Canada: 2026 International Student Cap and Allocations Announced

The situation 

Canada has released the 2026 international student cap and its distribution across provinces and territories. This follows the introduction of intake controls in 2024 aimed at managing international student volumes and strengthening program integrity. 

A closer look 

• Study permit issuance targets. For 2026, Canada plans to issue up to 408,000 study permits, consisting of 155,000 new arrivals and 253,000 in-country extensions. Within this total, 180,000 permits are intended for applicants who require a provincial/territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL). These spaces are allocated to provinces and territories based on population size and historical approval rates for study permits. Each province will determine how to distribute its allocation across its designated learning institutions (DLIs). Details on the cap calculation, the breakdown by student cohort, and the allocation model can be found here.  

• Exempt groups. The cap does not apply to master’s and doctoral degree students enrolled at public DLIs (as announced in November 2025); primary and secondary school students; current study permit holders extending their status at the same DLI and level of study; or certain government priority groups. These applicants may continue to apply without a PAL/TAL and outside the 2026 cap limits. 

Impact 

• Reduced admission levels. The 2026 issuance target is 7% lower than the 2025 target (437,000) and 16% lower than the 2024 target (485,000). With the reductions, new international student admissions are projected to fall by nearly 50%, from 305,900 to 155,000, as outlined under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. 

• Effects on students and institutions. Applicants subject to the cap may face increased difficulty securing a study permit due to reduced availability and heightened competition. DLIs, particularly those in large provinces or in provinces with historically lower approval rates, may experience reduced international student intake and increased operational planning needs. Institutions may need to adjust recruitment strategies to align with provincial allocation decisions. 

Background 

Canada introduced a national cap on international students in 2024 to address rapid growth in the temporary resident population, which had surpassed 1 million study permit holders at the start of that year. By September 2025, the number had fallen to about 725,000, marking significant progress. The cap forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen program integrity, curb fraud, enhance oversight of DLIs, and align student pathways with labour market needs. It also supports the government’s goal of reducing the number of temporary residents to below 5% of the population by the end of 2027, while helping to ease pressures on housing, healthcare, and other public infrastructure. 

Looking ahead 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will continue working with provinces, territories, and DLIs to refine the International Student Program throughout 2026. Areas to watch include possible adjustments to post-graduation work permit rules to support long-term population management and additional measures to manage the temporary resident population under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.  

The government may also advance the previously announced Recognized Institutions Framework, which would accredit certain colleges and universities and provide priority processing for their applicants. Additionally, the student cap is due for reassessment in 2026, suggesting that further policy updates may be forthcoming. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.