Canada continues to accept international students in 2026, but applicants must meet stricter study permit requirements than in previous years.
The most important rules involve Canada’s annual study permit target, Provincial Attestation Letters and Territorial Attestation Letters, proof of financial support and the process for changing schools.
Official-information notice: Immigration requirements can change without much advance notice. Before applying, paying tuition or making travel arrangements, always review the latest instructions published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on the official Government of Canada study permit website.
This article reflects official information available on September 6, 2026. It is general information and not legal advice.
Is Canada Still Accepting International Students?
Yes. Canada has not stopped issuing study permits.
According to the Government of Canada’s 2026 international student allocation notice, IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026.
This total includes approximately:
| Category | Expected permits |
|---|---|
| Newly arriving international students | 155,000 |
| Extensions for current and returning students | 253,000 |
| Total | 408,000 |
The 408,000 figure is a national planning target. It does not guarantee that a particular application will be approved.
Applicants must still satisfy all applicable requirements, including acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution, adequate financial support and compliance with Canadian immigration law.
What Is the 2026 Study Permit Cap?
For applicants who require an attestation letter, IRCC allocated 309,670 application spaces in 2026 and expects those applications to result in up to 180,000 issued study permits.
The study permit cap controls the number of applications accepted for processing in categories that require a PAL or TAL.
The broader 2026 target of up to 408,000 study permits includes both newly arriving international students and extensions for students already in Canada. The 309,670 figure is narrower because it refers only to application spaces allocated to applicants who require a PAL or TAL. Therefore, these figures describe different parts of the study permit system and should not be interpreted as conflicting numbers.
An application space is not the same as an approved permit. An application accepted under the cap may still be refused after an immigration officer assesses it.
Check before applying: Annual targets and provincial allocations can be revised. Confirm the current figures on the official IRCC allocation page.
What Is a PAL or TAL?
A Provincial Attestation Letter, or PAL, is issued by the province where a student plans to study. A Territorial Attestation Letter, or TAL, performs the same function in a Canadian territory.
It confirms that the applicant has been assigned a place within the province or territory’s allocation.
The province or territory issues the document, but students normally receive instructions through their chosen Designated Learning Institution.
In most cases, a student must:
- Obtain a letter of acceptance from a DLI.
- Accept the school’s offer.
- Pay any required tuition deposit.
- Follow the school’s PAL or TAL process.
- Submit the valid PAL or TAL with the study permit application.
A PAL or TAL must normally be included when the application is submitted—not added afterward.
Who May Be Exempt from the PAL or TAL Requirement?
Official exemptions include certain applicants studying at:
- Preschools
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools up to Grade 12
- Federally designated military colleges
- Degree-granting master’s programs at public DLIs
- Degree-granting doctoral programs at public DLIs
The public master’s and doctoral exemption applies from January 1, 2026.
Certain exchange students, Global Affairs Canada scholarship recipients and applicants covered by specified public policies may also qualify for an exemption.
Applicants who do not submit a PAL or TAL because they qualify for an exemption should provide proof that they meet the applicable exemption criteria.
Because exemptions depend on the applicant’s circumstances, use the questionnaire and complete list on the official IRCC PAL/TAL page.
How Long Is a 2026 PAL or TAL Valid?
Unless an earlier expiry date appears on the letter, a PAL or TAL issued for the 2026 cap year is generally valid until December 31, 2026.
It must be valid when IRCC receives the study permit application. A letter from a previous cap year cannot be used for a new application in 2026.
A new PAL or TAL may be required when:
- The previous letter has expired
- A study permit application was approved or refused
- The applicant changes schools
- The applicant changes the level of study, unless an exemption applies.
- The applicant applies to restore student status
Always check the current official instructions before reusing an attestation letter.
Proof of Financial Support in 2026
Applicants must prove that they can pay for:
- First-year tuition
- Living expenses
- Transportation to and from Canada
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, outside Quebec, the required living-expense amounts are:
| Family members included | Required annual living expenses |
|---|---|
| 1 | CAD $23,448 |
| 2 | CAD $29,192 |
| 3 | CAD $35,888 |
| 4 | CAD $43,572 |
| 5 | CAD $49,419 |
| 6 | CAD $55,736 |
| 7 | CAD $62,054 |
| Each additional person | CAD $6,318 |
For study permit applications: Applicants must show enough money to cover the living expenses listed above, in addition to tuition fees and transportation costs.
For applicants studying in Quebec: Quebec has separate financial requirements, so applicants should check the current rules on the official Quebec government website.
Application-date warning: The required amount is determined by the rules applying when the application is submitted. Verify the current table on the official IRCC proof-of-financial-support page.
Changing Schools in Canada
Post-secondary students cannot assume that they may change DLIs simply by updating their online account.
In many cases, a post-secondary student changing to another DLI must apply for and receive a new study permit. A new PAL or TAL may also be required.
Different provisions may apply to students changing schools at the primary or secondary level.
Students should review the official IRCC school-changing instructions before leaving their current school or beginning studies at another institution.
FAQ
Does receiving a PAL guarantee study permit approval?
No. A PAL or TAL confirms that a place is available within a provincial or territorial allocation. IRCC must still assess the complete study permit application.
Does every international student need a PAL or TAL?
No. Official exemptions apply to specific groups, including primary and secondary students and students entering degree-granting master’s or doctoral programs at public DLIs.
Is the proof-of-funds amount the total cost of studying in Canada?
No. The published living-expense requirement does not include tuition or transportation.
Can a student reuse a PAL after a study permit refusal?
Under the current IRCC instructions, a new PAL or TAL is generally required after an application has been refused.
Does admission to a Canadian school guarantee entry into Canada?
No. A letter of acceptance does not guarantee study permit approval or admission at the border.
Final Reminder
Canada’s study permit rules are date-sensitive. Financial amounts, exemption categories, annual allocations and document requirements may change.
Before submitting an application or paying non-refundable fees, consult the latest pages on the official Government of Canada website. School representatives, agents and online articles should not replace current IRCC instructions.