Canada Eases Study Permit Rules for Graduate Students Starting January 2026
Good news from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) – update as of November 6, 2025:
Starting January 1, 2026, graduate students (Master’s and PhD) will be exempt from the national study permit cap and will not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) when applying for a study permit.
This marks a major policy shift following the stricter international student measures in 2024–2025, reflecting Canada’s new strategic focus:
👉 Reducing mass intake at lower education levels while prioritizing highly skilled academic talent who can directly contribute to research, innovation, and economic development.
🎯 KEY POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
1️⃣ Two-week processing for PhD applicants
PhD candidates will have their study permit applications processed in as little as 14 days.
➡️ This group is recognized by Canada as strategic national talent.
2️⃣ PAL exemption for graduate students starting 2026
Master’s and PhD applicants will no longer need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
➡️ Not subject to the national cap.
➡️ Not affected by the tightened quotas for undergraduate and college levels.
3️⃣ Family inclusion policy
Spouses and children can apply for accompanying visas from the start, making it easier to plan for long-term settlement.
4️⃣ Post-graduation work opportunities
After completing their studies, students may apply for a work permit (typically a PGWP) to gain Canadian work experience and strengthen their Permanent Residency (PR) profile.
📊 CANADA’S GLOBAL ACADEMIC STANDING
🇨🇦 Top 6 worldwide for most influential researchers (Clarivate, 2021)
🌍 Top 10 globally for graduate employability (Times Higher Education, 2021)
🏫 4 Canadian universities ranked among the Top 100 globally (QS Rankings, 2025)
🧭 PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR APPLICANTS
If you are completing an undergraduate or graduate program in Vietnam, now is the golden time to prepare your Master’s or PhD application for the 2026 intake.
With this new policy, graduate students will find it easier to obtain study permits and have stronger long-term immigration prospects than those in lower-level programs.
PhD candidates, in particular, may become eligible for Permanent Residency (PR) either during their studies or shortly after graduation through economic or provincial nominee streams.
⚙️ SICON CONSULTING RECOMMENDATIONS
- Choose programs aligned with high-demand sectors (STEM, healthcare, education, research, technology).
- Prepare a clear Study Plan that connects academic goals with long-term settlement objectives.
- For family applications, plan both the student’s and dependents’ pathways to maximize available benefits.
📍 SICON Immigration Consulting
Strategic Immigration & Study Abroad Advisory – Transparent, Accurate, Effective.
💬 Contact us to design your personalized study–work–immigration roadmap for Canada
