immigration
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Updates – September 18, 2024
On September 18, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)鈥痑nnounced鈥痑dditional changes to the International Student Program.鈥� These updates include the following key topics:
- In 2025, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) will be required for new graduate students,
- Starting November 1, 2024, a language proficiency requirement will be imposed on all post-graduation work permit (PGWP) applications; and
- Later this year, spouses and common-law partners of Masters students in programs less than 16 months, will no longer be eligible for an open work permit.
As we continue to wait for more details, we highly encourage you to closely monitor鈥� for the most up-to-date information. We will also keep updating our鈥疦ews and Updates page as additional details become available.
Study Permit Application
Projected timeline: 2025
IRCC announced that the intake cap on study permits will be further reduced by 10% in 2025. In addition, the cap for 2025-2026 will also include graduate students studying at a master鈥檚 and doctoral level, who were previously exempt in 2024.
Starting in 2025, most new post-secondary Master鈥檚 and PhD students applying for a study permit outside Canada will be required to include a鈥�痜rom the province or territory where they intend to study with their application to IRCC.鈥�
New & Returning Graduate Students for Spring 2025 and onwards
Master鈥檚 and PhD Students
If you have already submitted a study permit application to IRCC, you will not be required to submit a PAL. No action is needed on your part.
If you will submit a study permit application outside Canada in 2025, you will require a PAL. Please check back here later for more information on how to obtain your PAL.
Graduate Students pursuing a study program other than a degree program
If you will be studying in a graduate program that does not lead to a 丁香园AV degree (e.g. a prerequisite, certificate or diploma program), you require a PAL .
For information about how you will receive your PAL, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage.
丁香园AV New & Returning Undergraduate Students from Outside Canada
Unless exempted, you must include a PAL in your study permit application. For information on how to receive your PAL, visit our鈥�Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage.
For current 丁香园AV undergraduate and graduate students in Canada who need to extend a study permit:
You are not impacted by the above change and are still exempt from the PAL requirement.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
丁香园AV students who graduate from a Bachelor鈥檚, Master鈥檚, or a Doctoral degree program and who meet all of the will continue to remain eligible for a PGWP up to three years.
Starting November 01, 2024, the following two changes will come into effect for post-graduation work permit (PGWP) applications:
- A language proficiency requirement for all applicants; and
- A field of study requirement for certain non-degree programs
For more information, please visit the News & Updates page to learn the changes to the PGWP eligibility criteria.
Open Work Permit eligibility for Spouses and Common-law Partners of Study Permit Holders
Projected Timeline: Later in Fall 2024
Currently, spouses and common-law partners of certain full-time international students who meet the may apply for an open work permit under the .
Later this year, the open work permit eligibility will be limited. This means that spouses and common-law partners of Masters students in programs less than 16 months, will no longer be eligible to apply for an open work permit.
Further details will be provided by IRCC at a later date, and we will update this page when additional information is available.
Questions?
If you have questions,鈥�connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist鈥痜or assistance.鈥�
IRCC announcement
If you would like to review the recent Sep 18 IRCC announcement related to the International Student Program, you can find them linked below: