure your proof of funds meets the new threshold before submitting your application.
- Obtain your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from your designated learning institution before applying for a study permit — without it, your application cannot proceed. Contact your school's international student office to confirm your PAL status.
- Budget for 8–12 weeks of processing time when planning your study permit application. Submit well before your intended start date and ensure all documents (biometrics, medical exam if required, proof of funds) are ready at submission to avoid delays.
- Review the 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap (announced November 25, 2025) at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices.html to understand how many spots are available in your target province.
Sources
Topics Covered
International Student Cap Reduction: IRCC published the 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap on November 25, 2025, and the PAL system remains a mandatory prerequisite for all study permit applications.
Graduate Student PAL Exemption: IRCC's study in Canada page highlights a dedicated pathway for graduate (master's and doctoral) students, including faster processing for doctoral applicants, suggesting continued differentiation in how graduate vs. undergraduate permits are handled.
Study Permit Financial Scrutiny: IRCC announced that financial requirements for study permit applicants will increase on September 1, 2026, continuing the annual practice of adjusting thresholds to match the cost of living.
More Study Permits Updates
Study Permits Update — October 1, 2026
Oct 1, 2026
Study Permits Update — September 24, 2026
Sep 24, 2026
Study Permits Update — September 17, 2026
Sep 17, 2026
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