Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced measures to strengthen graduate student recruitment following recent enrolment restrictions.

Starting January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral candidates at public universities will be exempt from the international student cap, eliminating the need for provincial attestation letters.

Additionally, doctoral applicants will benefit from expedited 14-day study permit processing, extended to accompanying family members.

These policy shifts signal Canada's commitment to attracting top-tier academic talent while maintaining tighter controls on undergraduate enrolment. The changes position public institutions to expand their graduate programs substantially.

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