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More changes for international students
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The latest changes for international students include limits on study permits, and new rules about work permits for recent graduates and spouses.
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Limit on study permits
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The Government of Canada is limiting how many study permits it issues for the next 2 years. This means that each province and territory will get a certain number of study permit applications for their schools.
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In 2024, the government expects to approve about 360,000 study permits. This is about 35% fewer than in 2023.
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The changes will not affect study permits for students:
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- doing master's or doctoral degrees
- in elementary and secondary school
- who already have a study permit for Canada
- applying to renew their study permit
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Students need a letter to apply
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It applies to most new students who want to attend:
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- undergraduate and college programs, and
- graduate programs that do not grant degrees, for example, certificate and diploma programs.
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This letter is from the province or territory where the student is applying to study. It says that the province or territory counted the student as part of that year's study permit applications.
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Who does not need this letter
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Students do not need this letter if:
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- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) received their application before 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024, or
- they apply for a study permit for primary or secondary school, or for a master's or graduate degree.
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Certain students applying from within Canada also do not need this letter. They include students who have:
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- a study permit and are applying to extend it,
- a work permit,
- a temporary resident permit that's valid for at least 6 months,
- a removal order but they cannot be removed, or
- a family member who's also in Canada and has a study or work permit.
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Post-graduation work permits
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Curriculum licensing arrangements allow a private college to deliver the curriculum of a public college. As of May 15, 2024, students who start these programs will not be eligible for a work permit after they graduate.
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The cut-off date is sooner for students who go to a private college that delivers the curriculum of a public college in another province. Students in these programs may still be eligible for a post-graduation work permit only if they started on or before January 31, 2023.
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These changes could affect many students. So students who have questions or concerns should get legal help. |
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Master's degree students
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Spousal work permits
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Since March 19, 2024, open work permits are only available for the spouse or partner of a student in a graduate program that grants degrees. These are master's and doctoral degree programs, and professional degree programs like law or medicine.
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Spouses and common-law partners of students in other programs might still be eligible for an open work permit if they:
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- applied before March 19, 2024, or
- apply to extend an open spousal work permit they already have.
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And there are other rules that apply to them.
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New form for study permit applications
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IRCC is now only accepting applications through the IRCC Secure Account that use the new form. |
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Get legal help and information
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For more information, visit IRCC's website. Or call IRCC's Client Support Centre at 1-888-242-2100. |
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- questions about study or work permits, or
- concerns about their immigration status and being able to stay in Canada.
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Related Resources
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