Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed a ceiling on the number of study permit applications it will process in 2024, introducing a stricter framework to manage the flow of international students. Under new ministerial instructions, IRCC will consider a maximum of 606,250 study permit applications this year. This is distinct from the earlier-announced cap of 360,000—representing the number of actual permits IRCC plans to approve.
This processing cap is designed to regulate the intake at an earlier stage, regardless of outcomes. In essence, IRCC will only assess up to 606,250 applications, irrespective of how many are ultimately approved or rejected. The ministry has reserved the right to revise this cap if future circumstances require—potentially increasing the processing limit to meet the approval ceiling.
This marks a significant shift from 2023, when IRCC processed over 814,000 study permit applications and approved around 579,000. The new caps represent a 25% drop in the number of applications to be processed and nearly a 38% decrease in expected approvals, reflecting Canada’s tightening stance on managing international student volumes.
Among the key mechanics of the new system is the introduction of ‘attestation letters.’ Under this system, study permit applicants will need to submit not only a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) but also an official attestation letter from the province or territory in which the institution is located. The move is intended to allocate study permit slots proportionally based on each province’s population.
Attestation letters must be signed by provincial or territorial authorities and must include the applicant’s full name, date of birth, and residential address. These documents serve as confirmation that the applicant falls within the province’s assigned quota for study permit approvals.
Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia—Canada’s most populous provinces—are expected to receive the largest share of permit approvals under this framework. Smaller provinces and territories will receive smaller allocations, creating a more balanced national system for international student intake.
Maple News notes that this measure is part of a broader push by the federal government to improve oversight of Canada’s international education system amid concerns about housing, infrastructure capacity, and the integrity of some private institutions.
While the study pathway remains open, prospective students are now urged to plan earlier and work closely with their institutions and provincial governments to secure the necessary documentation. This development signals a new era in Canadian international education policy—one that balances opportunity with a focus on sustainability and integrity.