Kathmandu
| Ottawa
Education
& Immigration Update
Canada
has announced sweeping changes to its international student intake for 2026, sending mixed signals to
thousands of Nepalese students planning to study abroad. While the country has further reduced its overall study permit
numbers, it has also introduced a major exemption that strongly benefits Master’s and PhD students,
it is a turning point for serious academic applicants from Nepal.
Tougher Competition
for Undergraduate & Diploma Students
Under
the revised framework, Canada will issue only 408,000 study permits in 2026,
which is 7% lower than 2025 and 16% lower than 2024 when intake
was at its peak. More critically, the quota for new international students entering Canada in 2026 has been capped at
just 155,000.
For
Nepalese students planning diploma,
advanced diploma, or bachelor’s programs, this mean the seats are very limited with high refusal rates. Students have
to face intense competition for the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
Master’s & PhD Students Exempt from PAL
In
a significant and positive development, the Canadian government has confirmed
that Master’s and Doctoral students
enrolled in public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) will no longer be required to obtain a Provincial
or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL).What this means there’s no provincial quota limitations, Faster
and smoother visa processing with higher chances of approval for genuine
students. This exemption clearly signals Canada’s intention to attract high-skilled, research-focused
international students, rather than large numbers of short-term diploma
applicants.
Why This Is Important for Nepalese Students and Families?
For
many Nepalese families, studying in Canada involves life savings, loans, and family sacrifices. This policy shift
changes the risk landscape:
If you are planning for diploma or
undergraduate Study you must expect longer wait times, unpredictable
outcomes and higher refusal risk as Canada is no longer the “safe” or “easy”
destination it once was.
If you are planning for Master’s or PhD Study then Canada is now one
of the most stable options especially for students with good academic
history, clear career plans and research or professional alignment
Advice for Nepalese Students Applying for 2026
Nepalese students with strong academic backgrounds
now have a clearer, safer path, while others must reconsider strategy.
