Maple News reports that Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced sweeping changes to the international student permit system, effectively pausing most new study permit applications until at least March 31, 2024.
The Canadian government has set a nationwide cap of approximately 360,000 new study permits for 2024—a nearly 35% drop from recent years—as part of efforts to stabilize the growing influx of international students and maintain the integrity of the system. In a significant procedural shift, each study permit application must now include an attestation letter issued by the province or territory where the student plans to study.
Up until this change, applicants were only required to submit a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issued by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). However, as of January 22, 2024, the additional attestation letter is a non-negotiable requirement and must be submitted alongside the LOA.
The responsibility of creating a system to issue these attestation letters lies with individual provinces and territories. IRCC has given them until March 31, 2024, to establish formal processes. Until such systems are fully operational, most prospective international students will be unable to begin the permit application process.
While the delay affects most study permit applicants, individuals eligible for cap-exempt permits may still apply. These include students pursuing programs at the elementary or secondary school level, those renewing their permits, or participants in certain specified programs.
The sweeping reform aims to clamp down on fraudulent activity, ensure institutions have necessary resources to support international students, and help manage housing and healthcare pressures. Maple News notes that the move reflects growing calls for better oversight in the international education sector, which has seen record growth over the past decade.
Once provinces roll out attestation letter processes, students who obtain both an LOA and the required provincial attestation will be permitted to apply for their study permits. Until then, the vast majority of new international student applications remain on hold.
Aspiring students and DLIs alike are eagerly awaiting updates from provincial governments about the rollout of this new requirement.