Canada Releases 2026 Study Permit Cap Targets; IRCC Projects 408,000 Permits and Issues Updated Student Guidance

Canada has released a detailed breakdown of its 2026 study permit cap, providing clarity on how many new and extended study permits Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expects to issue next year. The updated framework also includes important new guidance for secondary-to-post-secondary transitions and joint academic programmes.

According to IRCC, Canada is expected to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, a figure that combines 155,000 new permits outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan with approximately 253,000 extensions for returning or continuing international students.

Permit Targets Lower Than Previous Years

The 2026 projection represents a continued tightening of Canada’s international student intake:

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

Despite the lower cap, IRCC emphasized that it is still issuing far fewer permits this year than the current limits allow. Application volumes in 2025 remain well below sector expectations, and approval rates have dropped sharply.

Exemptions Will Change in 2026

One significant shift is that master’s and doctoral students at public institutions will no longer be counted under the cap starting in 2026. Until now, these levels were included, creating additional pressure on provincial caps.
K–12 students also continue to remain outside the cap framework.

IRCC says these exemptions will free up more space for undergraduate and college-level applicants who do fall under the enrolment cap.

Approval Rates Expected to Improve

The current study permit approval rate for 2025 sits at just over 30%, a dramatic decline from the 51% approval rate in the first half of 2024.

But IRCC anticipates improvement in 2026.

The department expects:

• 310,000 applications from applicants who require a provincial/territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL)
• 180,000 approved permits under the cap

This corresponds to a projected approval rate of approximately 58%, nearly double the rate observed in 2025 and similar to Canada’s pre-cap historical norms.

Provincial and Territorial Allocations

IRCC’s 2026 breakdown includes:

• Study permit issuance targets for each province and territory
• PAL/TAL allocations for institutions governed by the enrolment cap
• Separate figures for exempt categories such as K–12, master’s, and PhD programmes

Officials say the goal is to provide institutions with early visibility so they can plan recruitment, intake, and admissions strategies for the 2026 academic year.

New Guidance for Students in Canada

Alongside the cap announcement, IRCC released updated programme guidance on 24 November 2025 to address gaps affecting students already inside Canada.

1. Transition from Secondary to Post-Secondary Studies

IRCC now permits students to begin their post-secondary studies while their new permit application is under processing provided they submitted their post-secondary study permit application before their current (secondary-level) permit expires.

This policy aims to prevent disruptions in education as permit processing times continue to fluctuate.

2. Students Enrolled in Joint Programmes

For students studying under joint programmes offered by two institutions but leading to a single credential, IRCC clarified:

• They must obtain a PAL/TAL from the province or territory where the credential-issuing institution is located.
• They must hold one study permit tied to the credential-issuing institution for the entire duration of their programme.

The guidance is intended to reduce confusion for students enrolled in newly emerging dual-institution pathways.

A Year of Adjustment Ahead

Canada continues to recalibrate its international student strategy, balancing housing pressures and immigration capacity with the needs of colleges and universities that rely heavily on international enrolment.

While the 2026 target remains lower than previous years, IRCC’s forecasted rebound in approval rates offers cautious optimism for prospective students and institutions preparing for the next academic cycle.