COVID-19 : Information for international students coming to Canada
By University Study
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to our way of life.
As you make your study plans for the future, Canada is here to welcome you. We look forward to welcoming you this fall and in future.
COVID-19 has not changed Canadian universities’ commitment to delivering a high-quality university education. The safety and wellbeing of students are our universities’ top priorities, and our professors and researchers are working to support international students to succeed.
Canada has also put in place flexible measures around travel, visa and work restrictions for international students during the pandemic.
Whether it be online, in-person or in a hybrid format, your educational experience in Canada will be world-class – and your degree, globally recognized.
NOTA: Universities Canada does not provide immigration advice. Please refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website for more information about coming to, and studying in, Canada as an international student.
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By Moira MacDonald
No kidding – there has been a whirlwind of changes to Canada’s study permit program for foreign nationals since late 2023. Among these is a limit over the next two years on the number of new study permit applications that the federal government will process as of Jan. 22, the date the change was announced. At the time of the announcement, the cap was expected to result in about 360,000 approved study permits, a 35 percent cut compared to 2023.
If you are a student from outside Canada who has had this country on your list of potential university study destinations, you likely have a lot of questions. “For students, question number one is, ‘Does Canada remain open?’ And the short answer is, ‘Yes,’” says Larissa Bezo, CEO of the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
However, after massive growth in this sector over the last decade and concerns about meeting the country’s obligations to international students, Canada’s federal immigration department said it had to step in to protect the system’s integrity and ensure students are treated fairly. No target for the processing of study permit applications in 2025 has been announced and the number is to be re-assessed at the end of 2024, the government said. This is the first time that a limit of this kind has been set by Canada.
“To be absolutely clear, these measures are not against individual international students,” Immigration Minister Marc Miller said at the Jan. 22 announcement. “They are to ensure that as future students arrive in Canada, they receive the quality of education that they signed up for and the hope that they were provided in their home countries.”
What does this mean for you, dear prospective international student? Sector experts say Canada remains a good bet for a quality university education that is well-recognized globally. But you should take some time to understand the details of the recent changes and how they affect you, including whether your planned course of study is even impacted by the cap. If it is, find out what the additional requirements are, including the all-important “provincial letter of attestation,” and what to expect around timing for the processing of your study permit application.
On to some myth-busting and question answering …
Is Canada banning visas for foreign students?
No. Canada’s immigration department is reducing the number of new study permits it will process for international students in 2024 and 2025. For 2024, it has set a limit or “cap” of processing 606,250 study permit applications for affected programs.
Are all incoming international students affected by the study permit cap?
No. International students pursuing master’s or doctoral studies, or those headed into elementary or secondary school programs are not included in the cap. Students who already have study permits and those seeking renewals are also not affected. Students coming to Canada for six months or less are not required to have a study permit and are also not included in the cap.
Are Canadian universities still interested in international students? Is it even worth trying to come to Canada?
Again, the answer is yes. Canadian universities are still very interested in having international students at every level. “Universities are still accepting applications from international students and now’s a great time to apply,” said Graham Barber, assistant director, international relations at Universities Canada, which advocates on behalf of Canadian universities. Graduate level students are not impacted at all by the study permit restrictions. This has been viewed by some immigration observers as a signal that Canada is particularly keen on students at this level of study. If you are in this category and have a letter of acceptance, there’s no need to delay your study permit application.
How will the cap affect my chances of getting a study permit and how will it be applied?
While fewer permits will be approved than last year, the cut brings the numbers close to where they were around 2022 (407,000 for all levels of study ), which remains substantial. Each of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories has been given a share of the 606,250 study permit applications that will be processed for the capped groups, based on their population. Each jurisdiction will then decide how it will distribute its share among universities, colleges and other affected “designated learning institutions.”
Significant cuts were expected for more in-demand provinces such as Ontario – 50 percent or more.. British Columbia reported an allocation of 83,000 study permit applications, below the 97,000 it saw in 2023. However, other provinces that have received less attention from international students in the past may have room to grow their study permit approvals under their allocations.
Has anything changed around the application for a study permit? What is this “letter of attestation” that I have been hearing about?
The biggest change is that every application for a permit under the cap now requires a provincial “letter of attestation” also known as a PAL. This PAL means that the application has been verified by a province or territory as falling within its study permit application limit, or allocation. Study permit applications for affected programs received after the Jan. 22 announcement must include this PAL. However, those students whose study programs are not covered by the cap – master’s, doctoral , elementary and secondary school programs – do not need a PAL in their study permit application.
A previous announcement by the immigration department also increased the proof-of-financial-support amount that all study permit applicants must provide. That amount is $20,635 per year, not including tuition, for a single person. This applies to all study permit applicants, regardless of whether or not they are covered by the cap.
Where can I get an attestation letter?
The best advice is to check with the university where you have applied or have been accepted for the most up-to-date information. Provinces and territories have until March 31 to develop their systems for issuing and managing these letters of attestation.
Quebec was already able to issue this document as of Feb. 13 by modifying its existing Certificat d’acceptation du Québec. CAQs issued before this date do not include the modification; an updated CAQ is required in this case if the application is submitted after Jan. 22. Alberta said its system was operational March 1 and British Columbia’s system began March 4. These provinces are issuing the letters of attestation to post-secondary institutions. The institutions then send them to international students. Where a province has not yet announced anything, “I would encourage [students] to be in direct conversation with the institution where they intend to study to get clarity in terms of timing, etc.,” said Larissa Bezo of CBIE. But be patient in the run-up to March 31 – “If an institution says ‘We don’t yet have that information as to when the [provincial letter of attestation] will be available,’ they sincerely mean they don’t have that information,” Bezo added.
I heard that under this cap, Canada will limit its intake of international students by country. Is that true?
The federal immigration department has responded that: “[a]ll study permit applications are assessed equally and against the same criteria, regardless of the country of origin.” Individual institutions do their own student recruitment and some have been trying in recent years to broaden the number of countries where students are coming from. However, it’s not clear how the cap will be applied by universities facing a cut in international student study permits.
I heard that certain programs will be favoured under the study permit cap, such as students in medical schools. Is that true?
Here’s what the federal immigration department has to say about that: “Medical schools are considered to be undergraduate programs or professional programs and would therefore not be exempt from the cap. Provinces and territories will determine how their allocation is shared among [their] designated learning institutions.” Setting priorities for how to distribute a province’s cap allocation would presumably only apply in high-demand provinces facing a study permit cut – Ontario, for example — but there is no information on that yet.
I submitted my application after January 22. It has been returned to me because I didn’t have a letter of attestation. Does that mean I am rejected?
The federal immigration department calls these applications “unprocessed” rather than rejected. Applicants can try again – just make sure all the required documents are there, including the letter of attestation if it applies to you.
I submitted my application for a study permit before January 22 but it was still being processed when the cap was brought in. How will this affect my application?
Those students who submitted their study permit applications before the Jan. 22 announcement do not need to take any further action as a result of the new requirements, the federal government has said. Their applications have continued to be processed, along with applications from international students whose programs are exempt from the cap.
I submitted an application for a study permit before January 22 but it was returned because I was missing a document. Do I have to include a letter of attestation when I re-apply?
Yes.
My study permit is ending this summer. Does that mean I will need to get a provincial attestation letter to renew my permit? Will the cap affect my ability to renew or extend my existing study permit?
I have been accepted into a university program for spring or summer 2024 but I still don’t have a study permit. What happens now?
If you did not apply for a study permit before the Jan. 22 announcement, this means you will be included in the cap (unless you fit one of the exemption categories mentioned already in this article), and you will have to get an attestation letter once they become available in the province where your university is located. Check with your university for more instructions. Bear in mind that study permit application processing time was running at about 10 weeks as of early March once all those documents are submitted, including the attestation letter. That does not include time to submit biometrics, if you are required to do that. The federal immigration department also says that processing times can vary depending on things such as how easily information can be verified.
Am I still eligible for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP)? I heard something about international students not being eligible for this anymore!
International students enrolled in Canadian university undergraduate and graduate programs remain eligible for PGWPs. As well, graduates of master’s degree programs that are eight months or longer are eligible for a three-year PGWP if they meet all other existing criteria, as of Feb. 15, 2024. What has changed is that new students enrolling in private college programs that have curriculum licensing agreements with public colleges are no longer eligible for PGWPs. International students at Canadian universities are not affected.
How does this affect my eligibility to work in Canada while I am at school ?
There have been no recent changes to international students’ ability to work in Canada during their studies. Consult the federal immigration department’s webpage for details. However, there have been changes affecting the ability of an international student’s spouse or common-law partner to work. Only spouses and common-law partners of international students in graduate and professional degree-granting programs (such as law, medicine, education, engineering ) will be eligible for open work permits.
If I am already in Canada on a visitor visa or work permit, do I need to provide a letter of attestation when I apply for a study permit?
Foreign nationals who are in Canada on a work permit do not need a PAL when applying for a study permit. Some categories of temporary residents are also exempt – but not all. Make sure to check the federal immigration department’s website for details so your study permit processing is not delayed.
In conclusion …
In the short-term, changes to Canada’s international student immigration policies do create confusion and anxiety for students and institutions alike. Nevertheless, there has been general consensus that changes were needed so that international students have as positive an experience as possible. “Each institution is trying to reassure students and applicants that we’ll get answers in time for them to make a decision and that we’re still a welcoming country in which to study,” said Annik Gélineau, chair of the Association of the University and College Registrars of Canada.
In the meantime dear international student, take a deep breath and carry on with pursuing your goals. It’s always wise to be clear about your motivations for choosing any study program and place, and how these match up with your interests and longer-term plans. “Get to your ‘why’s’ and then make a checklist,” advises Lou Janssen Dangzalan, an immigration lawyer and vice-president of Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association. “Make sure it aligns with your goals and with what’s available out in Canada.” Giving yourself options in terms of programs and universities is also a good strategy to follow for any student, adds Graham Barber of Universities Canada: “Make sure you’ve got a couple of programs in mind,” he says. “Keep your options open, apply early and make sure you’re checking all the boxes and meeting all the requirements.”
This document is prepared by Universities Canada and provides important information to help international students navigate recent changes to study permits in Canada. It covers various topics, including the new study permit cap, updated financial requirements, working hours, and documentation needed for study permit applications. Additionally, the document outlines new policies related to the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), post-graduate work permit eligibility, and spousal work permits. These updates aim to ensure students are informed and prepared to meet the requirements for studying and working in Canada.
Does the study permit cap affect my application to a university?
The study permit cap refers to the number of study permit applications that will be processed Canada. The cap does not affect the assessment of individual applications.
Proof of Funds
When applying for my study permit, do I need to provide proof of funds?
Starting January 1, 2024, international students, in all provinces except Quebec, must show proof of at least $20,635 CAD (for a single student) to cover one year of living expenses, in addition to the first year’s tuition and travel costs. For more information, see IRCC Financial Support Guidelines.
During full-time semesters, you can work up to 20 hours per week. You can work more than 1 job to make up these hours if you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit.
During regularly scheduled breaks in the school year, you are allowed to work an unlimited number of hours. However, to be eligible for full-time work during these breaks, you must be a full-time student both before and after the break.
On June 29, IRCC proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulation. One of the key changes includes increasing the allowed working hours for international students from 20 to 24 per week. However, these amendments are not yet in effect. For more information refer to: https://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2024/2024-06-29/html/reg1-eng.html.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
What is a provincial attestation letter (PAL)?
A provincial attestation letter (PAL) is required as part of the study permit application process and serves as proof that you, as an international student, are included in the institution’s allocation. PALs are issued by the university. PALs are issued to students by the institution; this means that the university will issue PALs to students.
The PAL is a new requirement by IRCC. Any study permit application received by IRCC on or after January 22, 2024, that does not include a PAL will be returned and refunded.
What is a Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ)?
The Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) is the Quebec equivalent of the PAL and is required for international students studying in Quebec. It is issued by the Quebec government and must be included in your study permit application. If you plan to study in Quebec, a CAQ replaces the PAL requirement.
Who requires a PAL?
Undergraduate Students: As of January 22, 2024, you must include a PAL with your study permit application.
Exception: Students enrolled in schools in Quebec in a vocational program that leads to one of the following:
a diploma of vocational studies (DVS)
an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS) or
a skills training certificate (STC)
Visiting students: As of January 22, 2024, most study permit applicants need to provide a PAL unless you meet one of the exemptions.
Note: On September 18, IRCC announced new measures to include graduate international students in the cap for 2025. However, this measure is not yet in effect. For more information please visit: IRCC September 18, 2024 announcement.
When do I submit my PAL?
Unless you meet one of the exemptions, you must submit a PAL
with your study permit application, not after
even if you’re applying for a prerequisite course or program, including language courses or programs
for each study permit applicant, even if you’re applying as a family and submitting your applications together
Students applying to post-secondary institutions in Quebec will need to follow the process outlined here to obtain their Certificat d’acceptation du Québec and correctly submit their study permit application.
Am I guaranteed a study permit if I receive a PAL?
Receiving a PAL does not guarantee study permit approval. study permit applicants must still meet all the requirements for a study permit to be issued.
I submitted a study permit application to IRCC with the PAL I received. My study permit application was denied. Do I need a new PAL when I reapply for a study permit?
If your study permit application to IRCC is denied, you can reapply for a study permit using this same PAL until the PAL expires.
Letter of Acceptance (LOA) verification process
What is the LOA verification process?
Applicants must submit a LOA from a DLI as part of their study permit application. The institution will verify the LOA directly with IRCC as part of the application process. This process is called the LOA verification process.
Students are not required to complete any additional steps to initiate the LOA verification process. Please note that the LOA Verification process and the PAL process are different.
How is the PAL different from the LOA verification process?
The PAL process and the LOA Verification process are two different processes.
The provincial government administers the PAL process, while IRCC handles the LOA verification. Both are required as part of a study permit application. If you are not exempt from the PAL requirement, you must obtain a PAL before submitting your study permit application.
IRCC is responsible for administering the LOA Verification process. Students are not required to take additional steps to initiate this process.
I’m applying for my study permit through the Study Direct Stream (SDS). Do I still need a PAL?
Yes. Starting January 22, 2024, all study permit applications submitted through SDS will require a PAL.
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
What are the new requirements for current international students and recent graduates applying for a PGWP?
If you graduated from a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program
Language requirements: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
Field of study requirement: All fields of study are eligible. There is no additional field of study requirement.
Program length requirement: If you’re attending a DLI in Quebec, your program must be 900 hours or longer. If you’re attending a DLI in Canada but outside of Quebec, your program must be 8 months or longer.
If you graduated from any other university program
Language requirements: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
Program length requirement: If you’re attending a DLI in Quebec, your program must be 900 hours or longer. If you’re attending a DLI in Canada but outside of Quebec, your program must be 8 months or longer.
Can my spouse or common-law partner work while I study in Canada?
According to the September 18, 2024 IRCC announcement, your spouse’s eligibility for an open work permit depends on when the application was submitted.
If your spouse or common-law partner applied for an open work permit before March 19, 2024, they may be eligible for an open work permit if the following requirements are met:
If your spouse or common-law partner applied for an open work permit on or after March 19, 2024, they may be eligible if you hold a valid study permit and are:
studying in a master’s or doctoral degree program at a university, or
completing one of the following professional degree programs at a university:
* Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
* Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
* Doctor of Medicine (MD)
* Doctor of Optometry (OD)
* Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
* Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
* Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
Gain valuable work experience and supplement your spending allowance with part-time student jobs for international students. While you must supply sufficient evidence that you can pay for your tuition and living expenses before you arrive in Canada, there are a number of work permit programs for international students and their spouses/common law partners that make working in Canada possible. Working in Canada can go a long way towards helping you establish business contacts for the future and can even help you immigrate after graduation.
Working off-campus
The Off-Campus Work Permit Program authorizes you to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks (for example, winter and summer holidays, and spring break).
Co-op/internships
The Co-op/Internship Work Permit Program is available to international students whose intended employment is an essential part of their program of study in Canada as certified by their Canadian academic institution. The work portion of this program can form up to 50 percent of the program of study.
On-campus work opportunities
International students who hold valid study permits and who are studying full time at eligible Canadian public and private universities or colleges may also be eligible to work on-campus at the institution where they study without a work permit.
More information on work opportunities for international students
