Canada’s 2025 student cap, PGWP field-of-study rules, and new spousal open work permit limits—what students and families must know.
At a glance
- Study permits capped at 437,000 for 2025 with provincial/territorial allocations and expanded PAL/TAL rules (now includes most master’s/PhD applicants).
- PGWP: new field-of-study requirement for non-degree programs; list revised July 4, 2025 (119 fields added, 178 removed). Applications before June 25, 2025 are grandparented.
- Spousal open work permits (SOWP): tightened eligibility as of January 21, 2025 for spouses of both foreign workers and international students
The 2025 cap & PAL/TAL: what changed
IRCC finalized 2025 allocations targeting 437,000 study permits (a 10% reduction from 2024). PAL/TAL requirements now also apply to master’s and doctoral students (with reserved spaces for graduate cohorts), plus most in-Canada applicants. Some groups remain exempt (K-12, certain priority/vulnerable cohorts, and extensions at the same DLI/level). Check your province’s expected numbers in the official table.
Tip: Applicants should secure the correct PAL/TAL early and confirm their DLI remains in good standing (DLIs can be suspended for LOA/attendance non-compliance).
PGWP: new field-of-study rule (and July 4 update)
Since 2024, students in non-degree programs (certificates/diplomas) must complete a program in an eligible field of study aligned to long-term labour shortages (linked to Express Entry priorities). On June 25, 2025, IRCC updated the list; on July 4, 2025, IRCC added back some fields removed on June 25. If you applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, you’ll be assessed against the list at the time you applied. The current list is slated for another update in early 2026; verify your program’s CIP code before you enroll.
Master’s PGWP length: Master’s graduates can still qualify for up to 3-year PGWPs even if the program is under 2 years (8+ months), provided other criteria are met.
Spousal open work permits in 2025
Two big shifts:
- Spouses of temporary foreign workers: As of Jan 21, 2025, only select spouses qualify (generally spouses of high-skilled workers in TEER 0 or 1, and a defined list of TEER 2/3 occupations). Dependent children are no longer eligible for OWPs under this measure. Existing permits remain valid; some in-Canada extensions are possible.
- Spouses of international students: Eligibility is now limited to spouses of students in 16-month+ master’s programs, doctoral programs, certain professional degrees (e.g., MD, JD, BEd, BEng, BScN), and a small set of provincial/sectoral bridging programs.
What students should do now
- Confirm if your program’s CIP is PGWP-eligible before enrolling.
- Budget extra time for PAL/TAL processing and provincial quotas.
- If bringing a spouse, confirm SOWP eligibility under the new rules well before intake.
