Canada’s 2026 International Student Cap: New Study Permit Allocations

(CANADA) Canada is setting strict new limits on international students for 2026, with a national cap that reshapes who can come to study, where they can go, and how many permits will be approved. The federal government has released detailed 2026 allocations for international students and study permits, spelling out how many applications each province and territory can support and how many study permits it expects to issue in total. The move marks another major step in Canada’s attempt to control the temporary resident population while still keeping space for graduate‑level and younger students.

2026 Cap: Core Numbers and National Picture

For 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set Total Study Permit Application Spaces at 309,670. This number represents the maximum count of study permit applications that IRCC will accept for processing from students who need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL). Without a PAL or TAL, most new applicants simply will not be able to submit a complete application.

IRCC also released its estimate of Expected Study Permits Issued in 2026. The department projects that up to 408,000 study permits will be approved over the year. That overall figure breaks into two distinct groups:

1. 155,000 permits for new international students arriving in Canada for the first time
2. 253,000 permits for extensions given to current and returning students who are already in the country

This split shows an important policy choice: Canada is sharply limiting growth in new arrivals, while still allowing large numbers of students already in the system to continue their studies. IRCC’s official notice, 2026 Provincial and Territorial Allocations Under the International Student Cap, confirms that extensions for existing study permit holders will not count against the cap on new applications.

Key takeaway: 309,670 is the maximum number of capped application spaces for new applicants needing a PAL/TAL, while 408,000 is IRCC’s total expected permits issued in 2026 (including extensions and exempt groups).

How Provincial and Territorial Shares Are Distributed

The national cap masks large regional differences. IRCC split the Total Study Permit Application Spaces and Expected Study Permits Issued across provinces and territories, creating very different realities for students and institutions depending on location.

Below are the IRCC‑published numbers for application spaces and expected permits in 2026:

• Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia receive the largest shares of application spaces, reflecting their roles as the primary study destinations.
• Several smaller provinces receive allocations intended to support local campus growth and community needs.
• Nunavut’s allocation of 0 application spaces and 0 permits means no new capped study permit applications requiring a PAL/TAL will be processed for Nunavut in 2026.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests these provincial splits will strongly influence which programs grow and which shrink, especially at colleges and language schools that depend heavily on international enrolment.

Role of Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL/TAL) in 2026

A central feature of the new system is the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL). For 2026:

• PAL/TAL documents are mandatory for most new study permit applicants who fall under the cap.
• A student must first secure a PAL or TAL from the province or territory where their school is located.
• Only after that letter is issued can a student submit a study permit application that IRCC will count toward the province’s allocation.
• Applications without a required PAL or TAL will not be eligible for processing under the capped spaces.

IRCC has stated that Master’s and PhD students at public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), K–12 students, and certain vulnerable cohorts are exempt from needing a PAL/TAL. Everyone else seeking a new study permit at the post‑secondary level is expected to fall under the cap and will normally need this letter.

This process shifts much of the decision‑making power to provinces and territories. They will control how their limited application spaces are used, which institutions receive them, and which programs are prioritized.

Groups Exempt from the National Cap

While the cap is strict for many undergraduates and college students, IRCC carved out several major exemptions. These carve‑outs shape the real size of the 2026 student population far beyond the 309,670 capped applications.

Graduate‑Level Exemptions: Master’s and PhD Students

• Starting January 1, 2026, students admitted to Master’s and Doctoral (PhD) programs at public DLIs will be exempt from the national study permit cap.
• Their applications do not count against provincial or territorial allocations and do not draw from the 309,670 application spaces.
• The policy encourages higher‑level academic and research programs to continue growing, benefiting universities that offer strong graduate programs at public DLIs.

Primary and Secondary (K–12) Students

• IRCC has set aside 115,000 permits for students in primary and secondary (K–12) education.
• These permits are exempt from the cap.
• Families sending children to Canadian elementary or high schools in 2026 can apply without concern for PAL/TAL limits tied to the cap.

This separate stream treats K–12 students differently from post‑secondary applicants and supports local school boards and communities planning for international enrolment.

Other Exempt Groups and Vulnerable Applicants

• IRCC identified 64,000 permits for other exempt applicants, including certain Government of Canada priority groups and vulnerable cohorts.
• While the notice does not enumerate every covered group, it signals that humanitarian, priority, or vulnerable cases will not be constrained by the new limits.
• IRCC also stresses that existing study permit holders seeking extensions are not counted against the cap — the projected 253,000 extension permits for 2026 can be issued without using any of the 309,670 capped application spaces.

Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and Regional Shifts

The provincial breakdown has significant financial and planning consequences for institutions:

• Ontario colleges and universities face major budget adjustments due to reduced intake of new international students. Many Ontario institutions rely on international tuition to support programs and staffing.
• Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador) may see new opportunities. Though allocations are smaller in absolute terms, Atlantic schools can market lower competition and proactive local government support.
• Western provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) sit in the middle: allocations allow continued growth but impose clear upper limits. Institutions must prioritize which partners and programs receive access to PAL/TAL‑backed applications.

For regional context and commentary on British Columbia, see BCCIE’s coverage of the 2026 allocations.

Effects on Employers and the Student Workforce

The cap does not directly control work permits, but IRCC warns that fewer undergraduate permits could reduce part‑time labour supply. Key points:

• Many undergraduates and college students work in retail, food service, hospitality, and basic office roles. Fewer new permits in these groups may mean fewer student workers for local employers.
• The graduate‑level exemption helps preserve a pipeline of highly skilled talent (Master’s and PhD students) who feed research labs, technology firms, and specialized industries.

Implications for employers in 2026:

• Increased pressure in sectors that rely on large numbers of part‑time undergraduates.
• More stability and potential growth in sectors seeking advanced research or technical skills from graduate students.

What the Cap Means for Different Types of Students

Prospective Undergraduate and College Students

• Usually need a Provincial Attestation Letter if their post‑secondary program is not exempt.
• Ability to apply depends on both admission and whether the province still has available application spaces.
• Acceptance to a school does not guarantee the ability to apply for a permit if the province’s allocation is full.

For these applicants, the 2026 allocations may determine which provinces are viable options.

Master’s and PhD Candidates at Public DLIs

• Exempt from the cap; do not reduce total study permit application spaces.
• Generally do not need a PAL/TAL under IRCC’s rules.
• Main challenge is admission to the graduate program, rather than competition for capped permits.

K–12 Students and Their Families

• Benefit from 115,000 exempt permits set aside for K–12.
• Do not compete with post‑secondary applicants for provincial allocations.
• Planning concerns are more about school board capacity and local housing.

Students in Priority or Vulnerable Categories

• Covered by the 64,000 exempt permits for Government priority groups and vulnerable cohorts.
• The exemption protects space for safety, rights, or international commitments, even as the cap limits standard fee‑paying streams.

Practical Planning for Institutions and Policy Watchers

Colleges, universities, school boards, and governments should plan throughout 2025 for 2026 implementation. Key planning considerations:

• Balance recruitment between new capped students and exempt categories (Master’s/PhD at public DLIs, K–12).
• Estimate how many existing students will request extensions (part of the projected 253,000).
• Adjust budgets and staffing models, especially in Ontario where impacts are expected to be largest.
• Use allocated application spaces strategically — Atlantic institutions might brand allocations as lower-competition opportunities.

Policy analysts will monitor whether the allocations lead to a more even distribution of students across Canada or mainly slow growth in the most popular regions.

Where to Find Official Information

Students, schools, and employers should rely on official sources. IRCC’s notice, 2026 Provincial and Territorial Allocations Under the International Student Cap, is the central government reference for:

• The national Total Study Permit Application Spaces
• Provincial and territorial allocations
• Cap exemptions for Master’s, PhD, K–12, and other groups
• Clarification that extensions for existing study permit holders do not count against the cap

For provincial interpretations and sector‑specific views, see commentary from organizations such as the BC Council for International Education: BCCIE’s news item on the 2026 allocations.

With these rules in place, 2026 will be a year in which international education in Canada remains open but far more carefully managed, with every study permit space and each exempt category shaping how the system operates.