On January 22, 2024, Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant changes to the International Student Stream that will have major impacts on prospective and current students in Canada. Some of the key changes announced in January and subsequently are as follows:
Cap on study permit applications
IRCC announced that the number of study permits to be approved in 2024 will be capped at 360,000, which is a 35% decrease from last year. They will also announce another cap for 2025 at the end of 2024. Each province will have its own cap on the number of new international students being enrolled in undergraduate programs, which will be based on the province's size and the number of international students in the province. This cap does not include Masters, PhD, elementary or secondary school students.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
IRCC announced that as of January 22, 2024, study permit applications must include a provincial attestation letter ("PAL" or "PALs") from the province. Each province has its own procedure for providing PALs. Saskatchewan is currently allocated 15,000 PALs to be distributed to international students in 2024.
No more spousal work permits for students, with exceptions
Only spouses of international students enrolled in master's doctoral, and professional programs are eligible for open work permits. Spouses of international students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, are not eligible.
Changes to Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility
IRCC initially announced that international students who begin a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for Post Graduate Work Permits ("PGWPs") upon graduation, as of September 1, 2024.
IRCC moved up this date to May 15, 2024, which means that international students who began this type of program on May 15, 2024, or later, will not be eligible for PGWPs when they graduate. The list of designated learning institutions in respect of which graduates are eligible for a PGWP can be found here.
This change in PGWP criteria does not prevent a graduate of one of these programs from applying for a different type of work permit upon graduation. A graduate may apply for a work permit supported by an employer's approved labour market impact assessment, for example.
Additionally, as of February 15, 2024, graduates of Master's degree programs are now eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit.
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