Trending 
Canada will simplify the study permit process for international Master’s and PhD students from January 2026 by scrapping the requirement for a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) for selected postgraduate programmes.
The policy change is part of Ottawa’s wider effort to make it easier for highly skilled students to study in the country, while continuing to place limits on the total number of international arrivals. Although the attestation requirement was introduced to help provinces manage enrolment levels, it has been criticised for adding unnecessary bureaucracy and slowing down applications.
From 2026, postgraduate students admitted into Master’s and doctoral programmes at public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) will no longer need to submit an attestation letter with their study permit applications. The government says this will shorten processing times and remove administrative hurdles for students undertaking advanced research and training.
At the same time, Canada is pressing ahead with tighter overall controls on international student numbers. Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the country will issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, including 155,000 for new students and 253,000 for extensions. This marks a seven per cent drop from the 2025 target and a 16 per cent reduction compared with 2024.
Despite the cuts, officials insist Canada remains keen to attract top global talent, particularly in research-intensive fields. The government says Master’s and PhD students will benefit from preferential treatment because of their contribution to innovation, skills development and economic growth.
In addition to postgraduate students, other groups that will no longer need an attestation letter include pupils in primary and secondary schools, certain government priority groups and vulnerable applicants, as well as existing study permit holders seeking to extend their stay at the same level in the same institution.
Although 309,670 study permit spaces will be available under the overall cap in 2026, about 180,000 applicants will still require provincial attestation letters, allowing local governments to retain some control over student intake.
Doctoral candidates are expected to benefit further from a fast-track 14-day visa processing service. Both Master’s and PhD applicants will also be exempt from the annual study permit quota, ensuring they are not caught up in the broader restrictions placed on undergraduate and college programmes.
The government’s target for new international student arrivals has been set at 155,000 for 2026, before easing slightly to 150,000 in both 2027 and 2028. These figures apply only to programmes lasting longer than six months at approved institutions.
Overall, the policy reflects a two-track approach: curbing growth in international student numbers while actively encouraging highly qualified postgraduate students to choose Canada. By reducing paperwork and speeding up decisions, officials hope to preserve the country’s appeal as a leading destination for advanced education and research.
