The 2026 numbers
IRCC's 2026 provincial and territorial allocations notice splits the 408,000 permits into four groups. Only the last group counts against the provincial cap that people usually mean when they say "the cap".
| Group | 2026 target | PAL or TAL |
|---|---|---|
| Master's and doctoral students at public institutions | 49,000 | Exempt |
| Primary and secondary (K-12) students | 115,000 | Exempt |
| Other exempt applicants | 64,000 | Exempt |
| Applicants who need a PAL or TAL | 180,000 | Required |
What changed for graduate students
How the cap works for everyone else
If you are not exempt, your study permit application needs a provincial or territorial attestation letter, and each province gets a share of the 309,670 application spaces. The allocations are higher than the approval targets because IRCC expects some applications to be refused. In most cases a letter must be used in the cap year it was issued.
The cap sits inside a wider cut. Canada's 2026 to 2028 Levels Plan lowers new student arrivals, and temporary residents in general, which is covered in the levels plan explainer.
The study route itself
The Study Permit + Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) route carries a government fee of $535 in Transita's catalogue. After graduation, an eligible student can get an open Post-Graduation Work Permit, and that Canadian work experience counts toward permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class.
If the cap shuts you out
These student routes in other countries are open in Transita's catalogue. Compare the fee, the processing time and whether the route leads to permanent residence: several, such as Ireland's graduate programme, are built to convert into work. Countries covered: Spain, Portugal, United States, Ireland, France, Italy.
| Programme | Country | Gov. fee | Salary or income floor | Processing | Leads to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa | Spain | $80 | None published | 1–2 months | Yes, about 5 years |
| Student Visa | Portugal | $95 | None published | 1–3 months | Yes, about 5 years |
| F-1 Student + OPT/STEM-OPT | United States | $535 | None published | 1–4 months | No |
| Third-Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) | Ireland | $350 | None published | 1–2 months | Yes, about 7 years |
| Student Visa (VLS-TS) | France | $54 | None published | 1–2 months | No |
| Student Visa | Italy | $54 | None published | 1–2 months | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Canada's international student cap for 2026?
IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026: 155,000 to newly arriving students and 253,000 extensions for current and returning students. That is 7% lower than the 2025 issuance target of 437,000, according to IRCC's notice of November 25, 2025.
Do master's and PhD students need a provincial attestation letter in 2026?
Not if they study at a public designated learning institution. From January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students enrolled at a public DLI are exempt from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter with their study permit application.
How many study permit applications will IRCC accept in 2026?
309,670 application spaces are available under the cap for applicants who need a PAL or TAL. Provinces receive more spaces than their approval targets because some applications are refused.
Can I still work in Canada after studying?
The study route in Transita's catalogue is a study permit followed, if you qualify, by a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and the Canadian work experience counts toward the Canadian Experience Class. The study permit is recorded at 2–8 months.
Is the cap a reason to study somewhere else?
It is a reason to compare. If you need a PAL and your province's allocation is tight, other countries' student routes may be easier to secure, and several lead to work rights after graduation.
See which of these routes fits your profile
Transita compares Canada's study route with student and graduate routes in other countries against your profile. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.
Build my workspaceofficial sources: Study + PGWP · canada.ca·Type D Student · exteriores.gob.es·Type D Student · vistos.mne.gov.pt·F-1 · travel.state.gov·1G · irishimmigration.ie·VLS-TS étudiant · france-visas.gouv.fr·Visto Studio · consnewyork.esteri.it