Study Permit Caps and Compliance Changes Set to Impact International Students in 2025

New PAL/TAL Requirement Tightens Entry for Graduate and Master’s Students in Canada

Aspiring students aiming for prestigious institutions such as the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, McGill University, and McMaster University in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, will face increased competition due to recent policy changes. The Canadian government has finalized the allocations for study permits for 2025, setting the total at 437,000, a 10% decrease from the previous year. This reduction underscores the heightened challenge for prospective international students in securing their academic dreams in Canada.

Notably, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  imposed a cap on study permit applications to maintain program integrity and ease pressure on housing, healthcare, and other services. This decision led to a 40% decrease in international students, helping alleviate strain on rental markets in student-heavy areas. Since the introduction of the cap the previous year, it was reported that most study permit applicants have been required to submit a provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL). This requirement was said to now apply to master's and doctoral students, along with the majority of applicants applying from within Canada.

Existing study permit holders applying for an extension at the same DLI and level of study are exempt from submitting a PAL/TAL. A PAL/TAL confirms allocated spaces within provincial quotas. Unused allocation spaces from the previous year cannot be carried over by DLIs, provinces, or territories. The breakdown of study permits for 2025 by student cohort was reported to be as follows: Out of the 437,000 study permits expected to be issued in 2025, approximately 120,724 are anticipated to come from PAL/TAL-exempt students, while around 316,267 are expected to come from those required to submit a PAL/TAL.

Due to sustainable growth in the graduate international student sector, a cap was introduced to manage their numbers effectively. Consequently, provinces and territories will issue the same number of study permits to graduate students in 2025 as they did in 2023. The 2025 sub-allocation is based on 2023 figures. As of November 2024, DLIs must participate in student compliance reporting and letter of acceptance verification. Non-compliance may result in a one-year suspension, prohibiting the DLI from accepting new international students. The reduction in study permits and the introduction of PAL/TAL requirements for 2025 will intensify competition for international students, requiring careful planning and compliance with new regulations to secure a spot in Canada’s top institutions.

Editor's Note:

As Canada adjusts its study permit allocations for 2025, prospective international students face increased challenges due to a reduced quota and new provincial attestation requirements. With fewer study permits available, some students may find it harder to secure a spot in Canadian institutions. Students might need to demonstrate stronger financial stability to cover tuition and living expenses, given the increased scrutiny on applications. Overall, while the cap may present challenges for prospective students, it is designed to ensure that Canada's infrastructure can accommodate both international students and residents effectively.

According to Skoobuzz, this shift underscores the growing competition for spots in Canada’s most prominent institutions, urging students to plan and navigate evolving policies.