Post by : Rameen Ariff

Canada has announced plans to lower the number of international study permits and temporary work permits in 2026, affecting many Indian nationals. The government expects to issue a total of 408,000 study permits next year, which includes 155,000 for new students and 253,000 for extensions. This is a seven percent drop from the 437,000 permits issued in 2025 and a 16 percent decrease from 485,000 in 2024.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP) will see 230,000 new work permits issued in 2026. These numbers are expected to fall to 220,000 in 2027 and 2028. Indian nationals have been the most impacted group in recent years, making up 20.8% of TFWP entrants, 29.2% of IMP entrants, and 36.5% of international students in 2024.

The Canadian government stated that these reductions are part of a broader plan to reduce the share of temporary residents to below five percent of the total population by the end of 2027. Overall, total entries for temporary workers and students will fall to 385,000 in 2026, and then to 370,000 in 2027 and 2028.

The 2026 plan also introduces a simplification for higher education students. From January 1, 2026, Master's and PhD students at publicly designated learning institutions (DLIs) will no longer need provincial or territorial attestation letters (PAL/TAL). Other groups exempt from PAL/TAL include K-12 students, certain federal priority and vulnerable groups, and current study permit holders applying for an extension at the same school and level.

These changes highlight Canada’s effort to manage temporary resident numbers while maintaining opportunities for students and skilled workers who contribute to innovation and the economy.

#Education News