The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced several significant changes aimed at regulating the intake and experience of international students in Canada. These measures are designed to ensure sustainable growth, system integrity, and better support for students. Here are the key points:
Cap on International Student Permits
Starting January 22, 2024, IRCC will implement a cap on new international student permits, reducing the number to approximately 360,000 for 2024, a 35% decrease from the previous year. This cap will be in place for two years, with individual allocations for each province and territory based on population and current student numbers. Notably, the cap will not affect study permit renewals, and students pursuing master’s, doctoral, elementary, or secondary education are exempt.
Provincial Attestation Letter Requirement
New study permit applications must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) starting January 22, 2024. This requirement ensures that students are accounted for within provincial allocations. Provinces are expected to have processes for issuing these letters by March 31, 2024.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Changes
Several changes to the PGWP program have been announced:
- Graduates of master’s programs will now be eligible for a three-year work permit, even if their program is less than two years long.
- Starting September 1, 2024, students enrolled in programs delivered through public-private curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer be eligible for PGWPs.
- Current students in these public-private partnership programs remain eligible, but new enrollees will not be.
Changes to Open Work Permit Eligibility for Spouses
Eligibility for open work permits will be limited to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. Spouses of students in other programs, including undergraduate and college levels, will no longer be eligible unless they already hold an open work permit under the current criteria.
Enhanced Verification and Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Additional reforms include:
- Increased cost-of-living requirements for study permit applicants to reflect actual living costs and prevent student exploitation.
- Enhanced verification processes requiring post-secondary institutions to confirm acceptance letters directly with IRCC to prevent fraud.
Pathways to Permanent Residence
IRCC plans to continue developing clear pathways to permanent residence for international students with in-demand skills. This includes ongoing consultations with provinces, territories, and educational institutions to establish a sustainable and supportive framework for international students.
These measures aim to balance the benefits international students bring to Canada with the need to maintain system integrity and provide adequate support and resources to ensure their success.
For more detailed information, visit the official IRCC announcements here and here.