What the Cap Is
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says the international student cap limits the number of study permit applications it accepts into processing each year. The cap was introduced in 2024. The figures on this page come from IRCC's notice of November 25, 2025.
The Three Numbers
408,000 is the number of study permits IRCC expects to issue in 2026, at most. It includes 155,000 for newly arriving international students and 253,000 extensions for current and returning students.
180,000 is the part of that target for applicants who need a PAL or TAL. The other 228,000 is made up of 49,000 master's and doctoral students at public DLIs, 115,000 primary and secondary students, and 64,000 other exempt applicants.
309,670 is the maximum number of study permit applications IRCC will accept for processing in 2026 from students who need a PAL or TAL. It is higher than 180,000 because IRCC takes into account that some applications are refused.
How Spaces Are Divided
IRCC says the 180,000 target is distributed to provinces and territories based on population. The application allocations are based on each jurisdiction's average study permit application approval rate from 2024 and 2025. Each province or territory is responsible for distributing its spaces to its DLIs.
The largest allocations are Ontario at 104,780, Quebec at 93,069, British Columbia at 32,596 and Alberta at 32,271. Nunavut's allocation is 0.
Who Is Exempt
IRCC's notice names these groups as exempt from the PAL or TAL requirement in 2026: master's and doctoral degree students enrolled at public DLIs, primary and secondary students, certain Government of Canada priority groups and vulnerable cohorts, and existing study permit holders applying for an extension at the same DLI and the same level of study. IRCC's PAL page has the full list of exemptions, and says proof of an exception must be provided with the application.
Quebec uses an attestation of issuance of a Quebec Acceptance Certificate instead of a PAL or TAL.