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New Policy Aims to Attract Top Research Talent While Balancing Immigration Levels

This is exciting news for International Students! Beginning January 2026, Canada will make it easier for international master’s and PhD students to study in the country. Under the new Immigration Levels Plan (2026–2028), graduate students enrolling at public universities will be exempt from the federal study permit cap. Therefore, they will not be affected by the restrictions.

Fast-Track Processing for Doctoral Applicants

Moreover, in addition to the exemption, PhD applicants from outside Canada will benefit from faster 14-day visa processing for their study permits. In fact, this fast-track option also extends to accompanying family members.

The Canadian government has also launched a new IRCC webpage for graduate students. Here, it shares information about study options, scholarships, and post-graduation work opportunities.

Why Graduate Students are Exempt

This move comes shortly after Canada announced plans to reduce the overall number of international students. However, while the government is restricting undergraduate and college-level permits, it aims to continue attracting top research talent.

For this reason, graduate students are viewed as vital contributors to Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Furthermore, they are statistically more likely to remain in the country and transition to permanent residents after finishing their studies.

Canada’s Study Permit Targets (New Arrivals)

The cap applies only to new arrivals joining programs longer than six months at approved Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). Specifically, the targets for new student intake are as follows:

Balancing Growth and Sustainability

The overall cap on study permits is part of a wider government strategy. The main goal is to reduce the temporary resident population to below 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. Consequently, this strategy addresses concerns that years of rapid population growth have significantly strained essential services such as housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Implications for Future Students

In short, while Canada is introducing stricter rules for most temporary international students, it is actively safeguarding and enhancing pathways for master’s and PhD candidates. Ultimately, this strategic focus on advanced education ensures Canada remains one of the most welcoming global destinations for high-level academic and research pursuits.