Esseindia Immigration

IRCC announces for study permits and changes to PGWP eligibility

The international student cap is here to stay” according to Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller.

Specifically, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will issue just 437,000 study permits in 2025. According to the department, this number is based on a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new study permits issued, and then stabilizing the intake cap for 2026.

IRCC expects this to result in 300,000 fewer study permits being issued to international students over the next few years.

This is just one of several announcements the minister made regarding ongoing changes to Canada’s international student program.

“The reality is that not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to—just like not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to,” said Miller.

“Our immigration system must preserve its integrity and be well-managed and sustainable. And as we look forward, we will do everything it takes to achieve that goal and set newcomers up for success.”

Master’s and PhD students now require a Provincial Attestation Letter

The updated cap will now include master’s and doctoral students, who will no longer be exempt from obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).

The department says it will be reserving approximately 12% of allocation spaces for these students “in recognition of the benefits they bring to the Canadian labour market.”

PALs were introduced earlier this year for many college and undergraduate students to help IRCC verify that their applications are genuine and stabilize the number of study permits issued.

Changes to PGWP eligibility

Additionally, more changes have been made to eligibility requirements for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Applicants will now be required to demonstrate a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 for university graduates and a CLB of 5 for college graduates who apply after November 1.