Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, recently shared with the Globe and Mail that the country plans to approve around 292,000 study permits for college and undergraduate students this year. This number comes from an overall cap of approximately 360,000 study permits set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) earlier this year, aimed at managing the growth of the international student program.
Clarifications on the Cap
IRCC explained that the 360,000 cap includes permits exempt from the cap, leading to the specific figure of 292,000 for new college and undergraduate permits. The immigration minister clarified that his authority extends to the number of applications processed, not the permits issued, meaning the cap focuses on application intake.
Details on the Study Permit Cap
The cap was introduced to ensure sustainable growth in the international student sector and maintain the system’s integrity. It excludes students at the primary, secondary, and postgraduate levels, aiming for a total of 360,000 approvals this year, based on average approval rates.
Provinces play a key role in implementing this cap, responsible for issuing Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL) to international students. These letters, required alongside a letter of acceptance (LOA), confirm a student’s authorization to study in Canada as part of the province’s allocation.
Provincial Involvement and PALs
So far, British Columbia and Alberta have outlined their processes for issuing PALs through Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). These schools will apply on behalf of their students, who must meet all eligibility criteria. The federal government has set a March 31st, 2024 deadline for all provinces to establish their PAL systems, ensuring a smooth transition under the new cap.
