For 2026, IRCC expects to issue about 155,000 study permits to newly arriving international students, down from roughly 305,000 in 2025 — a decrease of about 49%. Counting extensions and returning students, total study permit issuance is projected at around 408,000.
A total of 309,670 study permit application spaces are available under the 2026 cap — the maximum number of applications IRCC will accept from students who require a PAL/TAL. Each province and territory distributes its allocation to its own designated learning institutions.
The cap makes school and program choice, and applying early in the cycle, more important. Confirm your institution’s PAL availability before you apply.