🇨🇦 Study & students

Under the temporary measure, eligible work permit holders already in Canada can study for up to 6 months without a study permit, or until their work permit expires, whichever comes first. The measure is intended to allow workers to pursue short-term licensing, education or training opportunities while continuing to work. Full-time studies still require a study permit. The measure remains in effect until 31 December 2027.

For study permit applications submitted on or after 1 September 2026, applicants studying in any Canadian province or territory other than Quebec must demonstrate higher minimum funds for their first year of living expenses. A single applicant must now show CAD $23,448 for annual living expenses. This amount does not include tuition or transportation costs. The required amount increases depending on the number of family members accompanying the applicant: * 1 person: CAD $23,448 * 2 people: CAD $29,192 * 3 people: CAD $35,888 * 4 people: CAD $43,572 * 5 people: CAD $49,419 * 6 people: CAD $55,736 * 7 people: CAD $62,054 * Each additional family member: CAD $6,318 Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds for the first year of their studies. If the programme lasts longer than one year, they must also explain how they intend to finance the full duration of their studies. IRCC may consider evidence such as a scholarship extending beyond the first year or evidence that a parent or other financial supporter remains employed. IRCC has also clarified the types of documents applicants can use to demonstrate their financial capacity. These can include: * proof that first-year tuition or housing fees have already been paid * a student or education loan from a bank * scholarship documentation * proof of participation in a Government of Canada-funded educational programme * recent employment pay stubs * a financial-support letter from a person or institution * evidence of the relationship between the applicant and their financial supporter * proof of a Canadian bank account in the applicant's name * a Guaranteed Investment Certificate * bank statements covering the previous six months, including the month of application or the preceding month * documentation showing the source of income or funds appearing in those bank statements * pension-related financial documents * proof of income from rental properties These examples are not an exhaustive list, and applicants do not need to submit every type of document. They must provide enough evidence to demonstrate that they meet the financial-capacity requirement. Importantly, IRCC assesses not only how much money an applicant has, but also the source of the funds and whether those funds will remain available throughout the applicant's studies. The new financial amounts apply to applications submitted from 1 September 2026 onward. Applications submitted between 1 January 2025 and 31 August 2026 remain subject to the previous financial thresholds. Quebec is not covered by these amounts because students intending to study in Quebec must meet the province's separate financial requirements through the Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) process.

There is no substantive new eligibility rule. Instead, as of 12 August 2026, AAIP expanded the eligibility webpages for the three Entrepreneur Streams to explain how it assesses the existing economic establishment requirement. Six economic-establishment factors AAIP may consider the following areas when determining whether an applicant and proposed business are likely to become economically established in Alberta: 1. Alberta business presence AAIP considers whether the entrepreneur will genuinely establish and operate the business in Alberta and whether the applicant will be actively involved in managing the business. This is particularly important because the Entrepreneur Streams are intended for individuals who will establish or operate businesses in Alberta rather than simply invest in a business from elsewhere. 2. Business viability and sustainability AAIP considers whether the proposed business is realistically capable of operating successfully and remaining sustainable. This means the applicant's business proposal should provide a credible explanation of how the business will operate, compete, generate revenue and remain viable over time. 3. Economic contribution to Alberta AAIP considers the potential economic contribution of the proposed business. Relevant considerations can include investment, job creation, business expansion, innovation, export development and regional economic diversification. The assessment therefore goes beyond simply asking whether an applicant can open a business. AAIP can consider whether the proposed business is likely to contribute meaningfully to Alberta's economy. 4. Employment and workforce planning AAIP may assess whether proposed employment and hiring plans are reasonable for the size, nature and operational requirements of the business. The assessment can take into account factors such as proposed salaries, financial projections, business growth plans and relevant Alberta labour-market information. Applicants should therefore ensure that proposed staffing plans are consistent with the actual scale and needs of their business. 5. Applicant capacity and business alignment AAIP may consider whether the applicant has the experience, knowledge, financial capacity and management ability needed to establish, operate and grow the proposed business. The applicant's background should therefore make sense in relation to the proposed business and its operational requirements. 6. Regulatory readiness AAIP may consider whether the applicant has identified and understands the federal, provincial and municipal laws, regulations, licensing requirements and industry standards that apply to the proposed business. Applicants should demonstrate that they have considered how they will meet these regulatory obligations when establishing and operating the business. How the six factors are used These factors are not six additional minimum eligibility criteria that applicants must separately satisfy. Instead, they provide greater transparency about how AAIP assesses whether an applicant has a strong likelihood of becoming economically established in Alberta. AAIP can consider information provided through different stages of the process, including: The Expression of Interest. The Business Application. Information and documents provided during AAIP's assessment. Information available during the business establishment and monitoring phase after nomination. If AAIP has concerns about whether an application meets the economic-establishment requirement, an applicant being assessed will have an opportunity to provide additional information before AAIP makes a decision.

The public policy allows certain French-speaking foreign nationals and their family members to receive exemptions from specific requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations when applying for study permits, work permits, temporary resident visas, extensions of stay, or restoration of status under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP). It introduces increased annual caps for study permit applications for principal applicants (Part A) to 2,970 between 26 August 2025 and 25 August 2026, and 2,970 between 26 August 2026 and 25 August 2027. It also clarifies the list of countries eligible for the pilot based on their membership in l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie within a world region with historically high study permit refusal rates (majority of constituent countries with a refusal rate of 60% or more) as of 26 August 2024. These countries include: Africa (Benin, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Togo, Tunisia), Middle East (Egypt, Lebanon), and Americas (Haiti, Dominica, Saint Lucia).

IRCC has published its 2027 study permit allocation, holding intake close to current levels and narrowing which programmes qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.