Canada Unveils 2025 Study Permit Allocations- Specifies Provincial Breakdown & PAL Requirements

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released a comprehensive breakdown of its 2025 study permit allocation, specifying the number of international students each province is projected to host. The announcement also provided further details regarding the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement.

For 2025, the federal government anticipates issuing 437,000 study permits, i.e. a 10% reduction compared to 2024. This reduction is being implemented through the introduction of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs); a mechanism designed to manage the intake of international students.

IRCC has now provided a more detailed breakdown of the 2025 study permit issuance, categorized by student type and specifying those requiring PALs and those exempt.

Study permits issued to international students in 2025

The table reveals that 73,282 study permits, representing 16.77% of the total, are allocated to graduate degree students (master’s and doctoral levels). This is a shift from the previously announced approximate 12% allocation for these students in September 2024. The remaining 242,994 permits are designated for other students requiring PALs, including those in post-secondary and non-degree graduate programs (e.g., certificates and diplomas).

Provincial and Territorial Breakdown of PAL/TAL-Required Study Permits

IRCC has also distributed the expected number of study permits for students requiring a PAL or TAL across Canadian provinces and territories.

Furthermore, IRCC has disclosed the maximum number of study permit applications that will be processed per province or territory for students needing a PAL or TAL. This translates to a maximum of 550,162 applications processed for this category. IRCC anticipates these allocations will achieve the targeted study permit numbers based on average approval rates from 2023 and 2024. A table outlining these allocations was also provided.

New PAL Requirements and Exemptions

Effective January 24, 2025, master's and doctoral students are now required to submit PAL letters, a change from the previous exemption. Conversely, exchange students have been added to the list of those exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement. Other exemptions include primary and secondary students (K-12), certain government priority groups and vulnerable cohorts, and existing study permit holders applying for extensions at the same designated learning institution (DLI) at the same study level.

Background and Rationale

The study permit cap aligns with the government's objective to reduce the proportion of temporary residents in Canada's population. The Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 incorporates targets for temporary resident levels, including study and work permit holders. The study permit cap contributes to the 2025 target of 305,900 student arrivals. These measures, along with changes to family open work permits and Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility, aim to reduce International Mobility Program (IMP) arrivals. The IMP target is 285,750 for 2025 and 128,700 for 2026 (note: 2026 figures are notional and subject to change).

To confirm latest news and apply for relevant visa in Canada in 2025, you may get in touch with our trusted and seasoned Canada migration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. For the most accurate and up-to-date details regarding study permit allocations, PAL requirements, and immigration policies, please refer to the official IRCC website.

- Rajneesh Kumar