Canada's 2026 International Student Cap By Province

During 2026 the IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits, including 155,000 to newly arriving international students, as outlined in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, and 253,000 extensions for current and returning students. 

As of January 1, 2026, master’s and doctoral level students enrolled at a public designated learning institution (DLI) will not need to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) with their study permit application. 

This exemption is in recognition of their unique contributions to Canada’s economic growth and innovation, and will support our efforts to attract talent.

The following groups are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement in 2026:master’s and doctoral degree students enrolled at public DLIs

 
primary and secondary (kindergarten to grade 12) students
certain Government of Canada priority groups and vulnerable cohorts
existing study permit holders applying for an extension at the same DLI and at the same level of study.

The number of study permits expected to be issued in 2026, broken down by student cohort, is as follows:

2026 national target (new arrivals and in-Canada extensions)
Master’s and doctoral students enrolling at public DLIs (PAL/TAL-exempt)	49,000
Primary and secondary school (kindergarten to grade 12) students (PAL/TAL-exempt)	115,000
Other PAL/TAL-exempt study permit applicants	64,000
PAL/TAL-required applicants	180,000
Total	408,000

In 2026, up to 180,000 study permits are expected to be issued to applicants who require a PAL/TAL. The target of 180,000 is distributed to provinces and territories based on their population.

Province or territory	2026 study permit target for PAL/TAL-required cohorts
Alberta	21,582
British Columbia	24,786
Manitoba	6,534
New Brunswick	3,726
Newfoundland and Labrador	2,358
Northwest Territories	198
Nova Scotia	4,680
Nunavut	180
Ontario	70,074
Prince Edward Island	774
Quebec	39,474
Saskatchewan	5,436
Yukon	198
Total	180,000

The following allocations have been assigned based on each jurisdiction’s average study permit application approval rate from 2024 and 2025:

Province or territory	2026 allocations for all PAL/TAL-required applications
Alberta	32,271
British Columbia	32,596
Manitoba	11,196
New Brunswick	8,004
Newfoundland and Labrador	5,507
Northwest Territories	785
Nova Scotia	8,480
NunavutFootnote1	0
Ontario	104,780
Prince Edward Island	1,376
Quebec	93,069
Saskatchewan	11,349
Yukon	257
Total	309,670

A total of 309,670 study permit application spaces will be available under the cap for 2026. This represents the maximum number of study permit applications IRCC will accept for processing from PAL/TAL-required students for the calendar year.

2025 Annual Report to Canada's Parliament on Immigration

 IRCC facilitates the entry of students who wish to study at a designated Canadian educational institution. 

Students approved to study in Canada are issued a study permit.

In 2024, 516,275 individuals held study permits in Canada. This included new permits and extensions. Of these, 242,970 identified as women, 273,235 as men, 55 as another gender and the gender of 10 individuals was recorded as unspecified. 

An intake cap on study permit applications was introduced in January 2024 to help manage unsustainable growth in the program, with an issuance target set at 485,000 for that year. Of the 516,275 study permit holders, only 293,835 were issued to new students entering Canada in 2024, with the balance being issued to students already in Canada. 

This means that there were less than 360,000 new study permit holders who entered Canada in 2024.

In 2023, a total of 682,889 individuals held study permits, of which 496,175 were new. This indicates a decrease of 24% from 2023 to 2024. 

Canada’s overall international student population declined by 4% at year end of 2024 compared to end of 2023.

Link to full report

Languages Canada Member Schools

About Languages Canada:

In 2007, a joint task force was created. CAPLS and CLC voted to create a new association that would include all public, private, English and French accredited language education program members. A steering committee was formed with equal representation from both associations and a representative from AILIA. In 2008, a set of bylaws and a definitive agreement was approved resulting in the incorporation of the new association, Languages Canada.

Purpose

To be the voice of the Canadian language education sector.

Mission

To promote quality, accredited English and French language education in Canada, both nationally and internationally.

Vision Statement

To be internationally recognized as the symbol of excellence, representing Canada as the number one destination for quality English and French language education.

https://www.languagescanada.ca/en/languages-canada