Canada Study Permit 2026: Intake Cap, Provincial Attestation Letter, New Financial Requirements, and Post-Graduation Work Permit Rules

Over the past two years, Canada has significantly tightened its policies for international students: there is now a cap on study permits, most applicants must first obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL); financial requirements have increased; and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) has added language and field of study requirements. Based on the latest information from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, this article clarifies what you need to know about applying for a study permit and planning your post-graduation work for 2026–2027.

1. Study Permit Cap and the Provincial Attestation Letter for Undergraduates

Canada has capped study permit applications since 2024. According to the IRCC announcement in November 2025:

• The study permit application cap for 2026 is 309,670;
• Up to 408,000 study permits are expected to be issued in 2026, including 155,000 for new students and 253,000 for extensions.

The cap applies to applicants who need a Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL). This letter is issued by the province where you plan to study, confirming that the province still has available allocations for you. Most international students in undergraduate, college, and other programs must obtain this letter through their school before applying for a study permit.

An important change: Starting from January 1, 2026, students in master's or doctoral degree programs at public institutions no longer need to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter. Additionally, primary and secondary school students, exchange students who do not pay tuition, and students studying in Quebec (who require a Quebec CAQ) are also exempt.

For undergraduate students, this means: after receiving an admission offer, you must confirm the application process and timeline for the Provincial Attestation Letter with your school. Since each province has a limited allocation, applying earlier gives you a better advantage.

2. Financial Requirements: Increase from September 2026

To apply for a study permit, you must prove you can cover tuition, living expenses, and round-trip transportation. The official minimum standard for living expenses (outside Quebec) is as follows:

Please note: This is the minimum standard for living expenses and does not include tuition and transportation. Tuition must be prepared separately based on the school's fee proof. Students studying in Quebec are subject to Quebec's own standards.

3. Fees and Other Basic Rules

• Study permit application fee: CAD 150 (including extensions);
• Biometrics fee: CAD 85 per person;
• Working while studying: Up to 24 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions; no limit on hours during scheduled breaks.

4. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Three Key Rules to Know First

The PGWP is the first step for many students to work in Canada and eventually apply for permanent residency (for immigration pathways, see our article here). According to the latest IRCC regulations:

1. Language Requirements

• For bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree graduates, English must reach Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing;
• For college, polytechnic, and other non-university programs, the requirement is CLB level 5.

CLB is Canada's own language proficiency scale, which requires conversion using IRCC-approved test scores. It is not the same as the language scores required for school admission. You must factor in this post-graduation requirement when planning your enrollment.

2. Field of Study Requirements

• There are no field of study restrictions for bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree programs;
• For other university or college programs, if you apply for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024, your field of study must be on the IRCC's eligible field of study list to qualify for the work permit.

Therefore, if you plan to attend a college or non-degree program and wish to work in Canada after graduation, you must verify that your chosen field of study meets the PGWP field of study requirements before making a decision.

3. Duration and Frequency

• For programs lasting 8 months to less than 2 years, the work permit can be up to the same length as the program;
• For programs lasting 2 years or more, the work permit can be up to 3 years;
• Master's degree graduates can apply for a 3-year work permit even if the program is less than 2 years (effective from February 15, 2024);
• You must apply within 180 days of confirming your program completion;
• It is a one-time opportunity: if you have previously received a work permit for another program, you cannot get another one.

Pay special attention to the last point: if you first complete a short college program and get a work permit, and then pursue a master's degree, you will not be eligible for the 3-year post-graduation work permit after your master's. It is best to plan your study pathway all at once.

How to Choose and Plan

• Master's or Doctoral programs (public institutions): No Provincial Attestation Letter required, no field of study restrictions for the work permit, and master's graduates can get a 3-year work permit. This is currently the most advantageous pathway under the policy.
• Undergraduate programs: Requires a Provincial Attestation Letter and is subject to the overall cap; no field of study restrictions for the work permit, but must meet CLB 7.
• College or non-degree programs: Requires a Provincial Attestation Letter, and the work permit has field of study and CLB 5 requirements. Be sure to verify this before choosing a major.

Timeline: Apply for the Provincial Attestation Letter as soon as you receive an admission offer (if required), and prepare your financial documents at the same time; prepare your living expenses according to the new standards for applications submitted after September 1; and plan your language test scores based on the CLB requirements for the post-graduation work permit.

Conclusion

The core changes in studying in Canada now are "limited spots and more detailed requirements." The level of study, the province, and the field of study directly determine whether you can successfully obtain a study permit and a post-graduation work permit. Factoring these rules into the application stage is much easier than trying to fix things after receiving an admission offer.

If you are considering undergraduate, master's, or college programs in Canada and are unsure about school selection, major, or post-graduation planning, feel free to have a chat with our admissions counselors.

Verification note: The study permit cap, Provincial Attestation Letter, financial requirements, fees, working hours, and post-graduation work permit rules in this article were verified against the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website on September 26, 2026 (the financial requirements page was updated on August 28, 2026, and the Provincial Attestation Letter page was updated on September 2, 2026). Policies are subject to change; please refer to the latest IRCC information and your school's guidelines before submitting your application.

References:

• IRCC：2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap
• IRCC：Provincial or territorial attestation letter
• IRCC：Proof of financial support
• IRCC：Fee list
• IRCC：Work off campus
• IRCC：Post-graduation work permit – eligibility
• IRCC：Post-graduation work permit – about