Applying to Canada in 2026? Two study-permit changes international students need know

Canada has quietly updated how study-permit applications will be processed in 2026, easing two major pain points for international students. Joint-programme applicants will now need only one provincial or territorial attestation letter for a single credential, instead of navigating multiple jurisdictions. And master’s and PhD students at public institutions are exempt from attestation letters altogether—cutting paperwork, reducing technical returns, and making timelines more predictable.