Written by: Sara Bahadori
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented new reform mechanisms for the International Student Program. These adjustments aim to address the unsustainable growth of the International Student Program while ensuring a positive experience for students and supporting Canada’s sustainable population growth and system integrity.
1. Cap and Provincial Attestation Letter
Effective January 22, 2024, most new post-secondary international students will be required to provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from a province or territory with their study permit application. This PAL serves as evidence that the student is accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation within the national cap. Applications received without a PAL will be returned, unless exempt.
Exemptions to this requirement include:
- 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; and
- students whose application was received by IRCC before 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024.
Provinces and territories are required to have a plan in place for issuing PALs by March 31, 2024.
2. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Update for Master’s Degree Graduates
Starting February 15, 2024, graduates of master’s degree programs that are less than two years in length will be eligible for a three-year PGWP, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria. In addition, individuals graduating from programs that are at least two years in length at PGWP-eligible designated learning institutions will also be eligible for a 3-year PGWP.
The length of PGWP for other programs, will continue to align with the length of the study program, up to a maximum of 3 years
3. PGWP Eligibility for Public-Private Partnership College Programs
To address concerns about the quality of education and student support in public-private partnership college programs, restrictions on PGWPs for these institutions have been implemented. While current international students enrolled in these programs remain eligible for a PGWP, new students enrolling in such programs will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
4. Changes to Open Work Permit Eligibility for Spouses
Updates to the eligibility criteria for open work permits for the spouses and common-law partners of international students are forthcoming. Under these changes, eligibility will be limited to spouses and partners of students in graduate and professional degree programs only. Spouses of students in undergraduate and college programs will no longer be eligible for an open work permit unless they already hold one under this stream.