The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship just announced today that major changes will be made to the International Students permit applications.
Major Changes:
There will be a cap of approximately 360,000 approved study permits for 2024;
That cap will be distributed equitably amongst Canada’s provinces and territories. Each has been given a portion of the cap, weighted by population. For example, Ontario has been given more of the approved study permits cap than Saskatchewan, because Ontario has a larger population;
Each province and territory will then distribute a portion of their cap among their Designated Learning Institutions (DLI);
As of today, January 22, 2024, every study permit application submitted to IRCC will also require an “Attestation Letter” from a province or territory. [Provinces and Territories are expected to establish a process for issuing attestation letters to students by no later than March 31, 2024.];
Starting September 1, 2024, international students who begin a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a Postgraduate Work Permit upon graduation;
Graduates of master’s and other short graduate-level programs will soon be eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit;
Soon, Open Work Permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. The spouses of international students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.
