Earlier, the Immigration and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a reform of the international student study permit, involving the cap on the number of international student study permits in 2024, as well as changes in the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) and spouse work permit applications. What impact do these initiatives have on students who are going to study in Canada? Detailed interpretation of Jinghong education!
Major reform 1: Set a limit on international student study visas
According to the latest policy, Canada** is expected to issue about 360,000 approved new study permits in 2024, a 35% decrease from the number issued in 2023. This temporary measure is for two years, and the number of new study permit applications accepted in 2025 will be reassessed by the end of this year.
Major reform 2: Provincial ** certification letter is required to apply for a study permit
From 8:30 a.m. on January 22, 2024, College or Undergraduate students must provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from a province or territory when applying for a study permit, and IRCC will refund any application that does not include a PAL, unless an exemption is met. The letter serves as proof that the student is allocated within the cap. Canada** has asked provinces or territories to have a process for PAL provincial certification letters by March 31, 2024, and Canada ** is working with Quebec on how to use CAQ as a PAL provincial certification letter.
Major Reform 3: Graduate Work Permit Policy
From 15 February 2024, a 3-year post-graduation work permit can also be applied for after graduation from a master's degree program with a course length of up to 2 years (the old policy was that graduates who had completed at least 2 years of study at the designated DLI were eligible to apply for a 3-year post-graduation work permit). The length of the post-graduation work permit for courses other than the master's degree will continue to be the same as the length of the course studied, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Major reform 4: Some international students in private colleges are unable to obtain work permits
International students who are currently enrolled in a public-private partnership college program are still eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit if they meet other qualifications for a post-graduation work permit. Students who apply for these programs are not eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
Major Reform 5: Adjustment of the requirements for spouse work permit applications
In the coming weeks, USCIS will adjust the conditions for obtaining a spouse's open work permit.
Conditions for applying for an open work permit for spouse]:
1) Spouses and common-law partners of students in master's, doctoral, and professional degree-granting programs only.
2) Once these changes come into effect, applicants who already held a spouse's work permit can still apply for renewal.
Not eligible for an open work permit for spouse]:
If an applicant is enrolled in an undergraduate and college program, his/her spouse is not eligible for an open work permit unless they already hold an open work permit under this category.
The new policy of setting a cap on the quota of Canada's study permit is mainly aimed at students who plan to enroll in undergraduate and college programs, and has no impact on students who currently hold study permits or renewals, as well as students who are studying in primary and secondary schools, master's and doctoral degrees. It is important to note that this is a temporary transitional policy that will be valid for 2 years, and the number of new study permit applications accepted in 2025 will be reassessed at the end of this year. The IRCC has now made a proposed allocation of quotas to provinces and territories.
On the other hand, IRCC has implemented the allocation of part of the quota to each province and region, so that the application of international students can be more matched to a certain extent, and the sustainable development of international student resources and educational resources in each province will be maintained. Therefore, for students who are going to apply to study abroad, it is recommended that you should accurately locate your personal background when applying, choose the right school and major, maximize the chance of obtaining a student signature, and pay attention to the details of the application materials.