Question 1

What is the Canada study permit cap for 2026?

Accepted Answer

For 2026, IRCC has set the national intake at 309,670 study permit application spaces. The cap is managed through provincial and territorial allocations, and most applicants must include a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) with their application. Because each province receives a fixed allocation, it is important to apply early in your intake cycle before a province's spaces run low.

Question 2

Do master's and PhD students need a PAL in 2026?

Accepted Answer

No. As of January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral (graduate) students enrolled at a public designated learning institution (DLI) no longer need to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter. Other groups are also exempt, including K-12 students, certain Government of Canada priority applicants, and existing study permit holders extending at the same institution and level. Most college and undergraduate applicants at other institutions still need a PAL/TAL.

Question 3

How much money do I need to show for a Canada study permit in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Effective September 1, 2025, a single applicant applying outside Quebec must show CAD 22,895 in cost-of-living funds for the first year, up from CAD 20,635. This amount is in addition to your first-year tuition and your travel costs, and it increases for each accompanying family member. Showing genuine, well-sourced funds — such as a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), education loan sanction, and bank statements — is one of the most common reasons applications succeed or are refused.

Question 4

Is the PAL/TAL still required for most students in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Apart from the exempt groups, the Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter remains a mandatory document for most new study permit applicants in 2026. Your designated learning institution or the province issues it once you have an offer of admission. Without a valid PAL/TAL (when required), IRCC will return your application.

Question 5

Which provinces have the largest 2026 allocations?

Accepted Answer

Under the 2026 allocations, Ontario received the largest share of PAL/TAL-required spaces (about 104,780), followed by Quebec (93,069), British Columbia (32,596) and Alberta (32,271). Smaller provinces such as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick received proportionally smaller allocations. Choosing your province and institution strategically — and applying early — matters more than ever under the cap.

Canada Study Permit 2026

What Changed for the Canada Study Permit in 2026

Who Still Needs a PAL in 2026

Exempt from PAL/TAL

Still need a PAL/TAL

2026 Provincial Allocations

Frequently Asked Questions

Related pages

Apply for Your 2026 Canada Study Permit With Confidence

Province	PAL/TAL-required spaces (2026)
Ontario	104,780
Quebec	93,069
British Columbia	32,596
Alberta	32,271
Saskatchewan	11,349
Manitoba	11,196
Nova Scotia	8,480
New Brunswick	8,004