If you are an international student planning to study in Canada, here is some information for you.
On January 22, 2024, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Mr. Marc Miller, announced a series of new measures aimed at stabilizing the growth of international students in Canada and imposing a cap on the number of study permits to be issued in 2024.
For 2024, the expected cap is only around 360,000 study permits approved, a decrease of 35% compared to 2023. IRCC will allocate a portion of this cap to each province and territory, then provinces and territories will allocate their allocated portion to their designated educational institutions (Colleges, Universities).
As part of these measures, international students in specific programs now need to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), and submit this letter along with their study permit application to Canada. Provinces and territories are expected to establish a process to issue PALs to students by March 31, 2024.
Who needs a PAL?
- Most applicants for study permits after high school
- Most post-secondary non-degree programs (e.g., university certificate programs and post-secondary diplomas from colleges and universities)
Who doesn’t need a PAL?
- Elementary and high school students
- Master’s or doctoral students
- Students coming to or on exchange in Canada studying at designated educational institutions
- Study permit holders working in Canada (including those applying for permit extensions)
- Family members of study or work permit holders
- Students with registration received before 8:30 am EST on January 22, 2024
PAL Issuance Notices from Provinces
Provinces and territories have complied with these measures, and here is the information and process designated to request Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) in each province and territory as of March 29, 2024.
Ontario
As of March 28, 2024, the PAL process for Ontario has been established.
Ontario will allocate 96% of study permit applications to public colleges and universities and the remaining 4% to Ontario’s language schools, private universities, and other institutions. Colleges of applied arts and technology will not receive any applications.
Applications will be allocated to educational institutions based on the following criteria:
Priority to programs in high-demand fields such as skilled trades, health human resources, STEM, hospitality, and child care. Not to exceed the number of applications from the institution in 2023. Study permit issuance rates not to exceed 55% (except for high-demand fields) of the institution’s highest in-residence enrollment in 2023. 22/23 public universities will continue to accept international students at the rate accepted in 2023 – except Algoma University. 11/24 public colleges in Ontario will continue to accept international students at the rate accepted in 2023.
To obtain a PAL to study in Ontario, students should contact the admissions office of the Ontario post-secondary institution they have accepted an offer from and plan to enroll.
British Columbia
As of March 4, 2024, the PAL process for British Columbia has been established.
BC announced that they will issue a total of 83,000 study permits for international students to attend university from IRCC. The province noted that based on the previous acceptance rate, about 50,000 study permit applications will be approved for 2024. This is a decrease from 97,000 study permit applications approved last year. 53% of PALs will go to public post-secondary DLIs and the remaining 47% will go to private institutions.
Provincial Attestation Letters will be sent from the province of British Columbia to educational institutions, then from educational institutions to international candidates. This letter will serve as evidence that the candidate has been considered within the maximum set by the federal government.
Alberta
As of March 1, 2024, the PAL process for Alberta has been established.
The province of Alberta has stated that when submitting a study permit application to study in Alberta, you must accompany it with an acceptance letter from a designated university, along with a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). These two documents are required to submit a study permit application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Post-secondary institutions will require a Provincial Attestation Letter on behalf of accepted students in Alberta. Students are encouraged to contact the registration office of the educational institution they have accepted to get assistance or more information.
New Brunswick
As of March 18, 2024, the PAL process for New Brunswick has been established. After the federal government set a limit of 360,000 for the number of international students who can study in Canada next year, the allocation for New Brunswick is 5,580.
Some schools in New Brunswick are currently increasing the amount of the deposit for international students to ensure enrollment rates. For example, international students applying to the University of Moncton now have to deposit CAD 4,000 – 8,000. The deposit fee is required as part of the Provincial Attestation Letter process at these educational institutions.
Saskatchewan
As of March 13, 2024, the PAL process for Saskatchewan has been established. Saskatchewan has been allocated approximately 12,000 PALs to issue to potential international students in 2024. The province has also begun issuing provincial attestation letters to post-secondary DLIs allowed on March 13, 2024.
Students must first apply to the educational institution of their choice and receive a letter of acceptance (LOA). If you have been accepted, the school will notify the Ministry of your acceptance. The Saskatchewan government will then issue a PAL through an automated system, notifying students when the PAL is ready.
Manitoba
As of March 4, 2024, the PAL process for Manitoba has been established. Like other provinces, PALs in Manitoba will be provided through DLIs across the province.
International students wanting a PAL from the Manitoba provincial government may also have to pay a deposit to the educational institution they choose before the school can apply for a PAL on their behalf. For example, the official website of the University of Manitoba states that the school will require a non-refundable fee deposit of “CAD 2,000 paid by credit card” before applying for a PAL on behalf of the student. This deposit must be paid within 10 business days from the decision made about the student’s application.
Newfoundland and Labrador
As of March 19, 2024, the PAL process for Newfoundland and Labrador has been established. Like other provinces, PALs in Newfoundland and Labrador will be provided through DLIs across the province.
Memorial University has stated that they will “contact admitted students via email to collect any additional information needed for the attestation letter application process” starting with students intending to start in the May 2024 semester. This is the province’s largest university.
Prince Edward Island
As of March 27, 2024, the PAL process for Prince Edward Island has been established.
Under the new measures, PEI’s Minister of Advanced Learning – Jenn Redmond, stated that the province has been informed it can admit up to 2,000 new students across all its educational institutions. The province will allocate most PALs to the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), potentially admitting up to 1,185 international students; 710 spots for Holland College; and 105 for the French-language Collège de l’Île.
The new system requires post-secondary institutions to notify the government of each potential international student who has applied to study on the Island. Subsequently, the Ministry will provide each school with an attestation letter to send to potential students.
Holland College and UPEI are also increasing the tuition deposit for international students. Both institutions have stated that they are increasing the tuition deposit from CAD 1,000 – 5,000.
Nova Scotia
As of March 28, 2024, the PAL process for Nova Scotia has been established.
The number of study permit applications for Nova Scotia in 2024 is 12,900, a decrease of about 7,000 from last year. PALs will be allocated to 32 designated educational institutions as follows:
11,565 for 10 universities and colleges Nova Scotia Community College 710 for private vocational colleges 526 for 9 language schools.
The province will reserve 99 spots for unforeseen circumstances and new programs.
With this, educational institutions may request attestation letters from the Province for first-year international students they have accepted. The confirmation letter stating that the student is within the quota must be submitted with the study permit application from the federal government.
Quebec
If you wish to study in Quebec, you need a Confirmation of Acceptance Letter (CAQ) issued by the Quebec Government.
Since February 13, 2024, MIFI has issued an Updated Confirmation Letter confirming the issuance of the CAQ – Certificat d’acceptation du Québec for study programs.
This letter allows applicants to submit study permit applications, as instructed by the federal government, issued since January 22, 2024. At this time, no further action is required from the applicant or the institution.
If you received a confirmation letter for study programs from MIFI before February 13, 2024, you need a new confirmation letter to submit with your study permit application.
