Canada reveals study permit breakdown by province and updates on PALs
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published the provincial breakdown of its study permit allocations 2025, specifying the anticipated number of international students for each province. Additionally, the IRCC has provided further clarification regarding the requirement for the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
According to projections from the federal government, the issuance of study permits is expected to reach 437,000 in 2025, which represents a 10% decline compared to the figures for 2024.
To assist in the implementation of this cap, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs). Recently, the department published a comprehensive breakdown of the issuance of study permits for 2025, categorizing the permits according to student classifications, as well as identifying those applicants who will require PALs versus those who will be exempt from this requirement.
Study permits issued to international student in 2025
| Graduate degree students | 73,282 CAD |
| Kindergarten to grade 12 applicants (PAL/TAL-exempt) | 72,200 CAD |
| All other PAL/TAL-exempt applicants | 48,524 CAD |
| Remaining PAL/TAL-required cohorts | 242,994 CAD |
| Total: | 437,000 CAD |
The data presented in this table indicates that the total number of study permits issued to graduate degree students is projected to be 73,282. This figure encompasses individuals pursuing either a master’s or a doctoral degree.
IRCC has allocated 16.77% of all study permits for 2025 to graduate degree students.
NOTE: On September 18, 2024, the government announced it would reserve about 12% of allocation spaces for master’s and doctoral students.
There are 242,994 expected study permits to be issued to students requiring PALs. This includes post-secondary study permit applicants and those studying in non-degree granting graduate programs, such as certificate programs and graduate diplomas.
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Study Permit Provincial and Territorial Breakdown
IRCC has specified the total number of study permits expected to be issued for students needing a PAL or TAL in 2025, categorized by Canadian provinces and territories.
| Province or Territory | Expected study permits for graduate degree students | Expected study permits for remaining students requiring PAL/TAL | Total expected number of study permits to be issued to all PAL/TAL-required students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 21,841 | 94,899 | 116,740 |
| Prince Edward Island | 205 | 1,045 | 1,250 |
| British Columbia | 20,053 | 33,536 | 53,589 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 1,456 | 3,208 | 4,664 |
| Northwest Territories | 0 | 220 | 220 |
| Nunavut | 0 | 220 | 220 |
| Alberta | 3,887 | 28,773 | 32,660 |
| Yukon | 1 | 338 | 339 |
| New Brunswick | 1,400 | 5,030 | 6,430 |
| Nova Scotia | 1,954 | 6,343 | 8,297 |
| Manitoba | 1,224 | 8,797 | 10,021 |
| Quebec | 19,683 | 53,294 | 72,977 |
| Saskatchewan | 1,578 | 7,291 | 8,869 |
| Total | 73,282 | 242,994 | 316,276 |
The department has taken an additional step by providing the maximum number of study permit applications that will be processed for each province or territory for students who need to submit a PAL or TAL with their study permit application.
IRCC will process a maximum of 550,162 study permit applications that require a PAL or TAL.
The department anticipates that the allocations will achieve the target number of study permits issued according to the established caps, based on the average approval rate in each province and territory for 2023 and 2024.
| Province or Territory | Allocations for Graduate Students | Allocations for All Other PAL/TAL-Required Students | Total Allocations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 5,256 | 42,082 | 47,338 |
| Yukon | 1 | 463 | 464 |
| Quebec | 38,786 | 123,956 | 162,742 |
| Ontario | 32,579 | 149,011 | 181,590 |
| Saskatchewan | 2,791 | 14,850 | 17,641 |
| Prince Edward Island | 391 | 2,044 | 2,435 |
| Nunavut | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nova Scotia | 4,191 | 14,411 | 18,602 |
| Northwest Territories | 0 | 705 | 705 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2,648 | 6,534 | 9,182 |
| British Columbia | 28,333 | 47,754 | 76,087 |
| New Brunswick | 3,112 | 11,673 | 14,785 |
| Manitoba | 1,980 | 16,611 | 18,591 |
| Total | 120,068 | 430,094 | 550,162 |
Newly Implemented PAL Requirements
On September 18, 2024, the IRCC announced that master’s and doctoral students will now be required to submit PAL letters, a requirement from which they were previously exempt.
The department has confirmed that this new requirement will take effect on January 24, 2025.
It also announced a new exemption: Exchange students will now join the group that does not need to submit a PAL or TAL.
Other groups exempt from PAL or TAL requirements include:
- Primary and secondary students (from kindergarten to grade 12);
- Specific priority groups and vulnerable populations identified by the Government of Canada; and
- Current study permit holders seeking an extension at the same designated learning institution (DLI) and pursuing the same level of study.
NOTE: Immigration levels for 2026 are national targets and may be adjusted in next Immigration Levels Plan.
