Canada Study Permit 2026: What Changed, Who Is Affected, and What Applicants Should Do Next
Canada's study permit policies have undergone significant changes for 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced several key updates that directly affect international students.
The most significant change is the international student cap. For 2026, Canada will issue up to 408,000 study permits, a 7% decrease from 2025. This includes 155,000 new study permits and 253,000 extensions for current and returning students. The cap is distributed across provinces and territories.
Major policy changes affecting applicants:
1. Master's and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions no longer require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) starting in 2026. This is a significant benefit for graduate students.
2. Starting April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for student work placements. The study permit now includes co-op authorization.
3. IRCC issued 271 invitations to apply (ITAs) on June 23, 2026, specifically for the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category - the second dedicated draw for this Express Entry stream.
4. IRCC also warned on July 15, 2026, about 8 consequences for immigrants working without authorization, including wage theft, exploitation, and damage to future applications.
What should applicants do?
Check whether your program qualifies for PAL exemption (graduate students at public institutions). Verify your target province's 2026 allocation on IRCC's website. Apply at least six months before your intended start date, as processing times vary significantly by province.
The official provincial and territorial allocations were announced on November 25, 2025. You can find the complete breakdown on IRCC's official website.
Source: Canada.ca - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/2026-provincial-territorial-allocations-under-international-student-cap.html
The most significant change is the international student cap. For 2026, Canada will issue up to 408,000 study permits, a 7% decrease from 2025. This includes 155,000 new study permits and 253,000 extensions for current and returning students. The cap is distributed across provinces and territories.
Major policy changes affecting applicants:
1. Master's and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions no longer require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) starting in 2026. This is a significant benefit for graduate students.
2. Starting April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for student work placements. The study permit now includes co-op authorization.
3. IRCC issued 271 invitations to apply (ITAs) on June 23, 2026, specifically for the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category - the second dedicated draw for this Express Entry stream.
4. IRCC also warned on July 15, 2026, about 8 consequences for immigrants working without authorization, including wage theft, exploitation, and damage to future applications.
What should applicants do?
Check whether your program qualifies for PAL exemption (graduate students at public institutions). Verify your target province's 2026 allocation on IRCC's website. Apply at least six months before your intended start date, as processing times vary significantly by province.
The official provincial and territorial allocations were announced on November 25, 2025. You can find the complete breakdown on IRCC's official website.
Source: Canada.ca - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/2026-provincial-territorial-allocations-under-international-student-cap.html
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