As of the New Year, Canada has implemented several significant changes, affecting various aspects from provincial labor rules to entrepreneurship pathways.

Graduate Students Exempt from Provincial Attestation Letter Requirement

Impacted Group: Foreign nationals considering pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in Canada.

Starting January 1, 2026, graduate students at designated learning institutions (DLIs) no longer need to provide a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) to obtain a study permit.

This change eliminates the requirement introduced in 2024 to ensure study permit applicants are within the province or territory’s international student cap.

Master’s and doctoral students are now exempt from the study permit cap, allowing more students to study in Canada. Doctoral students can benefit from expedited permit processing, as fast as two weeks.

Removing the PAL/TAL requirement simplifies the study permit process and reduces upfront costs, making it easier for foreign nationals to pursue graduate programs in Canada.

Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program Closure

Impacted Group: Foreign entrepreneurs seeking permanent residence in Canada.

On December 31, IRCC ceased accepting new applications for the Start-Up Visa program. However, individuals with a commitment certificate from a designated organization made in 2025 have until June 30, 2026, to apply.

Additionally, new applications for work permits under this program are no longer being accepted.