ONTARIO: Canada has announced a streamlined study permit process for international students pursuing master’s and PhD programs, with applications for eligible students expected to be processed within two weeks.
According to details, the Canadian government has introduced the measures as it seeks to attract highly qualified international students and researchers, despite an overall decline in the number of international students in the country.
Canada’s immigration department said study permit applications from PhD candidates would receive a decision within approximately two weeks.
In another major change, effective January 1, 2026, students enrolled in master’s and PhD programs at eligible public institutions are exempt from providing a provincial or territorial attestation letter as part of their study permit application.
Eligible graduate students would also be allowed to have their relatives join them in Canada according to the rules governing such cases. Once they finish their studies, they could be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) depending on the eligibility criteria.
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Official statistics quoted in the report show that the total number of international students in Canada has reduced by approximately one-third when compared to 2024. The proportion of graduate students, however, has gone up to 21 percent from 12 percent in the previous year.
According to the Government of Canada, these policy modifications are meant to attract the world’s best researchers and students to Canada.
