The changes aim to reduce administrative burdens while supporting the government's broader efforts to manage international student numbers, according to CIC News, Canada's largest immigration news website.

Previously, students enrolled in joint programs involving more than one designated learning institution, or requiring study across multiple provinces or territories, were required to obtain separate provincial or territorial attestation letters from each institution and jurisdiction.

IRCC explained that a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or territorial attestation letter (TAL) is issued by the province or territory where an international student plans to study, confirming that the student has been allocated one of the available study spaces.

Most study permit applicants are required to submit a PAL or TAL unless they qualify for an exemption.

The updated instructions apply to applications received in 2026. Applications submitted before Jan. 1, 2026, will continue to be processed under the rules in effect at the time of submission.

Canada has recorded a sharp decline in new international student permits following the government's tightening of study visa rules.

IRCC data show that just 2,485 new study permits were issued in November 2025, down from 95,320 in December 2023, when approvals surged ahead of the winter intake, marking the highest monthly total on record.

New student arrivals between January and November 2025 fell by 60%, or 157,380 students, compared with the same period in 2024.

As of Nov. 30, 2025, Canada had 476,330 international students, down from 673,970 recorded on Dec. 23, 2023.

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