immigration
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Updates - January 22, 2024
On January 22, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to the International Student Program. These changes impact outside Canada study permit applications, the eligibility criteria for an open work permit for spouses and common-law partners of full-time study permit holders, and the Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) program.
Keep reading below for more information about each item, as the impact may be different for undergraduate and graduate students.
Study permit application
As of January 22, 2024, IRCC is setting an intake cap on study permit applications for a two-year period. The number of new study permit applications that will be accepted in 2025 will be re-assessed at the end 2024. In addition, as of 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024, most new post-secondary students applying for a study permit are required to include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they intend to study in their application to IRCC.
For more information about who requires a PAL, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage.
Current SFU students in Canada applying to extend or change conditions of a study permit
You do not require a PAL to extend or change conditions of your study permit from inside Canada. If your study permit will be expiring soon, please review our instruction guides below for step-by-step information about the application process and documents required.
Note: On January 30, 2024, IRCC released a new version of the study permit extension application form (IMM 5709 – Application to extend my stay, change conditions or remain in Canada as a student). If you apply for a study permit extension on or after January 30, 2024 you must include the new version of the form in your application.
If you are transferring to SFU from another designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, ensure that you complete the DLI transfer process. Instructions for how to complete the DLI transfer are found on the IRCC website.
New students for the Summer and Fall 2024 terms
If you applied for your study permit before 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024
IRCC will review your application following the requirements under the previous study permit application process. You are not required to obtain a provincial attestation letter (PAL). No action is needed on your part.
If you apply for your study permit on or after January 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET
SFU Undergraduate Students
Unless exempted, you are required to include a PAL in your study permit application. For information about how you will receive your PAL, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage.
If a PAL is needed, wait until you have the PAL before submitting your study permit application. While you are waiting for the PAL, you can start preparing your study permit application and gather applicable supporting documents. This way, your application will be ready to submit once you receove your PAL.
- Visit our website for information about applying for a study permit from outside Canada
- Visit the IRCC website for information about documents required in a study permit application
Note: New students for the Summer and Fall 2024 terms that are inside Canada and holding a study permit do not require a PAL to apply to extend their study permit. See above section titled "Current SFU students in Canada applying to extend or change conditions of a study permit" for details.
SFU Graduate Students
Students in Master’s or PhD degree program
You do not require a PAL to apply for a study permit and you may submit your application to IRCC as soon as you have prepared all required forms and supporting documents. Apply early to ensure that your application is processed in time.
- Visit our website for information about applying for a study permit from outside Canada
- Visit the IRCC website for information about documents required in a study permit application
Graduate Students pursuing a study program other than a degree program
If you will be studying in a graduate program that does not lead to a SFU degree (e.g. a prerequisite, certificate or diploma program), you require a PAL unless exempted. If a PAL is needed, wait until you have the PAL before submitting your study permit application.
For information about how you will receive your PAL, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage.
While you are waiting for the PAL, you can start preparing your study permit application and gather applicable supporting documents. This way, your application will be ready to submit once you receove your PAL.
- Visit our website for information about applying for a study permit from outside Canada
- Visit the IRCC website for information about documents required in a study permit application
Note: New students for the Summer and Fall 2024 terms that are inside Canada and holding a study permit do not require a PAL to apply to extend their study permit. See above section titled "Current SFU students in Canada applying to extend or change conditions of a study permit" for details.
SFU Undergraduate and Graduate Exchange Students
Exchange students who will be studying at SFU for more than 6 months require a study permit. Undergraduate and graduate exchange students who will be applying for a study permit from outside Canada require a provincial attestation letter (PAL).
For information about how you will receive your PAL, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage.
Wait until you have the PAL before submitting your outside Canada study permit application. While you are waiting for the PAL, you can start preparing your study permit application and gather applicable supporting documents. This way, your application will be ready to submit once you receove your PAL.
- Visit our website for information about applying for a study permit from outside Canada
- Visit the IRCC website for information about documents required in a study permit application
Note: New students for the Summer and Fall 2024 terms that are inside Canada and holding a study permit do not require attestation letter to apply to extend their study permit. See above section titled "Current SFU students in Canada applying to extend or change conditions of a study permit" for details.
SFU Undergraduate and Graduate Visiting Research Students (VRS)
Undergraduate and graduate Visiting Research Students who will be applying for a study permit from outside Canada require a PAL.
Not all VRS require a study permit. The appropriate immigration document(s) for a VRS visit depend several factors including length of visit, funding arrangements, and the scope of research activity.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Starting on February 15, 2024, students who meet all PGWP eligibility criteria and who are completing a master's degree program that is less than 2 years in duration can apply for a 3-year post-graduation work permit.
The length of PGWP issued for all other SFU study programs other than master’s degrees will continue to align with the length of the study program, to a maximum of 3 years. The eligibility criteria for a PGWP also remain the same.
Visit the IRCC website for more information.
Open Work Permit eligibility for Spouses and Common-law Partners of Study Permit Holders
As of March 19, 2024, the open work permit issued under Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption C42 will be available to:
- spouses and common-law partners of full-time students in graduate degree programs (master’s and doctorate)
- spouses and common-law partners of full-time students in professional degree programs in a university (e.g., medicine, dentistry, law)
- spouses and common-law partners who hold a valid open work permit under the C42 category and who are extending their work permit as spouses of full-time students in a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligible program of study at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution.
- This includes spouses and common-law partners of current undergraduate students who already hold this open work permit.
Spouses and common-law partners of international students in other levels of study, including most undergraduate and college programs, are no longer eligible for this work permit.
Review the IRCC website for more information about eligibility requirements for the open work permit under LMIA exemption C42.
Questions?
If you have questions, connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist for assistance.
IRCC announcements
If you would like to review the recent IRCC announcements related to the International Student Program, you can find them linked below.