Canada lowers study permit requirements and makes major changes to its immigration system

Canada has announced new changes to the issuance conditions for international study permits, effective from 2026, aiming to simplify procedures for certain groups of international students as part of a new policy to manage incoming student numbers.

The amendments include exempting master’s and doctoral students enrolled in Canadian public institutions from some restrictions applied to international students. Their applications will no longer count toward the annual quota for study permits, and they will not be required to submit the previously mandatory Provincial/Territorial Acknowledgment Letters (PAL/TAL), helping to accelerate the processing of their applications.

These changes are part of a broader Canadian plan to manage the number of international students in the country. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a cap on study permit applications for 2026, aiming to reduce pressure on infrastructure and public services, while allocating a number of permits to current students wishing to extend their status in Canada.

Under the plan, Canada intends to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, including 155,000 for new students and 253,000 for extensions for current students, representing a decrease compared to previous years.

The government emphasizes that these measures aim to rebalance the immigration system while maintaining the capacity of Canadian universities and educational institutions to accommodate students and provide a suitable academic and future environment.

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