The federal government has announced it will cut in half the number of international students enter school in the year 2026. Immigration plan stating the number of permanent residents and temporary residents receive in the coming year, along with the projected target for the next two years.
Canada still preferred candidates currently living in Canada as a permanent resident (PR).
Latest plan to re-assert the importance of the economic migrant, with the inflow of economic accounted for 64% of the total number of permanent residents was received in the year 2026.
According to the plan, “The goal for permanent residence, temporary and permanent residence also has a built in parallel, focusing on the transition to permanent residency for those who have been living in Canada with the skills and experience necessary.”
The number of applicants under the skilled federal is 109.000 km in the year 2026, increased 111.000 in the year 2027 and 2028. This number, including area, CEC, requires applicants to have at least one year work experience in Canada to be eligible.
This direction beneficial for the candidates already living in Canada, including international students, who can be eligible for a PGWP and can accumulate work experience in Canada needed to qualify for the CEC.
Strengthening Program nomination Province beneficial for international students
The federal government has increased 66% student enrollment by Program nomination Province (PNP) in the year 2026, in comparison with the target year 2025.
PNP is an important path to many international students transition to PR. Many PNP also has the threaded reserved for candidates who have graduated from the institution of higher learning in the province. International students still account for a large proportion in the total number of students staying matriculation.Although the indicators on the number of students staying has been cut in the next few years, international students still account for a large proportion in the total number of students staying matriculation.
The admissions 2026-2028
Under the new plan, the target receiving new international students only by almost a half compared with the previous plan for the year 2026 – about 155.000. This can lead to the number of study permits will be issued in the year 2026 less, and The department of immigration, Refugees and citizenship Canada (IRCC) will tighten more than the number of applications for study permits in the year compared to the year 2025.
Waivers study permit new
Last week, IRCC has also announced that they will be free limit study permit of Canada for students for Master's and doctorate, starting from day 1 month 1 year 2026.
This will help those pursuing the degree, this easy approach permits to study more. IRCC has also published processing time faster for ph. d. student and the family members accompanying allow them to get the record in just two weeks.
Source: cicnews.com