Canada announces 408,000 study visas for 2026

MELBROUNE: Officials have confirmed Canada will further cut the number of international study permits in 2026, as part of a plan to lower the share of temporary residents to under 5% by the end of 2027.

Study Permit Targets for 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada intends to issue a total of 408,000 study permits, including:
155,000 new permits for incoming international students
253,000 extensions for current or returning students
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This is a 7% decrease from the 2025 level and 16% below the target for 2024, in keeping with Canada’s goal to manage growth and further align the International Student Program with national priorities.

Exemption from PAL/TAL for Graduate Students

Effective January 1, 2026, students in master’s and doctoral programs at publicly designated DLIs will no longer require a PAL/TAL for application for a study permit.

The exemption recognizes the role of graduate research in innovation and long-term development nationally.

Eligible students will include:

• Master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs
• Students from primary and secondary schools
• Government priority and vulnerable groups

Current permit holders renewing at the same DLI and level about 49,000 graduate students will benefit from this tax exemption.

PAL/TAL-Required Permits by Province Of all 180,000 permits relying on the PAL/TAL, the largest shares are given to Ontario and Quebec due to higher student populations and institutional numbers.

Other provinces and territories receive smaller shares based on population and past approval rates. What This Means for Students These reduced permit numbers should help alleviate pressures on housing, schools, and resources at the local level.

That will indeed make it even more competitive for study permits, though. Students looking to study in Canada in 2026 should apply early, verify institutional eligibility, and familiarize themselves with updates regarding exemptions to PAL/TAL.