Study Permit Reform: Canada Exempts Postgraduate Students From PAL/TAL in 2026 - Newstrends
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Study Permit Reform: Canada Exempts Postgraduate Students From PAL/TAL in 2026

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Study Permit Reform: Canada Exempts Postgraduate Students From PAL/TAL in 2026

The Government of Canada has unveiled major reforms to its study permit system, announcing a more streamlined process for international postgraduate students beginning January 2026. Under the new policy, master’s and doctoral candidates enrolled in public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) will no longer be required to submit Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letters (PAL/TAL).

The policy shift forms part of a broader federal plan to simplify pathways for highly skilled students while maintaining firm control over overall international student intake.

The PAL/TAL system, introduced to help provinces regulate student numbers, has improved oversight but also increased processing times and administrative workload. The 2026 exemption is expected to significantly speed up permit approvals for postgraduate applicants and reduce paperwork.

Despite easing requirements for advanced degree programs, Canada will continue enforcing a national cap on international students. Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Ottawa intends to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026—comprising 155,000 new permits and 253,000 extensions. This marks a 7% drop from 2025 and 16% below 2024 levels. However, the government says it remains committed to attracting top-tier researchers and graduate talent.

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Under the revised rules, PAL/TAL exemptions will apply to:

  • Master’s and PhD students at public DLIs
  • K–12 learners
  • Certain federal priority and vulnerable groups
  • Current study permit holders applying for extensions at the same level and institution

Of the 309,670 study permit spaces allocated under the 2026 cap, an estimated 180,000 applicants will still require PAL/TALs, allowing provinces to retain oversight on enrolment levels.

Master’s and PhD candidates will also be removed from the national study permit cap, ensuring they are not subject to annual limits. Additionally, PhD applicants will benefit from expedited 14-day processing, part of Canada’s strategy to remain globally competitive in research recruitment.

Federal targets for new international student entries remain:

  • 2026: 155,000 (range: 150,000–160,000)
  • 2027: 150,000 (range: 145,000–155,000)
  • 2028: 150,000 (range: 145,000–155,000)

These targets apply to students entering academic programs longer than six months at approved DLIs.

The reforms highlight Canada’s dual-track approach: maintaining tighter control over total enrolment while incentivising high-level research, innovation, and postgraduate education. By removing administrative barriers and offering faster processing for top applicants, Canada aims to strengthen its position as a leading destination for skilled and ambitious international students.

Study Permit Reform: Canada Exempts Postgraduate Students From PAL/TAL in 2026

Education

NABTEB Releases 2025 Nov/Dec NBC, NTC Results Nationwide

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National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB)

NABTEB Releases 2025 Nov/Dec NBC, NTC Results Nationwide

The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has officially released the 2025 November/December NBC and NTC examination results, giving thousands of candidates nationwide access to their performance in the just-concluded exams.

Announcing the release at the board’s headquarters in Benin City, NABTEB Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Mohammed, said the results were made public 64 days after the last paper, underscoring the board’s commitment to efficiency and transparency.

According to NABTEB, a total of 61,591 candidates sat for the NBC, NTC, ANBC, and ANTC examinations across the country. Of this number, over 34,000 candidates recorded five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, a key benchmark for employment, technical training, and further education.

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The board also reported a notable decline in examination malpractice, attributing the improvement to tighter supervision, enhanced monitoring, and increased use of technology during the examination process.

Dr. Mohammed said the outcome reflects NABTEB’s growing role in strengthening technical and vocational education in Nigeria, adding that the board remains focused on producing skilled manpower capable of driving national development.

Candidates have been advised to check their results on the official NABTEB results portal, while institutions and employers were urged to continue recognising NBC and NTC certificates as credible qualifications for skills-based careers.

The release of the results has been welcomed by stakeholders, who say the improved performance and reduced malpractice signal renewed confidence in the NABTEB examination system.

NABTEB Releases 2025 Nov/Dec NBC, NTC Results Nationwide

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JAMB Insists 2026 UTME Registration Closes Feb 26, Rules Out Deadline Extension

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JAMB CBT Centre

JAMB Insists 2026 UTME Registration Closes Feb 26, Rules Out Deadline Extension

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reaffirmed that the registration deadline for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will not be extended beyond February 26, 2026, urging prospective candidates to complete their registration without delay.

The examination body issued the reminder in its Weekly Bulletin released on Monday, warning that candidates who deliberately postpone registration until the final days should not expect any form of extension.

According to JAMB, there has been a noticeable low turnout at many accredited registration centres weeks into the registration exercise, a trend the Board said often precedes pressure campaigns for deadline extensions.

“The Board has observed with concern the near absence of candidates at many accredited registration centres at this stage of the exercise. This recurring pattern where candidates deliberately delay registration until the final days and subsequently agitate for an extension will not be entertained in 2026,” JAMB stated.

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The Board explained that the tactic is frequently used to trigger mass movement of candidates to registration centres, a situation that increases the risk of examination malpractice and compromises the integrity of the process.

JAMB stressed that it is fully aware of such practices and has factored them into its planning, stating unequivocally that no extension will be granted under any circumstance.

“There will be no extension of the registration period. This notice is issued to ensure that genuine, law-abiding candidates are not misled or disadvantaged,” the Board said.

The examination body reminded candidates that 2026 UTME registration commenced on January 26, 2026, and was deliberately scheduled to run for five weeks, adding that the timeline remains unchanged.

JAMB disclosed that about one million candidates have already indicated interest in the examination, while many others have obtained their e-PINs and are expected to complete the registration process before the deadline.

The Board further explained that extending the registration window would be practically impossible, as its operational calendar is tightly coordinated with those of other national examination bodies. Any adjustment, it said, would disrupt the broader examination schedule and interfere with timelines reserved for other critical assessments.

JAMB therefore urged all prospective candidates to register early at accredited centres and avoid last-minute rushes that could result in missing the opportunity to sit for the 2026 UTME.

JAMB Insists 2026 UTME Registration Closes Feb 26, Rules Out Deadline Extension

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Exam Policy Tragedy: KWASU Final-Year Student Dies After Being Turned Back Over ID Card

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Exam Policy Tragedy: KWASU Final-Year Student Dies After Being Turned Back Over ID Card

A tragic accident involving a final-year student of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has sparked fresh concerns over strict examination entry rules in Nigerian tertiary institutions after the student reportedly lost his life while rushing to retrieve his identity card.

The deceased, identified as Idris Aremu Agboluaje, a 400-level Business Education undergraduate, was said to have been denied entry into an examination hall for allegedly failing to present his student identity card, a mandatory requirement during tests.

Witnesses said Agboluaje hurriedly left the venue to pick up the card in a bid to meet up with his first-semester examination but was involved in a fatal road accident on his way back to campus.

The incident has stirred emotional reactions among students and professional bodies within the institution. In a condolence message, the Association of Business Educators of Nigeria (ABEN), KWASU chapter, described the development as “a painful and shocking loss” to the department and urged the university community to support the bereaved family.

As of the time of filing this report, the university management had yet to release an official statement confirming the circumstances surrounding the accident or addressing concerns raised by students. Efforts to obtain reactions from school authorities were unsuccessful.

Background

Most Nigerian universities enforce strict identification policies during examinations as part of efforts to curb impersonation and uphold academic integrity. However, student leaders across campuses have occasionally called for more flexible verification options, especially for final-year students facing high academic pressure.

The latest incident may renew debate over balancing institutional regulations with student welfare and safety, with some students already calling on the management to review procedures to prevent similar tragedies.

Observers expect the university to issue a formal response after internal verification, which could include condolences to the family and clarification of examination protocols.

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