In a significant shift in its immigration strategy, the Canadian government has unveiled its plans for 2026, placing a strong emphasis on reducing the number of temporary residents, including international students. The announcement, made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), confirms a continued decrease in study permit allocations as part of a broader effort to stabilise population growth and ease pressure on housing and healthcare systems.
New Immigration Levels and Study Permit Reductions
Officials stated that Canada is now entering a "phase of stabilisation." The core focus is to balance population increases with the country's capacity for housing, healthcare, and infrastructure. As part of this plan, the government aims to welcome 380,000 permanent residents between 2026 and 2028, while simultaneously working to reduce the temporary resident population to under five percent of the total population by 2027.
For international students, this translates to a notable cut in available study permits. The IRCC reported that it expects to issue approximately 408,000 study permits in 2026. This total includes 155,000 permits for new students and 253,000 extensions for those already studying in Canada or returning.
This figure marks a 7% drop from the 2025 target of 437,000 permits and a substantial 16% decrease from the 2024 target of 485,000 permits. The government explained that this reduction is a key component of wider efforts to create a more sustainable immigration system.
Major Exemption for Masters, PhD, and School Students
In a crucial update for prospective students, the IRCC announced a major exemption from the Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) requirement. Effective January 1, 2026, students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programmes at public designated learning institutions (DLIs) will no longer need to submit a PAL/TAL with their study permit application.
This exemption will also apply to several other groups:
- Primary and secondary school students (kindergarten to grade 12).
- Certain priority groups and vulnerable cohorts identified by the Government of Canada.
- Existing study permit holders applying for an extension at the same DLI and for the same level of study.
The breakdown for 2026 shows that 49,000 permits are allocated for PAL/TAL-exempt master’s and doctoral students, while 115,000 are for primary and secondary school students.
Provincial Allocations and Application Processing
For the 180,000 study permits that will still require a PAL/TAL, allocations have been distributed across Canadian provinces and territories based on population. The largest shares go to Ontario (70,074), Quebec (39,474), British Columbia (24,786), and Alberta (21,582).
Furthermore, the IRCC announced the total number of study permit applications it will accept for processing from PAL/TAL-required students in 2026. This number is set at 309,670, a figure based on approval rates from 2024 and 2025. Ontario leads again here, with capacity for 104,780 applications, followed by Quebec at 93,069.
New Pathway for French-Speaking Nigerians
In related news beneficial to Nigerian students, Canada is set to introduce a new pilot project aimed at attracting and retaining French-speaking international talent. The programme, which launched in August 2024, offers a direct route to permanent residency upon graduation for students at designated French-speaking and bilingual institutions.
This initiative addresses Canada's goal of supporting its bilingual identity and could provide a significant advantage for eligible Nigerian students proficient in French, creating a clearer path from study to settlement.
Canadian officials have stressed that all these changes are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the country's immigration system. The government maintains that the new allocations are part of a careful effort to balance the aspirations of international students with the practical needs of Canada's housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
