Canada Announces 2026 International Student Cap & New Rules

Canada’s immigration department IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has officially announced its international student study permit targets for 2026, along with important programme updates. Overall, the news is more positive than it looks.

📊 Study Permit Numbers for 2026

• Total study permits planned for 2026:408,000
  • 155,000 new study permits
  • 253,000 extensions for current/returning students

📉This is:

• 7% lower than the 2025 target (437,000)
• 16% lower than the 2024 target (485,000)

🎓 Major Positive Change: Master’s & PhD Students Exempt

From 2026 onwards:

• Master’s and PhD students at public institutions will NOT be counted under the student cap
• They do not require a PAL/TAL (Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter)

➡This makes Canada more attractive for postgraduate students and reduces pressure on the cap.

📈 Approval Rates Expected to Improve

• 2025 approval rate so far: ~30%
• Historical average: ~50%+

For 2026:

• IRCC expects 310,000 applications under the cap
• 180,000 permits issued
• Projected approval rate: ~58%

✅This suggests less strict processing and a return to more normal approval levels.

🗺 Provincial Allocation System (PAL/TAL)

• Canada has divided the student cap by province and territory
• Each province gets a specific number of:
  • Study permits
  • PAL/TAL letters

➡ Students applying under the cap must secure a PAL/TAL from their province before applying.

🆕 Important Programme Updates (Nov 24, 2025)

1-Secondary → Post-Secondary Students

• Students moving from high school to college/university in Canada
• If they apply before their current permit expires, they:
  • Can start post-secondary studies
  • Do not need to wait for final approval

✔This removes uncertainty for in-Canada students.

2-Joint / Dual Institution Programmes

For programmes involving two institutions but one final credential:

• Only ONE study permit is required
• PAL/TAL is needed for the province where the credential-issuing institution is located

➡ Clearer rules, less confusion.

🔑 What This Means for Students

✅ Better chances of approval in 2026
✅ Strong advantage for Master’s & PhD applicants
✅ Clearer rules for pathway and joint programmes
⚠ Still important to choose:

• The right province
• A strong institution
• A well-prepared application

🧭 Bottom Line

Although Canada is keeping student numbers controlled, 2026 looks more balanced and student-friendly than 2024–25. Approval rates are expected to rise, and policy clarity reduces uncertainty for genuine students.

Need expert guidance for your study or immigration plans?
Reach out to WAC Consultants and take the next step with confidence.

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📩 Email: info@wacconsultants.com