Canada's Big Push for Master's and PhD students

Canada just made a really calculated move: slash the undergraduate study permits while rolling out the red carpet for graduate students. The message is clear – the country wants researchers, advanced professionals, and future innovators, and it is willing to make the path significantly easier for them.

What Changed in November 2025

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced sweeping changes that completely reshape who gets into Canadian universities. While overall new study permits got cut by 49% to just 155,000 for 2026, Master's and PhD students got carved out as the exception to every restrictive rule.

Starting January 1, 2026, graduate students planning to enrol at a public university in Canada will be exempted from the enrollment cap. No Provincial Attestation Letter required. No competing for limited spots. Just a straightforward application process.

But private institutions? Still capped and counting toward provincial limits. The exemptions only applies to public universities and colleges offering graduate programs.

The 14-Day Promise for PhD Students

Now here's where things get more interesting. PhD applicants from abroad – along with any family members applying at the SAME time – now get study permits processed in just 14 days. Just two weeks, that's faster than most people can pack for an international move.

IRCC positioned this as essential for boosting research capacity in healthcare, technology, and innovation. The country needs advanced researchers, and apparently bureaucratic delays are getting in the way. Thus problem identified, problem solved.

A dedicated graduate student webpage now streamlines the entire application process, eliminating the confusion that typically hinders international applications.

The Numbers Behind the Policy

Graduate students made up to roughly 10% of study permits issued in 2023 – about 53,000 permits. With the new exemptions, Canada could realistically add 30,000 to 50,000 more graduate spots on top of the 155,000 cap. That effectively softens the overall reduction to somewhere between 30% and 41%, depending on how many graduate students actually apply.

The strategy is obvious: fewer undergrads partying through business degrees, more researchers pushing boundaries in labs and innovation hubs.

What Happens After Graduation

The real incentive isn't just getting in, it's what comes after. Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) allow degree completionists to work in Canada for up to three years in any field. The 2025 rule changes dropped the field-of-study restrictions that used to limit where graduates could work, opening up the job market completely.

From there, pathways to permanent residency get remarkably straightforward. IRCC increased the 2025 PR allocation for graduates in high-demand fields, meaning many students can lock down permanent residency within one to two years of finishing their degree.

Study, work, stay. The pipeline is intentional and efficient.

Why This Matters Right Now

Due to quicker decision-making processes compared to institutions in the US, UK, and Australia, public universities like UoT, UBC, McGill and Waterloo now have a huge advantage when it comes to recruiting new international talent because they are no longer restricted by quotas and have created very clear paths for international students towards getting Permanent Resident status once they complete their studies.

This change in practice is particularly significant for Indian students since they have consistently been ranked as the number one country sending students to Canada. The combination of work flexibility, research opportunities and having pathways towards Permanent Resident status after completion of their studies all fall into line with the long-term career and immigration goals that nearly every Indian student has.

What To Do About It

The window is open, but once word gets out, competition will quickly intensify. Apply early to public DLIs. For the most recent requirements and processing schedules, visit the IRCC's special graduate student webpage. Before committing, confirm that the organisation is eligible to be a public DLI.

These changes make Canada one of the smartest bets for advanced studies that actually lead somewhere. 

Yes, the process can be overwhelming and the applications can be confusing. But that’s what we are here for! We are here to support you not only on the corners but on straight paths too. So don’t step back because it is difficult, but step up because you can! Let us be a part of your journey. Contact us today at Hello Study Global.

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