Key takeaways
- IRCC lists 28,200 new student arrivals from January to July 2026
- IRCC says this is 80% fewer than in January to July 2024, down 113,830
- 590,205 people held a study permit on July 31, 2026
- IRCC says master’s and doctoral students were 21% of new study permits from January to June 2026, up from 12% a year earlier (IRCC post on X, October 8, 2026)
- Master’s and doctoral students at public schools have not needed a PAL or TAL since January 1, 2026
- IRCC aims to process doctoral study permits in 2 weeks after the school verifies the acceptance letter
What IRCC’s data show
IRCC publishes these figures on its page Immigration stats: students and workers. The page says “Data as of July 31, 2026.”
| Measure | IRCC figure |
|---|---|
| New student arrivals, January to July 2026 | 28,200 |
| Change from January to July 2024 | 80% fewer, down 113,830 |
| New student arrivals in July 2026 | 5,820 |
| New student arrivals in all of 2024 | 292,875 |
| New student arrivals in all of 2025 | 114,975 |
| 2026 student arrivals target | 155,000 |
| People holding a study permit on July 31, 2026 | 590,205 |
The highest monthly number of study permit holders in IRCC’s table is 1,032,965, in June 2024.
What IRCC said on X on October 8
IRCC posted these points on its official account on October 8, 2026. They come from the IRCC post on X, not from the statistics page above.
- Master’s and doctoral students made up 21% of new study permits issued from January to June 2026. They made up 12% in the same period of 2025.
- University students made up 40% of new study permit holders in 2025, up from 30% in 2024.
- IRCC says the international student population is down more than 40% from its June 2024 peak.
IRCC also said more measures for graduate students are coming. It gave no details.
Two measures that already apply to graduate students
No PAL or TAL for master’s and doctoral students at public schools
Since January 1, 2026, people going to a degree-granting master’s or doctoral program at a public designated learning institution (DLI) do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) to apply for a study permit. You must show proof that you meet the exception. Quebec requirements, including the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), still apply. See IRCC’s PAL and TAL page. For more detail, read our guide on the study permit cap and PAL.
IRCC announced the exemption on November 25, 2025. The 2026 national target for this group is 49,000 study permits, out of 408,000 in total. This is in IRCC’s 2026 provincial and territorial allocations notice.
Faster processing for doctoral students
IRCC offers faster processing if you are enrolling in a doctoral program, applying from outside Canada, applying online and submitting a complete application. Your family members are included. See IRCC’s faster processing page.
- You must give biometrics within 2 weeks of the biometric instruction letter.
- Processing begins after your school confirms your letter of acceptance is valid. IRCC says this can take up to 10 calendar days.
- IRCC says: “After your DLI verifies your LOA, we aim to process your application within 2 weeks.”
IRCC says it aims for 2 weeks. It is a target, not a guarantee. IRCC repeats the 2-week figure on its graduate student how-to-apply page.
What this means for you
- You plan a master’s or PhD at a public school in Canada: you do not need a PAL or TAL, but you must show proof that you meet the exception. Quebec still requires a CAQ.
- You plan a PhD and apply online from outside Canada: you can use the faster processing stream if your application is complete.
- You plan a college or undergraduate program: the exemption above does not cover you. Check the PAL and TAL rules for your province or territory.
- You are already in Canada on a study permit: the numbers in this post describe the whole system. They do not change your own permit.
These numbers do not tell you whether your own application will be approved.
What to do next
- Read IRCC’s pages linked above for the current rules.
- Ask your school if it is a public DLI and if your program is a degree-granting master’s or doctoral program.
- Read our study in Canada hub and our guide to the path from study permit to permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions
How many new international students arrived from January to July 2026?
IRCC lists 28,200. IRCC says this is 80% fewer than in the same months of 2024.
How many people held a study permit on July 31, 2026?
590,205, according to IRCC.
Do master’s and PhD students need a PAL or TAL?
Not if they are going to a degree-granting master’s or doctoral program at a public DLI. They must show proof that they meet the exception, and Quebec requirements still apply.
How fast does IRCC process doctoral study permits?
IRCC aims to process them within 2 weeks after the school verifies the letter of acceptance. This is a target, and the stream has conditions.
Sources
- IRCC: Immigration stats, students and workers (data as of July 31, 2026)
- IRCC: Faster processing for graduate students
- IRCC: Graduate students, how to apply
- IRCC: Provincial attestation letter and territorial attestation letter
- IRCC: 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap
- IRCC on X, October 8, 2026 (source only for the 21% and 12%, the 40% and 30%, and the “down more than 40%” wording)
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.
