Canada Announced key International Student Program reforms Applicable in 2024

1. Cap and provincial attestation letter

Starting January 22, 2024, the majority of new post-secondary international students applying at the college or undergraduate level are needed to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from a province or territory with their study permit application. Applications received by IRCC without a PAL will be returned, unless they fall under an exemption.

International students who submitted their applications to IRCC prior to January 22, 2024, as well as those who have already received approval for a study permit and are preparing to travel to Canada for an approaching program, are not required to take any further action due to the enactment of the cap.

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Canada has announced Cap on International Study Permits -Likely to Accept 360,000 study permits in 2024

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 list below

Who doesn’t 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 (includes study permit holders applying for an extension)
• in-Canada family members of study permit or work permit holders
• students whose application IRCC received before 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024

Also read- Study in Canada: Colleges, Scholarships, Fees, Courses

2. Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) update for graduates of master’s degree programs

Recognizing the potential of graduates from master’s degree programs to shine in Canada’s job market and possibly transition to permanent residency, IRCC have revised the duration of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This adjustment allows them ample time to accumulate the necessary Canadian work experience required for their PR application.

Starting from February 15, 2024, a longer PGWP of 3 years will be accessible to graduates from master’s degree programs lasting less than two years, provided they fulfil all other PGWP eligibility criteria. The duration of PGWPs for programs other than master’s degrees will stay aligned with the length of the study program, up to a maximum of 3 years.

Also read- Extended Post-Graduation Work Permits Now Available for Master’s Students in Canada

Who is eligible for a longer post-graduation work permit (PGWP)?

• Graduates of programs that are at least 2 years in length at PGWP-eligible designated learning institutions are eligible for a 3-year PGWP, as are graduates of master’s degree programs less than 2 years in length.

3. PGWP eligibility for public-private partnership college programs

Certain provinces allow public colleges to license their curriculum for delivery by affiliated private colleges. In such cases, students physically attend a private college however, get a diploma from a public institution. Worries have surfaced regarding the quality of education offered by these institutions, along with inappropriate student support services. The Auditor General of Ontario has also underlined concerns regarding the lack of oversight concerning program quality and student services at these institutions.

As a result, IRCC has implemented a change to limit Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) for these institutions. This measure anticipates that by limiting access to PGWPs, there will be a decrease 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 presently enrolled will stay 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 weeks to come, eligibility for open work permits for the spouses and common-law partners of international students in Canada will be updated.

Also read- Canada is making Changes to open work permit eligibility for spouses of international students

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 employed, 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 international students in other levels of study, comprising undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible for an open work permit except to the fact that they already hold an open work permit under this stream.

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For the most recent immigration updates and to initiate your immigration process to Canada in 2024 with the assistance of a reliable visa consultant, feel free to reach out to Visas Avenue Canada migration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar