High School in Québec: The Smart, PAL-Exempt Pathway to Canada in 2026

Canada’s new 2026 international student cap has completely changed the game for post-secondary admissions. While many college and university applicants must fight for limited PAL/TAL-required seats, K–12 students have a dedicated, protected stream.

According to IRCC’s 25 November 2025 announcement, Canada plans to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, with

115,000 permits reserved for primary and secondary (K–12) students – fully PAL/TAL-exempt
49,000 permits for master’s and doctoral students at public institutions – also PAL/TAL-exempt

That means high school in Canada is now one of the most secure and stable ways for families to enter the Canadian system, long before the college/university crunch.

MakeStudy™ and Collège Royal du Québec are leveraging this policy shift to build a low-risk, high-value pathway for Grades 9–11 students who want a long-term future in Canada.

Why K–12 is a Game Changer Under the 2026 Cap

1. PAL/TAL-Exempt = No Competition with Capped Seats

K–12 students do not use up the provincial capped allocation under the new international student cap. Their permits sit in a separate, exempt cohort of 115,000 study permits.

This gives families:

A more predictable chance of approval
Less exposure to sudden provincial allocation cuts
A clean route into Canada that does not depend on limited PAL/TAL slots

2. Earlier Integration, Stronger Outcomes

Starting in Grade 9–11 in Québec allows students to:

Master English and/or French in a real academic setting
Build a Canadian transcript before applying to college or university
Adapt socially and culturally while still young
Compete as domestic-style applicants later, instead of arriving late into a capped system

3. Direct Pathway to Post-Secondary and University

A Canadian high school diploma from Québec gives students a powerful advantage when applying to:

Public CEGEPs and colleges
Universities across Québec and the rest of Canada
Programs that will increasingly prioritize Canadian-educated students in the capped environment

High School in Québec – Program Highlights

Location & Delivery

Province: Québec, Canada
Institution: Collège Royal du Québec
Levels: Grades 9–11 (Secondary – Second Cycle)
Languages of instruction: English and French

Academic Experience

Strong focus on core subjects: mathematics, languages, social sciences, digital literacy
Options for French-first, English-first or bilingual learning paths
Support for students coming from English, French or Spanish-speaking backgrounds

Financial & Visa Advantages for Families

No Application Fee + No Registration Fee (Promotional Offer)

For partners and families onboarded through MakeStudy™ campaigns:

Application fee: waived
Registration fee: waived
No hidden admin charges during the admission stage

No Tuition Deposit Before Visa Approval

To keep the process low-risk for families:

No tuition fee deposit is required to obtain:
- The Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
- The visa support / guardianship support letter
All tuition fees are paid only after the study permit (visa) is approved

This structure directly addresses concerns in many markets where families fear losing large deposits if a visa is refused.

Guardianship, Safety & Support

High school students need more than just a classroom—they need structure, safety and trusted adults.

Guardianship support letter provided for visa files
In many cases, parents are allowed to accompany the student, offering an even stronger sense of security
Guidance on homestay or supervised lodging options depending on the family’s choice
Continuous support around well-being, adaptation and academic success

Who Is This Pathway Ideal For?

This high school route is especially powerful for:

Students aged roughly 14–17 aiming for long-term life and studies in Canada
Families from French-speaking countries who value Québec’s Francophone environment
English-speaking students who want to add French bilingual skills for future careers
Spanish-speaking students seeking a trilingual advantage (Spanish–English–French)
Agents and schools looking to de-risk Canadian recruitment under the new cap regime

How the Pathway Works – Step-by-Step

Step 1 – Partner & Student Profiling

Education agents, schools and counsellors connect with MakeStudy™
We review the student’s age, grade, language background and academic history

Step 2 – Conditional Admission & Fee Waivers

Student receives conditional admission to high school in Québec
Application and registration fees are waived under the current promotion

Step 3 – Letter of Acceptance & Visa Support

After document verification, the school issues:
- Official Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
- Guardianship support letter
Family prepares the study permit application, benefiting from the K–12 PAL/TAL-exempt status

Step 4 – Pay Tuition Only After Visa Approval

Once the visa is approved, the family pays the agreed tuition fees
MakeStudy™ and the school finalize arrival, guardianship and settlement plans

Step 5 – Long-Term Pathway to College/University

Student progresses through Québec high school
With a Canadian high school record, they can apply to:
- CEGEPs, colleges and universities in Québec
- Institutions across Canada, including many listed on MakeStudy™ partner networks such as:
  - MakeStudy™ Canada Partner Colleges: https://www.makestudy.com/canada/partner-colleges

For Agents & Schools – Why Work With MakeStudy™ on K–12?

Aligns perfectly with IRCC’s 2026 priorities where K–12 and graduate cohorts are favoured and protected
Diversifies your portfolio away from heavily capped college/undergrad segments
Builds longer student lifecycles: high school ? college ? university ? work permits and beyond
Transparent no-deposit-before-visa policy builds trust with parents
Central support from MakeStudy™ on applications, documentation and communication

Sample FAQ Section

Is this K–12 high school route affected by the 2026 PAL/TAL cap?

No. IRCC has earmarked 115,000 permits for primary and secondary (K–12) students, and this cohort is exempt from PAL/TAL requirements and does not count against the capped allocation.

Can students study in English only, or is French mandatory?

Families can choose English, French or a bilingual track, depending on the student’s starting level and long-term goals. Québec offers a rich Francophone environment, but pathways exist for both Anglophone and Francophone learners.

Can a parent accompany the student?

In many cases, a parent or legal guardian can accompany the student under appropriate visa categories. MakeStudy™ and the school provide documentation and guidance to support this.

What happens after Grade 11 or 12?

Students can transition into:

Québec CEGEP or college programs
Universities in Québec or other provinces
Other partner schools across Canada supported via MakeStudy™

For Parents & Students

Ready to explore a PAL-exempt, low-risk pathway to Canada’s education system?

Visit: Our Partner Colleges | MakeStudy
Email: deepak@makestudy.com | agents@makestudy.com
WhatsApp / Call: +91 9417895836

For Education Agents & School Counsellors

Become a partner for Canadian high school recruitment in Québec and gain access to:

Application & registration fee waivers
No-deposit-before-visa model
Direct coordination with school and guardianship services

High School in Québec – PAL-Exempt Pathway to Canada in 2026 | MakeStudy™