Canada Reveals 2025 Study Permit Allocation: New Rules for International Students
Explore Canada’s 2025 study permit allocations, updates on PAL requirements, and immigration targets. Learn how IRCC plans to manage international student intake effectively.
Key Highlights of the Study Permit Allocations
Projected Study Permit Issuances
Canada has announced the provincial breakdown of its 2025 study permit allocation. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expects to issue 437,000 study permits—a 10% reduction compared to 2024.
This includes:
- Graduate degree students: 73,282 permits (16.77% of total permits).
- PAL/TAL-exempt kindergarten to grade 12 applicants: 72,200 permits.
- Other PAL/TAL-exempt categories: 48,524 permits.
- Remaining PAL/TAL-required students: 242,994 permits.
Breakdown by Provinces and Territories
Study Permits for Graduate Students and PAL/TAL-Required Categories
| Province/Territory | Graduate Degree Students | Other PAL/TAL-Required Students | Total Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 21,841 | 94,899 | 116,740 |
| British Columbia | 20,053 | 33,536 | 53,589 |
| Quebec | 19,683 | 53,294 | 72,977 |
| Alberta | 3,887 | 28,773 | 32,660 |
Other provinces, such as Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan, have allocations reflecting their respective capacities for accommodating international students.
Maximum Allocations for Study Permit Applications
IRCC has also revealed the maximum number of applications they will process for students needing PAL/TAL:
- Total allocation: 550,162 applications.
- Provinces like Ontario and Quebec have the highest allocations, ensuring they meet their designated student intake.
PAL Requirements Update
Effective January 24, 2025, master's and doctoral students must submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) when applying for a study permit. Previously exempt, this change aims to standardize processes across student categories.
Exemptions from PAL/TAL Requirements:
- Primary and secondary school students (Kindergarten to Grade 12).
- Certain Government of Canada priority groups and vulnerable populations.
- Existing study permit holders applying for extensions at the same DLI and study level.
- Exchange students (new exemption).
Federal Government’s Objectives
The cap on study permits aligns with Canada’s strategy to control temporary resident numbers, aiming to reduce the overall percentage of foreign nationals relative to its population.
The Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 targets:
- 305,900 international student arrivals in 2025.
- A reduced 128,700 arrivals under the International Mobility Program (IMP) in 2026.
These measures complement tightened regulations on family open work permits and PGWPs to balance Canada’s immigration framework.
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