Canada Sets 2026 Study Permit Cap With Planned 7% Permit Cut

The federal government announced its 2026 study permit plan on November 25. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) set a limit of 408,000 permits for international students for the year. The new limit shows a clear drop. The 2026 target falls 7% below the 2025 target of 437,000 permits. It also sits 16% below the 2024 target of 485,000 permits.

IRCC says the new plan aims to bring more balance to the system. The department also says the plan will support students who already study in the country.

How IRCC will divide the 2026 permits

IRCC will divide the 408,000 permits into two main groups. It will give 155,000 permits to new students who arrive in 2026. It will use the other 253,000 permits for students who plan to extend their studies.

IRCC also released a detailed breakdown. It will issue 180,000 permits to students who need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or a territorial attestation letter (TAL). It will give 49,000 permits to master’s and doctoral students who do not need either document. It will issue 115,000 permits to primary and secondary school students. It will assign the remaining 64,000 permits to other applicants who do not need a PAL or TAL.

IRCC also confirmed a key change. It says master’s and doctoral students will not need a PAL or TAL starting in January 2026. These students will study at designated learning institutions without that requirement. Other post-secondary students must submit a PAL unless they meet special rules.

How provinces and territories will receive study permit spaces

IRCC also shared the provincial and territorial numbers for 2026. It will accept up to 309,670 study permit applications next year from students who need a PAL or TAL. This number includes applications that may not receive approval. IRCC says this total should lead to the issuance of up to 180,000 approved permits for this group.

IRCC based the allocation on population levels across Canada. Ontario will receive the largest share. The province can submit 104,780 applications, which may lead to 70,074 permits. Quebec follows with 93,069 applications and a projected 39,474 permits. British Columbia will receive 32,596 applications, which may produce 24,786 permits. Alberta will submit 32,271 applications with a plan for 21,582 permits.

Smaller provinces will receive fewer spaces. Manitoba will send 11,196 applications. Saskatchewan will submit 11,349. Atlantic provinces will see varied numbers. Nova Scotia will apply with 8,480 spaces. New Brunswick will submit 8,004. Newfoundland and Labrador will send 5,507. Prince Edward Island will get 1,376.

Northern territories will receive limited numbers. The Northwest Territories will send 785 applications. Yukon will send 257. Nunavut will not receive any application spaces because it does not hold a designated post-secondary institution. IRCC will still issue up to 180 permits in Nunavut for students who meet the exemption rules.

IRCC says the 2026 plan offers a clearer path for students and schools. The department says the new limits reflect current needs and future goals.