The federal government has released the final details of Canada’s international student intake cap and its distribution across provinces and territories for 2026, confirming a significant tightening of the education visa system. The national target has been set at 408,000 total study permits for the year, representing a 16% reduction from the 2024 target.
The new structure, which continues the enrolment management framework introduced in 2024, is forecast to cut the admission of new international students by nearly 50%, from 305,900 to 155,000. This drastic move is a central component of Ottawa’s strategy to stabilize the temporary resident population, which, despite falling from over one million to approximately 725,000 since the cap’s introduction, remains a key concern for its impact on public infrastructure.
Of the total 408,000 permits, 180,000 are earmarked for applicants who require a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL), the cohort that includes most undergraduate and college-level students. These spaces are allocated to provinces based on population size and historical approval rates.
As expected, the provinces that have historically seen the largest influx of foreign students are facing the steepest restrictions. Ontario has received the largest share of the PAL/TAL-required permits at 70,074, followed by Quebec at 39,474, and British Columbia at 24,786. Each provincial government now has the task of distributing its limited quota among its Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs).
In a major policy shift aimed at preserving high-value academic talent, the government has announced that Master’s and Doctoral (PhD) students enrolled at public DLIs will be exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement starting January 1, 2026. This exemption, which is intended to streamline the process for research-driven programs, also applies to primary and secondary school students, and current permit holders extending their status at the same institution and level of study. The IRCC expects to issue 49,000 permits to Master’s and Doctoral students outside of the provincial cap system.
The reduction in available spaces will translate directly into heightened competition for study permits among applicants subject to the cap. Institutions, particularly those in high-demand provinces that have relied heavily on international tuition, now face reduced international student intake and increased pressure to adjust their recruitment strategies to align with the new, stricter provincial limits.
The government maintains that the cap is necessary to meet its broader objective of reducing the temporary resident population to below 5% of the country’s total population by the end of 2027, thereby easing strain on housing and healthcare services. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed it will continue to work with provinces to refine the International Student Program, with a scheduled re-evaluation of the cap set for 2026.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
