Ottawa (Canada): In a major policy shift aimed at attracting top global talent, the Canadian government has announced that international students enrolling in master’s and doctoral programs will be exempt from the national cap on study permits and will have their applications processed on a priority basis.
The move underscores Canada’s push to strengthen its position as a hub for advanced research and innovation.
According to the latest update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the new rules will take effect from January 1, 2026. The measure comes amid Canada’s broader recalibration of its international education strategy following the introduction of new intake caps earlier this year.
Under the revised framework, master’s and PhD students at public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) will not be counted under the country’s overall foreign student limit and will no longer need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL).
However, students enrolling in private institutions will still be subject to these caps and additional documentation requirements.
To make the process more efficient, doctoral students applying from outside Canada will now have access to a fast-tracked online visa process, with a target processing time of just 14 days, provided their applications are complete and biometrics have been submitted.
The reforms also extend to families of postgraduate students. Dependent spouses and children will be permitted to accompany the student, with spouses eligible for open work permits and children able to apply for study or visitor visas.
The announcement follows Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which reduced international student intake targets to 155,000 in 2026 and 150,000 in 2027.
The exemptions for master’s and doctoral students signal Canada’s intent to prioritize quality and research-oriented education over volume-driven admissions.
Officials said the decision aims to “strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem” and ensure that the country continues to attract highly skilled, research-focused talent to support its long-term economic and scientific growth.
