Canadian Study Permits: Getting It Right The First Time – And What To Do If You Don't

For many people, getting a Canadian study permit has become more difficult. Eligibility requirements and document expectations have increased, and even strong applicants are seeing refusals more often than in prior years.

One major reason is that Canada is issuing fewer study permits. The government has said that it expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, which is 7 percent lower than the 2025 target and 16 percent lower than the 2024 target. IRCC has described this intake cap as a tool to slow the growth of Canada's temporary resident population.

In this environment, it's especially important to submit a strong application the first time and to understand your options if you receive a refusal.