British Columbia has introduced a new Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) system as of March 4, 2024, aimed at streamlining the process for international students seeking to study in the province. This move requires international students to include a PAL in their study permit application, demonstrating acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) within the province’s allocated quota.
The PAL system is a response to the cap introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which limits the number of new study permits to 360,000 nationwide for 2024. This represents a significant reduction from previous years, aiming to address unsustainable growth in the number of international students and ensure a high-quality education experience.
British Columbia has been allocated 83,000 undergraduate study permit applications for 2024 by the IRCC. This allocation is expected to result in around 50,000 approved applications, reflecting a targeted approach to manage the inflow of international students and prioritize those attending both public and private institutions.
The PAL allocation is divided between public post-secondary institutions (53%) and private institutions (47%), with a noted decrease in applications for private institutions compared to 2023. This adjustment seeks to balance growth and maintain the quality of education and student support across the sector.
The implementation of the PAL system and the study permit cap comes amid concerns over the impact of the increasing number of international students on housing affordability and the overall student experience in Canada. By introducing these measures, British Columbia, along with IRCC, aims to curb the exploitation of international students and ensure that those coming to Canada for education receive the support and opportunities they deserve.
In addition to the PAL system, British Columbia has introduced further regulations to enhance the quality of education for international students. These include pausing approvals for new post-secondary institutions wishing to enroll international students until February 2026 and imposing minimum language requirements for students at private institutions. These steps are designed to ensure that international students are well-prepared for their studies and life in British Columbia.
