The government of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a 7% reduction in the 2026 target for study permits, setting the new cap at 408,000 permits. However, sector stakeholders caution this cut may have little real-world impact. That’s because actual permit-issuance volumes have already dropped sharply in the past two years — making the reduced cap more symbolic than substantive.
Under the 2026 plan, the 408,000 permits are to include 155,000 new arrivals and 253,000 extensions for current international students. Many observers see this breakdown as confirmation that extensions — rather than fresh admissions — will continue to account for the majority of permits.
This comes against a backdrop of fast-changing immigration policy. In 2024, a much larger cap was set — but the number of actual approvals has fallen dramatically. As of September 2025, study-permit holders had shrunk from over one million in early 2024 to about 725,000.
Given the ongoing low approval rates and stretched processing capacity, many institutions and observers argue the 2026 cap is unlikely to be met in full, irrespective of the government’s target — in other words, Canada “won’t come close” to fulfilling it. For prospective international students, the message is clear: even though official quotas appear generous, admission chances may be constrained by processing delays and stricter screening — not just by cap limits.
Source: ICEF Monitor
At RoutePal, we can guide you through the evolving Canadian study-visa landscape. From preparing applications to navigating extensions or considering alternative destinations, we’re here to help you make informed decisions.