IRCC announces tighter cap 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.

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. Miller says he expects this will result in 175,000 fewer PGWPs being issued over the next three years.

Limits for Spousal Open Work Permits 

IRCC is also limiting work permit eligibility, later this year, to spouses of master’s degree students whose program is at least 16 months in duration. This is expected to result in 50,000 fewer spousal work permits being issued over the next three years. Unrelated to the international student program, Spousal Open Work Permits will also be limited to the spouses of Canadians or permanent residents who are employed in critical work sectors.