Canada will approve up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, continuing a trend of declining international student admissions as Ottawa works to shrink the temporary resident population.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada released the allocations on November 25. The department plans to grant 155,000 permits to new international students and 253,000 to returning students applying for extensions.
The 2026 figure represents a 7% drop from the 437,000 permits planned for 2025 and a 16% decrease from 2024’s target of 485,000 permits.
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Canada introduced its first study permit cap in January 2024 after international students with valid permits surpassed 1 million. The government cites demand for housing, medical care, and community services as justification for limiting admissions.
The number of active study permit holders fell to roughly 725,000 by September 2025. Ottawa targets a temporary resident population below 5% of the national total by late 2027.
Graduate students gain new exemptions starting January 1, 2026. Students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees at public universities will no longer require attestation letters from provinces or territories when they apply for study permits. Elementary and secondary students also qualify for exemptions from attestation requirements.
Immigration officials will process up to 309,670 applications from students who need attestation letters in 2026. This processing cap accounts for refusals and should yield roughly 180,000 approved permits.
Each province receives an allocation based on population size and historical approval rates. Jurisdictions with approval rates below 60% get additional application slots to help reach their targets.
The restrictions do not affect students renewing permits at the same institution and degree level. Certain government priority groups also qualify for exemptions.
Canada welcomed more than 650,000 international students in 2023, marking a peak before the cap took effect. The government characterizes the reductions as necessary to restore balance while preserving pathways for graduate-level talent and research capacity.
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