OTTAWA ANNOUNCED 2026 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CAP ALLOCATIONS WITH NEW GRADUATE STUDENT EXEMPTIONS
A smaller 2026 cap with targeted protections for grad students
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released the provincial and territorial allocations for 2026 under the international student cap, setting a new national target of 408,000 study permits — a 7% decrease compared to 2025.
Introduced in 2024, the cap has already reduced the number of study permit holders from over 1 million to approximately 725,000, and is a key part of Ottawa’s plan to bring Canada’s temporary resident population below 5% by 2027.
At the same time, the government is introducing important exemptions for graduate students, aiming to protect high-value academic programs while tightening overall intake.
New exemptions for master’s and PhD students
As previously announced, master’s and doctoral students at public institutions will see a major procedural simplification:
They will no longer need provincial attestation letters (PALs) to apply for a study permit.
This change is meant to:
Prioritize advanced studies and research
Support innovation and long-term talent retention
Reduce administrative barriers for highly qualified candidates
Graduate programs remain central to Canada’s economic and research strategy, even as total student numbers are brought down.
2026 provincial and territorial allocations
Under the 2026 cap, IRCC has allocated spaces using factors such as population size and historical approval rates:
Ontario receives the largest allocation, with 104,780 application spaces
Quebec follows with 93,069 spaces
Across Canada, a total of 309,670 spaces will be distributed nationwide according to demographic and performance indicators
These allocations will heavily influence where international students can realistically apply and which institutions can maintain or grow their enrolment.
Impact on students and institutions
For prospective international students, the 2026 cap means:
Greater competition for limited spots, especially in popular undergraduate and college programs
A potential shift toward graduate studies, where students at public institutions benefit from PAL exemptions
For institutions and provinces, the new limits will:
Encourage a more selective intake based on program quality and outcomes
Push recruitment strategies to align more closely with regional labour market needs and capacity
Balancing growth, capacity, and opportunity
The 2026 cap and graduate exemptions show Ottawa’s attempt to balance:
Canada’s position as a leading study destination
Pressures on housing, infrastructure, and public services
A stronger focus on high-impact students, especially at the master’s and PhD level
While lower caps add uncertainty for some applicants, they also clarify the direction of policy: fewer overall permits, but more targeted pathways for advanced studies and long-term integration.
At Global Opportunities , we help you navigate the 2026 student cap and graduate exemptions, choose the right program and province, and submit a strong study permit application so you can still make your plan to study in Canada a reality.