Canada’s Study Permit Rules for 2024: Changes and Requirements

Canada recently announced major changes to its study permit regulations designed to manage the growth in international student numbers and address challenges associated with housing shortages and rising living costs. Here are the key points about the new study permit rules:

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for a study permit in Canada, international students need to meet several eligibility criteria:

  • Attendance at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI): In order to accept international students, an institution must be licensed by a provincial or territorial government and admit students from other countries.
  • Proof of Finances: Applicants must prove that they have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, living expenses for themselves and accompanying family members, and return transportation costs.
  • Legal requirements: Applicants may be required to produce a police clearance certificate in addition to a clean criminal record. A medical examination may also be required to ensure good health.
  • Students must clearly state their intention to leave Canada when their study permit expires.

New application process changes

Effective January 22, 2024, applicants will need to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province or territory they plan to study in. This letter serves as additional verification of the legitimacy of your application.

Study permit cap

The Canadian government has imposed a two-year limit on the number of new study permits issued.

  • In 2024, approximately 360,000 study permits will be issued, a 35% decrease from previous years.
  • Provinces will have different caps based on their local capacity to accommodate international students; Ontario is expected to see a 50 per cent reduction in approvals.

Change of work permit eligibility

Work permit qualifications for spouses of international students have also been tightened:

  • From later this year, only masters students, spouses of doctoral students and graduates of certain professional courses (such as law and medicine) will be eligible for open work permits.
  • The living expense requirement for international students has increased significantly from $10,000 to $20,635 to ensure that students have adequate financial resources while studying abroad.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Renewal

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program will also be modified:

  • From September 1, 2024, graduates of public-private partnership schools will no longer be eligible for the PGWP.
  • For applications submitted after November 1, university graduates must obtain a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7, and college graduates must obtain a CLB score of 5, which is the new language proficiency standard.

These adjustments reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to balance its advantages in attracting foreign students with ensuring that adequate infrastructure and support systems are in place. Prospective students should keep up with these trends when preparing to study in Canada.