IRCC 2026. International Student Cap Allocations: What Students Need to Know
As of November 28, 2025: There is. no new major immigration program announcement from Immigration, Refugees and citizenship Canada (IRCC) today. The most important very recent change is the November 25, 2025 IRCC notice setting out the. 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap, which is what this article explains.
Secondary Keywords / Themes: provincial attestation letter, PAL/TAL, designated learning institutions, study permit quota, Canadian international student program
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released detailed numbers for how many study. permit applications it expects to process in 2026 under Canada’s international student cap, including how those.
allocations are divided among provinces and territories. This announcement matters for anyone planning to study in. Canada in 2026, as well as for colleges, universities, and schools that depend on international enrolment
. In this article, we break down the new allocations, explain the exemptions, and outline what different types of students should realistically expect.
On November 25, 2025, IRCC published a notice titled “2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap.” The notice confirms that the. international student cap will continue in 2026 and provides a national target for study permit issuances, along with allocations for each province and territory.
National study permit targets for 2026
For 2026, IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in total, including. both new arrivals and in-Canada extensions. This total is divided into four main cohorts:
- Master’s and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions (DLIs), PAL/TAL-exempt: 49,000
- Primary and secondary (K–12) students, PAL/TAL-exempt: 115,000
- Other PAL/TAL-exempt cohorts (such as certain priority and vulnerable groups, and some extensions): 64,000
- PAL/TAL-required applicants: 180,000
This represents a further tightening of volumes: IRCC notes that the 408,000 issuance target is about. 7% lower than the 2025 target of 437,000 and 16% lower than the 2024 target of 485,000.
New PAL/TAL exemption for master’s and PhD students
A key policy change is that, as of January 1, 2026, master’s and doctoral students enrolled at public. DLIs will no longer need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) when they apply for a study permit.
The groups exempt from PAL/TAL in 2026 are:
- Master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs (new for 2026)
- 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 level of study
How the cap and allocations work
The international student cap limits the number of study permit applications IRCC accepts into processing each year, not just approvals. It was introduced in 2024 as part of a broader strategy to reduce Canada’s temporary resident population. According to IRCC, the number of study permit holders has already fallen from over 1 million in January 2024 to about 725,000 by September 2025.
For 2026, IRCC expects to issue 180,000 study permits to PAL/TAL-required applicants. To reach that number, IRCC is allowing up to 309,670 PAL/TAL-required applications to be submitted nationally in 2026. These 309,670 “application spaces” are distributed among provinces and territories based on past approval rates in 2024 and 2025.
Provincial and territorial allocations for PAL/TAL-required cohorts
Within the 180,000 PAL/TAL-required issuance target, each province and territory receives a share of permits. it is expected to need, plus a larger share of application spaces to account for refusals.
For example, IRCC’s table sets out:
- Ontario: 70,074 expected 2026 PAL/TAL-required issuances; 104,780 application spaces
- Quebec: 39,474 expected issuances; 93,069 application spaces
- British Columbia: 24,786 expected issuances; 32,596 application spaces
- Alberta: 21,582 expected issuances; 32,271 application spaces
- Smaller provinces and territories receive lower but still meaningful allocations (for example, NovaWho Is Affected and How
The impact of the 2026 international student cap and allocations depends heavily on your situation. Below is a high-level breakdown by category. This is general information and not legal advice.
Navigate Study Permit Changes with Confidence
New study permit rules can be confusing. Our education immigration specialists ensure your application meets all current requirements and maximizes approval chances.
✓ RCIC Licensed • 1000+ Successful Applications • Response within 24 hours
Prospective master’s and PhD students (public DLIs)
If you plan to start a master’s or doctoral program at a public DLI in 2026:
- You do not need a PAL/TAL as of January 1, 2026, if your program and institution meet the criteria.
- You still need to meet all regular study permit requirements (admission, financial proof, genuine student intent, etc.).
- Processing volumes for this group are capped at 49,000 issuances nationally, but they are not limited by provincial PAL/TAL quotas in the same way as many other post-secondary students.
Prospective undergraduate and college students (PAL/TAL-required)
If you are applying for a diploma, certificate, or bachelor’s degree program that requires a PAL/TAL in 2026:
Ready to Start Your Immigration Journey?
Our immigration experts can assess your eligibility and guide you through every step. Get personalized advice tailored to your unique situation.
- Your ability to apply will depend on whether your chosen province still has application spaces left under its allocation.
- Institutions may limit or close admissions to certain programs once they reach their internal PAL/TAL quotas.
- Some provinces with high demand (for example, Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec) may see more intense competition for limited PAL/TAL spaces.
Primary and secondary (K–12) students
K–12 students remain PAL/TAL-exempt and are allocated 115,000 expected study permit issuances nationally in 2026. Families planning to send children to Canadian schools
. still need to ensure they meet financial and other requirements, but they are not caught in the same PAL/TAL bottleneck as many post-secondary students.
Existing study permit holders seeking extensions
If you already hold a study permit and are extending at the same. DLI and same level of study, you are PAL/TAL-exempt in 2026. However, you should:
- Apply for your extension well before your current permit expires.
- Ensure you still meet all IRCC requirements, including academic progress and financial capacity.
Institutions and provincial governments
Provinces and territories must decide how to divide their allocated application spaces among DLIs. Institutions that rely heavily on international students may face:
- Pressure to prioritize certain programs (for example, higher-quality or higher-demand fields)
- Limits on new admissions in non-priority programs
- More scrutiny of compliance, student outcomes, and service capacity
Provincial decisions on distribution will directly affect which institutions can continue to recruit at previous levels and which will need to downsize their international cohorts.
Scenario 1: Master’s student in Ontario
An applicant admitted to a publicly funded Ontario university for a master’s program starting in September 2026:
- From January 1, 2026, this student does not need a PAL/TAL.
- They apply directly for a study permit with their offer letter and supporting documents.
- They still need to be mindful of high overall demand and IRCC’s 49,000-seat cap for master’s and PhD students, but they are not competing for a PAL/TAL quota space.
Scenario 2: Two-year diploma applicant in British Columbia
A student accepted to a two-year diploma program at a public college in British Columbia that requires a PAL/TAL:
- The college must secure a PAL or TAL for the student from the province’s limited allocation.
- If BC’s application allocation of 32,596 PAL/TAL-required applications is close to being used up, the college might restrict new offers or delay issuing PALs/TALs.
- Even with a PAL/TAL, the study permit is not guaranteed; officer decision still applies.
Scenario 3: K–12 student in Nova Scotia
A parent planning to enroll their child in a Nova Scotia public school in 2026:
- No PAL/TAL is needed for K–12.
- The family focuses on school admission, proof of funds, and standard study permit requirements.
- They benefit from the dedicated 115,000 K–12 national target, which is insulated from PAL/TAL pressure.
Scenario 4: Student already in Canada extending at the same college
A student in year two of a three-year diploma program at the same college in Manitoba:
- Their extension in 2026 is PAL/TAL-exempt, provided they remain at the same DLI and level.
- This reduces the risk that they could be unable to extend their permit due to provincial allocation limits, although they still must meet regular IRCC criteria.
What is Canada’s international student cap?
Canada’s international student cap is a limit on the number of study permit applications IRCC will accept into processing in a calendar year. It was introduced in 2024 to help slow the growth of the temporary resident population and ease pressure on housing and public services.
How many study permits can Canada issue in 2026?
IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026. This includes both new arrivals and extensions for people already in Canada. Of these, 180,000 are expected to go to PAL/TAL-required applicants and the rest to exempt cohorts such as master’s/PhD at public DLIs and K–12 students.
Do master’s and PhD students still need a PAL/TAL in 2026?
No, not if they are master’s or doctoral students at a public DLI. Starting January 1, 2026, these students are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement. They still need to meet all regular study permit requirements, but they do not need a provincial attestation letter.
Which provinces have the largest PAL/TAL allocations?
Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta receive the largest allocations of PAL/TAL-required application spaces. For example, Ontario is allocated 104,780 PAL/TAL-required application spaces and Quebec receives 93,069 application spaces for 2026.
If a province uses all its allocation, can I still apply?
In practice, once a province uses all its PAL/TAL allocation, institutions may no. longer be able to issue PALs/TALs for new PAL-required students in that calendar year.
Without a PAL/TAL, those applicants cannot submit a complete study permit application, so their options would be limited unless policy or allocations change.
This is a practical risk, not a formal guarantee.
Does the international student cap affect processing times?
The cap is primarily about limiting application volumes, not setting processing times. However, lower volumes might allow IRCC to manage workloads more effectively, which could influence processing in some streams.
Processing times still depend on factors like country of residence, completeness of the application, and local office workloads.
Are these allocations guaranteed to stay the same?
Allocations are based on IRCC’s current planning and past approval rates, and they could be adjusted if policy or operational needs change. The government has signalled a multi-year strategy to reduce temporary residents, so large increases are unlikely without a new policy direction.
Is this article legal advice?
No. This article is an analytical summary of public information from the Government of Canada. It does not replace legal advice and does not guarantee that any application will be approved.
Individual situations can vary significantly, and readers should consult official IRCC instructions or a qualified professional for advice on their specific case.
While there is no major new immigration announcement on November 28, 2025, IRCC’s November 25 notice on 2026. provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap is a significant development for anyone planning to study in Canada. It confirms that overall study permit volumes will fall again in 2026, clarifies how many PAL/TAL-required application spaces. each province will receive, and introduces a favourable new exemption for master’s and PhD students at public DLIs.
For prospective students, the key strategic questions are now where to apply and under which program type. Graduate-level study at public institutions is being clearly prioritized, while PAL/TAL-required cohorts remain tightly constrained by provincial quotas. Institutions and provinces will play a growing role in managing who receives access to limited PAL/TAL spaces.
If you are planning studies in Canada for 2026, you should:
- Confirm whether your program requires a PAL/TAL.
- Monitor your chosen institution’s communications on PAL/TAL availability.
- Prepare a strong, complete study permit application that aligns with IRCC’s rules and Canada’s broader policy direction.
Always rely on official IRCC and provincial sources for the latest rules, and consider professional guidance where your situation is complex or time-sensitive.
Get Expert Help with Your Application
Don't leave your Canadian dream to chance. Book a consultation with our RCIC-certified immigration experts today and maximize your chances of success.
- IRCC notice “2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap”, November 25, 2025.
- IRCC backgrounder “2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan”, October 24, 2024.
- IRCC news release “Canada invests in Francophone communities and helps build their future by attracting top global talent”, November 27, 2025 (context on Francophone immigration targets and broader levels planning).
Start Your Canadian Study Journey Today
Join 1000+ international students who successfully secured their study permits with our expert guidance. Book your consultation now.
✓ RCIC Licensed • 1000+ Successful Applications • Response within 24 hours