In light of the recent announcement of a cap on the number of new international students receiving study permits, Canada has provided some additional information. Because of the changes to the regulations regarding post-graduate work permits and the recognition of provincial attestation letters, overseas students will be able to make more informed choices. This article tries to clarify a few things, such as who needs a provincial attestation letter and who doesn't, as well as who can and cannot get a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) after they graduate.
The government of Canada set a two-year intake cap for foreign student permit applications in January 2024. With the cap in place, the number of approved study permits is projected to drop 35% from 2023 to 2024, reaching approximately 360,000.
The majority of international students applying for a study permit at the undergraduate or postsecondary level will be required to submit a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from their home province or territory as of 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024. Without a PAL, applications will be returned by IRCC (Canada's immigration, refugee, and citizenship agency), unless an exception applies.
The student's national cap allocation under a provincial or territorial cap can be proven with this attestation. March 31, 2024 is the deadline for provinces and territories to have a plan for issuing PALs. Working together, the federal and provincial governments of Quebec and Quebec are exploring the potential of the Québec Certificate of Acceptance for Studies as a PAL.
The cap will not necessitate any further steps from international students whose applications reached IRCC prior to 8:30 a.m. on January 22, 2024, or from those who have previously obtained a study permit and intend to visit Canada for a forthcoming program.
