Canada To Exempt Master's And PhD Students From Federal Study Permit Cap Effective

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) has announced a significant policy change affecting graduate-level international students.

Beginning January 1, 2026, individuals admitted to Master's and Doctoral (PhD) programs at public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) will be exempt from the national study permit cap introduced earlier this year. This measure is intended to ensure that Canada continues to attract advanced academic talent while maintaining broader intake management policies.

Highlights:

• Graduate students admitted to master's and PhD programs at public DLIs will no longer be counted toward the national study permit quota beginning January 1, 2026.
• Eligible students will not be required to obtain a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) as part of the study permit application process.