Currently activeHigh urgency
2026 Study Permit Cap and Provincial Allocations
Effective: January 1, 2026
TL;DR
National cap reduced to 309,670 application spaces (~408,000 issued permits — about 7% below 2025). Ontario receives 70,074 PAL seats, Quebec 39,474, BC 24,786. Public-DLI Master's and PhD students no longer require a PAL.
What changed
- Total application spaces capped at 309,670 for 2026.
- Ontario, Quebec, BC allocations published.
- Public-DLI graduate students PAL-exempt.
- K-12 and short-term exchange continue to be excluded from cap.
Who is affected
All international study permit applicants except graduate students at public DLIs and K-12.
Source: View on canada.ca →
Related immigration topics
Other recent policy changes