Additional information – Canada International Student Program

on February 5, 2024— additional information was provided to clarify the announcement of the cap on new international study permit applications and other changes made on 22 January 2024.

The further announcement will help clarify the attestation letter and postgraduate work permit eligibility criteria.

Cap and provincial attestation letter

As per the announcement on January 22, 2024, international students at the college or undergraduate level must provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from a province or territory when they submit the study permit application.

As per the cap announcement for decreasing the number of study permits issued to 35%, a maximum of 606 250 study permit applications will be processed for one year.

This attestation letter will prove the student has been accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation within the national cap. IRCC asked the provinces and territories to have a plan prepared for issuing the PALs by March 31, 2024. However, there is no clarity on how the certificate d’acceptation du Québec pour études could serve as a PAL. The Government of Canada is working with the Government of Quebec to determine the process.

The IRCC also made clear that the students who have already been approved for the study permit and are planning to travel to Canada to join their program, or the visa applications that were received by IRCC before 8:30 a.m. on January 22, 2024, do not need to take further action as a result of the cap.

What is a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?

A provincial attestation letter is a letter written and signed by a provincial or territorial government confirming that an applicant has a space within the provincial or territorial allocation for study permit applications. It must include the following information about the foreign national:

Full name,
Date of birth, and
(lettre d’attestation provinciale)

Who needs a provincial attestation letter?

Post-secondary study permit applicants
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
Student study permit applications received before 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024

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

It was recognized that students who are studying for master’s are excellent candidates to succeed in Canada’s labour market and be potential permanent resident candidates. In order to provide master’s students with an opportunity to meet the required work experience in order to apply for permanent residence, a long three-year postgraduation work permit will be available to students who finish their master’s degree in less than 2 years in length.

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

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

PGWP eligibility for public-private partnership college programs

Starting September 1, 2024, International students who will study at private colleges that are part of the public college curriculum will no longer be eligible for the postgraduate work permit. To be eligible for the PGWP, the students should apply and study at public colleges or DLI universities in Canada.

The change was announced to provide quality education to the international students.

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.

To further clarify “If the student began a program of study at a private college being delivered on behalf of a public college in the same province before September 1, 2024, they may be eligible for a PGWP. The student must also meet all other program eligibility criteria.

If the student began a program of study at a private college being delivered on behalf of a public college in another province on or before January 31, 2023, they may be eligible for a PGWP. The student must also meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria.

Who is not eligible for a PGWP after graduating from a public-private partnership college program?

New students enrolling in Public Private Partnership colleges to study further will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.

To further clarify “If the student begins a program of study at a private college being delivered on behalf of a public college in the same province on or after September 1, 2024, you will not be eligible for a PGWP.”

If you began a program of study at a private college being delivered on behalf of a public college in another province on, or after February 1, 2023, you’re not eligible for a PGWP.

Changes to open work permit eligibility for spouses

The IRCC will also update the eligibility criteria for the open work permits for the spouses and common-law partners of international students.

Who can get an open work permit?

As per the announcement, the eligibility is limited to the spouses and common-law partners of students in graduate (master’s and doctorate) and professional degree–granting programs only.

The spouses and common-law partners of international students who are already in Canada and seeking to extend their existing work permits 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, 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.

For more clarity on the announcement and benefit to you as and international student contact Career Abraod: