CHANGES IN JANUARY 2024

Canada decreases the number of new international student permits issued to approximately 360,000 for 2024

January 22, 2024

Navigating New Challenges: Understanding Canada’s Recent Changes in International Student Policies

The details of the changes are below. However, it’s crucial to understand these changes and how they might affect your plans to study in Canada. 

While the new regulations may seem daunting,  I encourage you not to lose sight of your goals.

1. Intake Cap on Study Permits

Canada has introduced a temporary cap on international student permits for 2024, limiting the number to approximately 360,000. 

This is a reduction of 35% compared to the previous year. While this might sound alarming, remember, it’s a temporary measure. It’s essential to plan ahead and prepare strong applications to fall within this cap.

2. Provincial and Territorial Limits

Each Canadian province and territory will have its own cap based on population size. This means provinces traditionally popular with international students may have tighter restrictions. 

Diversifying your choices and considering less popular destinations could increase your chances of acceptance.

3. Exemptions and Renewals

The good news is that study permit renewals and students pursuing graduate programs including Masters, Doctorates, and Elementary/Secondary education are exempt from these caps. 

So if you’re aiming for graduate programs or are already studying in Canada, these changes may not impact you.

4. Attestation Letter Requirement

Beginning January 22, 2024, all study permit applications must include an attestation letter from a province or territory. This new step emphasizes the importance of meeting all application requirements precisely.

5. Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) Changes

Significant changes are coming to the PGWP program, particularly affecting graduates from public-private institution models. If you’re considering such institutions, it’s time to rethink your strategy and perhaps focus on programs that still qualify for PGWP.

These changes are a reminder of the dynamic nature of immigration policies.

We understand these updates may be overwhelming, but with the Canada Japa System, we are committed to providing you with current, reliable information to navigate these changes successfully.

 Our goal remains to equip you with knowledge and strategies to achieve your dreams.

Stay Positive and Proactive

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January 22, 2024—Ottawa (Details Of The New Changes)

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced today that the Government of Canada will set an intake cap on international student permit applications to stabilize new growth for a period of two years. For 2024, the cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35% from 2023.

In the spirit of fairness, individual provincial and territorial caps have been established, weighted by population, which will result in much more significant decreases in provinces where the international student population has seen the most unsustainable growth. Study permit renewals will not be impacted. Those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, and elementary and secondary education are not included in the cap. Current study permit holders will not be affected.

IRCC will allocate a portion of the cap to each province and territory, who will then distribute the allocation among their designated learning institutions. To implement the cap, as of 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.

These temporary measures will be in place for two years, and the number of new study permit applications that will be accepted in 2025 will be re-assessed at the end of this year. During this period, the Government of Canada will continue to work with provinces and territories, designated learning institutions and national education stakeholders on developing a sustainable path forward for international students, including finalizing a recognized institution framework, determining long-term sustainable levels of international students and ensuring post-secondary institutions are able to provide adequate levels of student housing.

In order to better align the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, we are changing the eligibility criteria:

• 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 post­graduation work permit upon graduation. Under curriculum licensing agreements, students physically attend a private college that has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college. These programs have seen significant growth in attracting international students in recent years, though they have less oversight than public colleges and they act as a loophole with regards to post-graduation work permit eligibility.

• Graduates of master’s and other short graduate-level programs will soon be eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit. Under current criteria, the length of a post­graduation work permit is based solely on the length of an individual’s study program, hindering master’s graduates by limiting the amount of time they have to gain work experience and potentially transition to permanent residence.

In the weeks ahead, 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.

The important measures announced today complement other recently announced reforms to the International Student Program. Taken together, they aim to ensure genuine students receive the support they require and have the resources they need for an enriching study experience in Canada, while at the same time stabilizing the overall number of students arriving and alleviating pressures on housing, health care and other services in Canada.

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