Canada Study Permit Cap: Master’s and PhD Students Not Affected

In the new year, January 1, 2026, master’s and PhD students at Canadian public colleges and universities will not be included in the national study permit cap which was announced in Canada’s 2026-2028 annual levels plan.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) relieved the stress of many international graduate students looking to study in the country. Starting January 1, 2026, master’s and PhD students at public colleges and universities will not be included in the national study permit cap which was announced in Canada’s 2026-2028 levels plan. This means their applications will not be limited by the number of permits allowed each year according to the document.

In the levels plan, IRCC announced that they are looking to prioritize people seeking to study in fields that will support Canada’s workforce needs in communities across the country including in rural areas. Allowing master’s and doctoral students to apply for study permits headache-free, since they won’t need a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) when applying for a study permit, makes their immigration journey more straightforward with a promising outcome. Additionally, without the need for a PAL/TAL which they normally would’ve had to pay for, their upfront costs are much lower making this an ideal case scenario for these students.

Faster Processing for PhD Students

In addition to the study permit cap exception, Canada is now offering faster processing times for doctoral (PhD) students, effective immediately. If a PhD student meets all the necessary requirements, they can receive their study or work permit in as little as two weeks. This is a significant improvement over the usual processing time, which can take a month or longer, depending on the applicant’s country of residence. The faster processing helps students and their families plan their move with greater ease and less stress.

Eligibility Criteria

In order qualify for the streamlined two-week processing, students must be enrolled in a doctoral (PhD) program, apply for a study or work permit from outside Canada, submit their application online, and meet additional eligibility requirements. To their advantage, any family members included in their application can also benefit from this fast processing such as spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children.

Why Are Master’s and PHD Students an Exception?

As mentioned earlier, in line with its new immigration goals and plans, Canada is seeking foreign talent who can contribute to an economy that needs their skills and can benefit from them just as much as they will benefit from living in Canada. Hence, Canada wants to retain talented graduate students especially master’s and PhD students as they play a big role in research, STEM, health, business, and many other fields.

Fill out our free assessment down below and get started on securing your future in Canada. If you are a master’s or PhD student hoping to continue your studies in Canada, contact us at Canadim today!