International students are a great part of Canada’s diversified community and economy. The Government imposed a two-year cap on new international study permit applications in 2024 to curb unsustainable population growth. This gap ensures that Canada improves its education system integrity for international students and provides them with a positive experience here. Besides this, here are some other crucial changes for international students in 2024.
What Changes Should International Students Expect in 2024?
The Canadian government brought forth changes in post-graduate work permits, open work permits and study permit processes. All reforms focus on making things easier for both international students and Canada. Let’s study each reform below.
Two-year cap and attested letter
The government limits the number of approved study permit applications for two years (2024-2026). This ensures that only the most deserving get the opportunity to study and pursue a career in Canada.
The new update also requires international students to submit a provincial attestation letter along with their study permit application. This is applicable to new post-secondary students at the undergraduate or college level. IRCC will not accept any application if it doesn’t have the attestation letter.
The DLI provides eligible students with the letter keeping the cap on approved study permits in mind. The letter acts as proof that the student has been accepted within the national cap. The territories and provinces are yet to come up with a plan for the attestation letters by 31st March 2024.
Do you need the provincial attestation letter?
You need the letter if you are:
Enrolled in a non-degree granting graduate program
A post-secondary study permit applicant
Interested in applying for a study permit in 2024
However, you don’t need a letter if you are:
Master’s or doctorate students
Primary and secondary school students
Study and work permit holders residing in Canada
Exchange students
Among those who submitted their applications before 8.30 am on 22nd January 2024
A family member of work permit or study permit holder
The new reform does not apply to students already approved for the study permit or who submitted their applications before 22nd January 2024.
PGWP extension
IRCC announced an extension to the post-graduation work permit from 15th February 2024. International students graduating from a master’s degree program are eligible for a 3-year post-graduation work permit from the said date.
The extension is an attempt to encourage qualified international students to live and work in Canada. The current labour market here needs graduates of master’s degree programs hence the change in PGWP’s length.
What are the eligibility criteria for the 3-year PGWP?
You must be a graduate of programs with a length of at least two years from PGWP-eligible DLIs to be able to leverage the extension. If eligible, you can earn the required Canadian work experience and apply for permanent residence in the future.
Public-private partnership college program
This program enables public colleges of specific provinces to license their curriculum and get them delivered by an affiliated private college. So, students attend a private college but they get a diploma certificate from a public institution upon graduation.
The government discussed some of the crucial downfalls of this program. For instance, they are worried about the quality of education, student services and student support.
Hence, they restricted PGWPs for the institutions that run the program. International students will not be able to apply for PGWP if they enroll in these institutions. However, you remain eligible for a PGWP if you were enrolled before the announcement.
Open work permit for spouses
The open work permit eligibility also changes for spouses and common-law partners of international students.
Who is eligible for an open work permit?
Spouses and common-law partners of international students enrolled in professional degree-granting, master’s and doctorate programs are eligible for the open work permit.
The eligible candidates are also eligible to extend their existing work permit under this stream.
Who is not eligible for an open work permit?
International students enrolled in other levels of study such as undergraduate or college programs are not eligible for the open work permit.
Wrapping Up,
The two-year cap on international study permit applications aims to improve the quality of the education system and support in Canada. The other changes include submitting an attestation letter along with the application and extending the PGWP and open work permit for spouses of international students. While you may find it confusing to navigate through the reforms, a licensed consultant can make things easier for you.
The Immigration Minister announced a two-year cap on the study permit approvals in 2024. This new update intends to curb international admission fraud. The DLIs will also need an attestation letter attached to your study permit applications to ensure only the top-qualified ones get the chance.
Thus, it is now even more important to get the process right so you can increase your study permit chances. This blog covers some of the most common queries most students have regarding the new updates. You can prepare yourself better for the cumbersome application process this year.
Let’s begin.
When will the new changes be effective?
The Government made the announcement on 22nd January, 2024. All changes have been implemented from that day itself. Territories and provinces, however, have not finalized the process of issuing attestation letters yet. They need to do so by 31st March.
Besides these, only 360,000 applications will get through this year as per the new update.
Can I submit my study permit application by 31st March?
It is not yet clear when students can submit their applications. That’s because territories and provinces have not come up with the final timeframe. So, you need to wait and keep an eye on the current events.
Will the changes impact me if I already have a letter of acceptance?
The new changes are applicable to every international student applying for the study permit before 22nd January 2024. So, let’s say you got your letter of acceptance from a DLI but you have not applied for the study permit before 22nd January 2024. In that case, the new changes are applicable to you.
Is the cap on study permit approvals permanent?
No, at the time of writing, the government put a two-year cap on study permit approvals to curb the exploitation of international students. It begins in 2024 and ends in 2026. In 2024, only 3,60,000 applications will be approved. The numbers may vary in the coming years based on population growth and the condition of the existing student community.
Are there any exceptions to these changes?
The exceptions are:
If you are applying to renew or extend your study permits
If you are applying to be a part of a post-graduate, PhD or Masters program
Kids applying for primary or secondary school
What about the approval if I change my institute in 2024?
It is still unclear what you can do about the study permit approvals if you change your DLIs in the coming year. You can keep an eye on the news or ask a licenced consultant to guide you through the process to save time.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program or OINP brings good news for international students who have completed a year of college program. The update is applicable to the International Student Stream under the Employer Job Offer category. IRCC expanded the eligibility requirements for international students with a legitimate job offer in Ontario to acquire permanent residency in the province.
What’s the Latest Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Update?
According to the latest Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program update, international students with an Ontario College Graduate Certificate from any one-year college program, are eligible to apply.
The update has been effective from 1st January 2024.
Prior to this, students with a one-year credential from specific institutions only could apply for the program.
IRCC brought forth this change to meet Ontario’s economic needs and fill the labour shortages in the province.
What is the OINP International Student Stream?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is the economic immigration program of Ontario. It functions through IRCC and enables the province to invite skilled foreign workers and international students. The OINP also nominates specific candidates for permanent residence.
The International Student Stream falls under the employment job offer category of the program. Internationals living in or outside Canada are eligible to apply for this program through this stream. They, however, must have a valid job offer in Level 0, A or B category as stated in the NOC.
The employer and job should also meet the eligibility requirements in this program. For instance, the employer in Ontario should complete an Employer Form. The international student needs to submit it while applying.
You need to get the approval from Canadian Government and an Ontario provincial nomination under this stream to be able to apply for a work permit. It is also an efficient pathway to permanent residence in the province.
What are the eligibility requirements?
A diploma or graduate degree of at least a year if the student completed it on a full-time basis from an eligible Canadian institution
A diploma or an undergraduate degree of at least a year if the student completed it on a full-time basis from an eligible Canadian institution
A college graduate certificate of at least a year if the student completed it on a full-time basis from an eligible institution in Ontario
A graduate degree of at least a year if the student completed it on a full-time basis from an eligible Canadian institution
International students usually have queries about the eligibility of their graduate certificate. In such cases, you should check if the Ontario College Graduate Certificate is mentioned on the official credential you received from the university.
What else do you need?
The legit authorization you need for the job
A valid job offer in skilled occupation NOC 0, A or B
Legal status in Ontario during the application period
Proof that you intend to reside in Ontario
How can you show your ties to Ontario at the time of applying?
Academic journey in Ontario
Employment history in Ontario
Family ties
Previous visits to Ontario
Professional connections
Volunteering history in Ontario
Job offers in Ontario
Property ownership in the province
Personal relationships
Ontario is one of the most sought-after places for skilled international students and foreign workers to live their Canadian dream. The International Student Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program allows skilled international students to get their dream job and apply for permanent residence here. The entire application process gets simpler and easier with experienced immigrant consultants by your side.
Ottawa has been one of the most sought-after places for international students to pursue their academic goals. Some academic institutions, however, exploited this popularity to increase their revenues. They enabled several international students to arrive in Canada without the proper support they needed to grow here. This not only stresses sustainable population growth but also housing and healthcare in Canada. Thus, the Canadian Government will set a cap on the number of approved study permit applications for two years. This is expected to give time to the country to stabilize new growth and provide the existing students with enough support.
What’s the Latest Update on International Student Admissions?
Marc Miller, Immigration Minister will set a two-year cap on the international student admissions. This is important to stabilize new growth and provide a standard lifestyle to the international students already living in Canada.
This cap is expected to approve about 360,000 study permits in 2024, which is almost 35% less than what was in 2023. The government will cap the permits based on specific provinces and territories. Provinces with maximum unsustainable population growth will have significant reductions in approving study permit applications.
However, the update doesn’t impact study permit renewals and current study permit holders. Elementary, secondary, master’s and doctoral courses are not included in this update.
How will the Study Permit Applications Work in 2024-2026?
The government will ask each province and territory to follow a specific portion of the cap. They can then allocate further among their DLIs.
Every study permit application should have an attestation letter from a territory or province. They need to set up a system for students to issue their attestation letters by 31st March 2024.
What are the Changes in Study Permit Eligibility Criteria?
IRCC ensures that the cap remains aligned with the PGWP. Hence, here are some changes they announced to the Post-Graduation Work Permit program as well.
You can apply for a 3-year work permit if you have completed a Master’s or a short graduate-level program.
International students who pursue a study program under the curriculum licensing agreement will not be allowed to apply for a postgraduation work permit after graduation from 1st September 2024.
Spouses of international students in doctoral and master’s programs will only be allowed to apply for open work permits.
Wrapping Up,
The new limitations on study permit applications ensure that the Government of Canada maintains a sustainable growing environment for international students. From adequate student housing and healthcare to developing a recognized institution framework, Canada is all set to take care of everything necessary for international students to live and work here. It is possible to get through this strict study permit application process with the right consultant by your side. Why don’t you get in touch with Onkar Immigration and get thorough guidance about the process?
According to the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026, Canada will welcome about 485,000 permanent residents in 2024. The aim is to fill labour shortages with as many skilled immigrants as possible. Thus, IRCC leaves no stone unturned to make things easier for candidates interested in immigrating and Canadian employers looking for global talent. If immigrating to Canada has been on your wishlist, this is the time to make it true. A licensed immigration consultant can help you with the programs, application processes and issuance of permits.
What are the Key Canadian Immigration Updates in 2024?
IRCC has adopted new measures in various sectors, depending on what the country needs. The category-based Express Entry, for instance, prioritizes candidates with work experience in five specific industries. Similarly, there are changes in provincial nominee, temporary residence and family class programs. So, let’s dive a little deeper into what to expect from Canadian immigration in 2024.
Express Entry Changes
The category-based draws were introduced in 2023 and yielded quite positive results. So, we expect all-program draws to take a back seat this year while most draws prioritize categories such as healthcare, transport, trades, STEM, farming and food. IRCC can add or remove any category in 2024. The decision depends on the economic gaps and labour requirements in Canada. Candidates with French language proficiency were also eligible for the category-based draws.
About 110,770 Federal High Skilled Immigrants are expected to get their ITAs in 2024. The number may rise to 117,500 in 2025 and 2026.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Changes
PNPs are all set to become the biggest immigration pathway in 2024 in terms of targets. These immigration programs let local governments handpick candidates based on their specific economic needs.
PNPs are expected to invite at least 110,000 candidates in 2024 across nine provinces and two territories excluding Quebec. You can check out the new guidelines for PNPs here.
IRCC also aims to help territories and provinces plan their immigration strategies better through multi-year immigration plans in 2024. Each regional government will be able to plan the immigration rules for prospective candidates in a more precise manner.
International Student Program Changes
IRCC takes a stricter approach to prevent scams in international student programs. For instance, Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) need to verify each letter of acceptance submitted by international students before proceeding with the study permit issuance.
A thorough review of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is also in the queue in 2024. The review will make it easier for the students to apply and get their Canadian PR.
Parents and Grandparents Program Updates
The program will welcome at least 32,000 candidates in 2024. If you are interested in sponsoring your parents or grandparents through this stream, you need to submit your interest in the pool through an online application. It’s like a lottery system and you may get your chance if picked randomly during draws.
What are Some Unique Changes As Promised by IRCC?
The Canadian Government is more serious about filling labour gaps and improving the country’s economy. Hence, besides updating the immigration programs, they have considered the following changes as well.
New IRCC board of advisors
IRCC plans to create a new body of advisors in 2024 to improve Canadian immigration policy and services. It might include experienced authorities, who would bring fresh policies and approaches to the table for better immigration program development,
Focus on the use of AI and technology
Canadian immigration will prioritize the use of AI and technology in 2024. The updates will make things easier for IRCC officers, highlight diversity priorities and reduce processing times. The digital transformation will help eligible candidates apply for immigration faster and in several ways. In other words, they will have more options to apply for immigration here.
A new role of the Chief International Talent Officer (CITO)
The immigration department in Canada will appoint a new role known as the Chief International Talent Officer. With the rising diverse requirements in the country, it can be difficult to identify and fulfill those in a specific time span. The CITO is supposed to take care of it. They will assess and identify the vacancies in the country’s labour market and align them with the country’s immigration system.
How Can Our Immigration Consultants Help?
At Onkar Immigration, we stay abreast of all the updates that will govern the Canadian immigration system in 2024. Whether you want to study in Canada or apply for permanent residence here, we have the right team to guide you
Read More