A lot of advice about studying in Canada still floating around online reflects rules from before 2024 — before the study permit caps, before the PGWP eligibility changes. If you're researching Canada right now, it's worth specifically checking that what you're reading reflects the current system, because the gap between "how it used to work" and "how it works now" is unusually large for Canada specifically.
The study permit cap is real and ongoing
Canada introduced a national cap on new study permits starting in 2024, and it has continued into 2026 — the target for new study permits in 2026 sits at roughly 155,000, a significant reduction from prior years. This matters practically: it means provinces and institutions are allocated limited shares, and getting a confirmed offer doesn't guarantee a study permit the way it more reliably did in previous years.
PGWP eligibility is no longer automatic by programme type
This is the change that catches the most students off guard. Previously, most post-secondary programmes led fairly predictably to Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility. That's no longer uniformly true:
- Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programmes at public institutions generally retain full PGWP eligibility
- College diploma and certificate programmes are now subject to a specific list of approved fields tied to long-term labour market needs — many previously popular diploma fields (including several business and hospitality management programmes) have been excluded
If you're considering a college diploma route specifically because it seemed like a faster, cheaper path to PGWP eligibility, verify your exact programme's current PGWP eligibility directly before enrolling — don't rely on the programme's reputation from a few years ago.
Work hours while studying
Off-campus work remains capped at 24 hours per week during academic sessions, with full-time work allowed during scheduled breaks — this specific rule hasn't changed, even as the broader system around it has.
Financial proof requirement
The current living-cost financial requirement sits at CAD $23,448/year (as of September 2026), on top of your first year's tuition — this figure itself was raised in recent years and is higher than what many older guides still quote.
What to actually check before committing
- Your specific programme's current PGWP eligibility status, confirmed directly with the institution, not assumed from the programme's general reputation
- Current provincial allocation and processing timelines — these shift and vary by province
- The current financial proof requirement, not a figure from an older source
- Whether your chosen institution is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in good standing — required for a valid study permit application