Drastic changes have been made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or IRCC to the International Student Program. Canada’s Minister of Immigration announced several changes to the study permit program firstly, a two-year cap on the number of international students who are issued study permits.
1. Cap and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
As per most recent announcement, as of 8:30 am on January 22, 2024, most new post-secondary international students at the college or undergraduate level must provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from a province or territory with their study permit application. IRCC will return any application received that does not include a PAL, unless otherwise exempt. This attestation will serve as proof that the student has been accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation within the national cap.
International students whose applications were received by IRCC before 8:30 am on Jan 24, 2024, as well as those who have already been approved for a study permit and intend to travel to Canada for an upcoming program, do not need to take further action as a result of the cap.
Who needs a provincial attestation letter?
- most post-secondary study permit applicants
- most non-degree granting graduate programs (for example, certificate programs and graduate diplomas)
- anyone else not included in the exception below
Who does not need a provincial attestation letter?
- primary and secondary school students
- master’s or doctoral degree students
- visiting or exchange students
- in Canada study permit and work permit holders (include study permit holders applying for an extension)
- in Canada family members of study permit or work permit holders
- students whose application was received by IRCC before 8:30 am ET on January 22, 2024
As per Canada Gazette dated Feb 3, 2024, IRCC will accept study permit applications will not exceed 606 250 study permit applications for one year beginning Jan 22, 2024. Study permit applications that are within the scope of these instructions received by the Department after the maximum number of study permit applications has been reached will
not be accepted for processing and processing fees will be returned.
2. Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) update for graduate’s of master’s degree programs
Starting Feb 15, 2024, a longer 3-year post graduation work permit will be available to those who are graduating from a master’s degree program that is less than 2 years and who meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria.
The length of PGWP’s for programs other than master’s degrees will continue to align with the length of the study program, to a maximum of 3 years.
Who is eligible for longer post-graduation work permit (PGWP)?
-Graduates of programs that are at least two years in length at PGWP-eligible designated learning institutions are eligible for a 3-year PGWP, are graduates of master’s degree programs less than 2 years in length.
3. PGWP eligibility for public-private partnership college programs
Some provinces allow public colleges to license their curriculum to be delivered by an affiliated private college. In these cases, students physically attend a private college, but graduate with a diploma from a public institution. Concerns have been raised with regards to the quality of education provided by these institutions, as well as lack of sufficient supports.
As such, IRCC has made a change to restrict PGWP’s for these institutions, anticipating that without the ability to apply for a PGWP there will be a reduction in the number of international students enrolling in them.
Who is eligible for a PGWP after graduating from a public-private partnership college program?
- International students currently enrolled will remain eligible for a PGWP if they meet other program eligibility criteria.
Who is not eligible for a PGWP after graduating from a public-private partnership college program?
- New students enrolling in this type of program will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
4. Changes to open work permit eligibility for spouses
In the coming weeks, eligibility for open work permits for the spouses and common-law partners of international students will be updated.
Who can get an open work permit?
- Eligibility is limited to the spouses and common-law partners of students in graduate (master’s and doctorate) and professional degree-granting programs only. Once these changes are in effect, spouses and common-law partners of international students seeking to extend their existing work permit will continue to be eligible under this stream.
Who will not be eligible for an open work permit?
- The spouses and common-law partners of internationals students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible for an open work permit unless they already hold an open work permit under this stream.
If you have questions regarding the above article, you may contact Marjorie at [email protected]
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
A word of caution: You should not act or rely on the information provided in this column. It is not a legal advice. To ensure your interests are protected, retain, or formally seek advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing of CICC. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RCIC’s.
