Master’s and PhD applicants are exempt from the 2026 study-permit cap. Undergraduate applicants need a PAL/TAL. Both pathways lead to a PGWP and Express Entry — if you pick the right institution and program.
Federal rules current as of April 2026. Provincial allocations vary — we file under the right province for your program.
| Topic | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
Total study-permit cap | 408,000 (–7%) | 2025437,000 |
New-arrival permits | 155,000 cap | 2025~485,000 issued |
Master’s / PhD | Exempt from Jan 1 2026 | 2025Counted in cap |
PAL / TAL required | Required undergrad only | 2025Most provinces |
Work limit during study | 24 hrs / week (from Mar 2026) | 2025Unlimited |
PGWP language requirement | CLB 7 uni / CLB 5 college | 2025Not required |
PGWP eligible fields | Frozen for 2026 | 2025Updated quarterly |
For informatory and consultation purposes only — visa rules, fees, and intake windows change; verify with the relevant official source and book a personal consultation before acting.
University of Toronto, Waterloo (co-op), Western, Queen’s, Ottawa. Largest provincial allocation, most competitive.
UBC, SFU, UVic. BC PNP Tech and International Graduate streams active. PGWP-to-PR pipeline well established.
Match your background to PGWP-eligible programs at DLI institutions. Avoid business diplomas (excluded from PGWP for college-level).
Provincial Attestation Letter for undergraduates; grad-program applicants are exempt as of January 2026.
GIC + first-year tuition proof, IELTS / TEF, statement of purpose, biometrics. Documents tailored to the visa office for your country of residence.
IRCC online filing, port-of-entry strategy, SIN setup, PGWP eligibility tracking from week one.
Where do you sit on Canadian admit-likelihood today, and where does that put you on Express Entry once your PGWP and 1–3 years of Canadian work are in hand?
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“Excellent experience with my study permit application. Every step was explained clearly, documents were handled accurately, and my permit was approved smoothly within 1 month.”
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For master’s and PhD applicants at public DLIs, no — you’re exempt. For undergraduates, the cap is real but each province publishes its own allocation. We file under the province with the strongest current allocation for your profile.
It’s enforced from 2 March 2026. The limit applies during academic sessions only; full-time work is allowed during scheduled breaks. We model your finances against the cap before you commit.
College-level business diplomas after 1 November 2024 are not PGWP-eligible. Most other college-program fields remain eligible per the frozen 2026 list. We pick programs from the eligible list only.
Standard processing varies by visa office — commonly 8–16 weeks in 2026. We file with biometrics and medical exam pre-positioned to avoid mid-process delays.
Our application team works with 100+ Canadian Designated Learning Institutions across Ontario, BC, Alberta, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces. Filter to see who we route applications through.
* Information shown for informatory purposes only and is subject to change. Final partnership status, intake availability, and entry requirements are confirmed during your consultation.
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