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Category Archives: Study Visa

April 8, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

The Immigration Minister, Marc Miller announced the allocation of study permit for all provinces. IRCC made an announcement on the 22nd of January, 2024 that there will be a cap on the the number of international students that will be let into Canada in the year, 2024. To achieve this, all provinces will be given an allocation on the total number of study permits that will be approved, this allocation will be based on the population of the province.

IRCC adjusted allocations for provinces that would receive a lower allocation of study permits to lessen any negative impact.

Provinces that were poised to receive more international students in 2024 than in 2023 had their allocations capped at 10% of their population.

IRCC also topped up the allocations for provinces with an approval rate lower than 60% believing that it will help these provinces reach their expected number of approved study permits.

See below study permit allocation according to province

IRCC does not have the authority to cap the number of approved study permits but the department can cap the number of study permit applications that are processed.

However, basing the cap for study permits on a national approval rate of 60%, IRCC says that the estimated cap of study permits issued is derived from the number of study permit applications it will process. In this situation, the department hopes to process 606,000 applications.

Need help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

March 28, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

The province of Ontario announced on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 that they will be giving 96% of study permit applications to public funded universities and 4% to private universities, language schools, and other institutions in the province. Career colleges will not receive any applications.

Institutions offering skilled programs such as STEM, Skilled Trades, Health Human Resources, Childcare and Hospitality will be prioritized. French-language enrollment will also be prioritized as employers compete for employees with French-language skills.

This measure is taken by the Ontario government to provide graduate with in-demand jobs and also meet with the demand of the province’s labour market.

See below criteria that will be used to issue applications to the institutions

  • Institution must prioritize programs in the high-demand fields: skilled trades, human resources in health, STEM, hospitality, and child care.
  • an institution cannot exceed the 2023 permission levels.
  • as a last safety measure, the proportion of foreign permits cannot go above 55% of the institution’s first-year domestic enrollment in 2023 (except in high-demand sectors).

IRCC announced putting a cap on study permit applications for international students January of 2024, this cap does not include those enrolled in master’s and doctoral degree programs and those in kindergarten through grade 12.

The allocation of study permits to an individual institution for 2024 and 2025 cannot exceed the number of permits Ontario issued in 2023 and the ratio of international permits cannot exceed 55% (exclusive of high-demand areas) of the institution’s 2023 first-year domestic enrollment.

Applications for 22 out of 23 universities will remain at the 2023 level. Algoma university is the only university to witness a decrease in 2023 applications.

A total of 11 of Ontario’s 24 public colleges will also maintain applications at the 2023 level. Conestoga College and other public-private college partnerships will see a huge decline in application.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

March 26, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

As announced by IRCC on the 22nd of January, 2024, all provinces are required to issue Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) based on the allocation of study permits they receive within the newly implemented cap on study permits for 2024.

All provinces were given until March 31, 2024 to begin issuing the letters to international students. New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador have joined British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec on the list of provinces that have carried out this task.

Details on getting a PAL in New Brunswick

IRCC states that New Brunswick has had a PAL process in place since March 18. International students are required to contact their Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to find out how to apply.

After application, the DLI will then request for PAL from the province which would take a duration of two weeks to get a response.

On receipt of the PAL document, students can now submit their final study permit application alongside the completed PAL document.

Details on getting a PAL in Saskatchewan

According to IRCC, the PAL process for Saskatchewan has been in place since March 13, 2024. International students are advised to contact their DLI to get their PAL.

No additional details on getting a PAL yet from any of the province’s most prominent post-secondary institutions.

Details on getting a PAL in Newfoundland and Labrador

As of March 19, 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador’s PAL system has been put in place. International students are advised to contact their DLI to apply for their PAL.

Memorial University in St. John’s has the largest number of international students of any DLI in the province. The institution says it will contact admitted students via email to collect any additional information required for the attestation letter process, this will begin with students who intend to start in the May 2024 semester.

Need professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

 

 

 

March 19, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

Alberta and Manitoba has started issuing Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL) to Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). The amount of PALs given to each province and the way they intend to distribute them isn’t known for now.

Only approved international universities in Alberta and Manitoba will be sending the PAL document via email to the student. Students can only request for PAL when they have shown a commitment to study in the Designated Learning Institution by at least paying a deposit fee after receiving an offer of acceptance.

Each DLI have specific requirements for admission into their universities, so students are expected to carefully go through the websites of these universities before requesting for PAL.

IRCC has instructed that all provinces should have fallen in line with this programme as at the last day of March, 2024.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

March 5, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

On February 13, 2024, the Canadian province of Quebec started issuing an updated letter attesting to the issuance of the Quebec acceptance certificate for studies. This letter enables candidates to apply for a study permit in accordance to the Federal government’s instructions which were released on January 22, 2024.

At this point, you don’t need to do anything further to get this letter from the province. If, however, you need an updated letter of attestation to submit your application for a study permit with the federal government. See below steps to take:

-Complete the form you will find on their website using the link below:

https://immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/mail.php

-Then select the subject “CAQ-Updated Letter of Attestation” in the menu for the form and make sure to indicate the email address you used when you created your arrima account.

-In your message, you must indicate that you would like to receive an updated Letter of Attestation to submit your application for study permit and provide your file number. This is indicated in the right corner of the letter that you initially received.

-A new letter of attestation will be placed in your file within 10 working days

Need professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

March 5, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

As of March 4, 2024, British Columbia has initiated the issuance of Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL). PAL is a verificaton letter provided to institutions by the provincial government, which then distribute it to international applicants.

International students wishing to study in the province are required to include PAL, received from the British Columbia government, along with their study permit application. This serves as evidence of their acceptance into a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) within the province.

Following the announcement of the cap for intake of international students in 2024 by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), British Columbia has been allocated a total of 83,000 undergraduate study permit applications by IRCC. The province highlights that, according to past acceptance rates, the federal government anticipates approximately 50,000 approved study permit applications for 2024 as a result. The province stated that letters will be distributed 53% for public institutions and 47% for private institutions.

This requirement by IRCC does not affect primary and secondary students, master’s and doctoral degree students, students already in Canada with a valid study permit or Canada work permit holders and their in-Canada family members, also students already in Canada applying for an extension as well as students whose application was received before 8:30am EST on January 22, 2024 before the announcement on cap for study permit applications was made by IRCC.

British Columbia is leading the way as the first province to initiate the issuance of attestation letters as the deadline provided by IRCC is March 31, 2024.

Need professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

February 26, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In line with recent reforms by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pertaining to international students planning to pursue studies in Canada, a cap has been implemented on the annual influx of international students. Notably, this cap does not apply to master’s and doctorate-level students.

Effective February 15, 2024, students who have completed a master’s program become eligible for a three-year Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). Additionally, only spouses and common-law partners of master’s, doctorate, or professional degree students are eligible to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).

There are many benefits attached to offering a one-year master’s program in Canada, it is cost effective and also you can graduate and get a job immediately instead of studying for another year as in the case of a two-year degree program.

See below list of universities across Canada offering one-year master’s programs for the 2024 fall intake:

  • Brock University
    • Master of Professional Accounting December 2024
  • Crandall University
    • Master of Organizational Management
  • Lakehead University
    • Master of Science in Management, Computer Science, and Business Administration
  • Laurentian University
    • Master of Forensic Science
    • Master of Engineering in Engineering Science—Fast Track
    • Forensic Science—Molecular Biology
    • Forensic Science—Chemistry/Toxicology, and
    • Business Administration
  • Nipissing University
    • Master of Arts in History: Gender History, European History, Environmental History, International History, and Canadian History
  • Ontario Tech University
    • Master of Business Analytics and AI
  • Royal Roads University
    • Master of Global Management
  • Thompson Rivers University
    • Master in Environmental Economics and Management,
    • Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management,
    • Master of Business Administration
  • Toronto Metropolitan University
    • Master of Interior Design,
    • Master of Arts in Immigration and Settlement Studies,
    • Media Production,
    • Master of Professional Communication,
    • Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics,
    • Master of Arts in Early Childhood Studies,
    • Master of Arts in International Economics and Finance,
    • Master of Spatial Analysis, Master of Social Work, Master of Digital Media)
  • Trent University
    • Master of Management: Strategic Change Management,
    • Master of Management,
    • Master of Education in Educational Studies,
    • Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies,
    • Master of Instrumental Chemical Analysis,
    • Master of Arts in History: Colonialism and Conflict, Regional and Transnational History, European History, Canadian History, Social and Cultural History, Iberian American History,
    • Master of Arts in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies,
    • Master of Science in Forensic Science)
  • Trinity Western University
    • Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities, English, Philosophy, and History
  • University of Alberta
    • Master of Engineering – Chemical and Materials Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering,
    • Master of Business Administration (Fast Track) – Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment, Operations and Business Analytics, Sustainability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, Finance, International Business, Public Sector and Healthcare Management, Supply Chain Management,
    • Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering,
    • Master of Business Administration (Fast Track),
    • Master of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences- Integrated Petroleum Geosciences, Integrated Petroleum Geosciences,
    • Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering)
  • University of Manitoba
    • Master of Finance,
    • Master of Business Administration
  • University of New Brunswick
    • Master in Quantitative Investment Management,
    • Master of Business Administration
  • University of Northern British Columbia
    • Master of Arts in Gender Studies
  • University of Ottawa
    • Master of Business Administration
  • University of Prince Edward Island
    • Master of Business Administration in Global Leadership
  • University of Regina
    • Master of Science in Computer Science (Data Science),
    • Master of Journalism
  • University of Saskatchewan
    • Master of Business Administration
  • University of Victoria – Kaplan
    • Master of Global Business,
    • Master of Arts in English,
    • Master of Arts in Economics,
    • Master of Management
  • University of Windsor
    • Master of Arts in Political Science,
    • Master of Applied Computing,
    • Master of Education
  • Wilfrid Laurier University
    • Master of International Public Policy

Need help obtaining admission into a college/university in Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

February 23, 2024

Hello future neighbour,

Canada made multiple changes in the beginning of the year in a bid to improve the welfare of international students. Some of these changes included an increase in the cost of living which took effect from January 1, 2024, also the requirement of a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)  from the province where the student will reside. A cap was also placed on the number of international students received annually thereby reducing the number of temporary residents by limiting the eligibility for Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) and Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).

These changes have been contested by international students who have complained about the PGWP and SOWP.

Recently, the Immigration Minister, Marc Miller extended the full-time work policy for eligible international students to April, 30, 2024, this is to enable the students sustain their cost of living.

Not all students are eligible to work, only study permit applicants meeting the below criteria are eligible until April 30, 2024:

If study permit application (or extension) was received by IRCC by October 7, 2022

If any of the following apply to you, you may work off campus for more than 20 hours per week between November 15, 2022, and April 30, 2024:

  • You are a full-time student at a DLI with a study permit (or part-time if it’s your last semester of study).
  • Despite the expiration of your study permit, you have kept your status and are enrolled full-time (or part-time if it’s your last semester) in classes at a DLI.

If study permit application (or extension) was received by IRCC between October 8, 2022, and December 7, 2023

If any of the following apply to you, you may work off campus for more than 20 hours per week between January 1, 2024, and April 30, 2024:

  • You are a full-time student at a DLI with a study permit (or part-time if it’s your last semester of study).
  • Despite the expiration of your study permit, you have kept your status and are enrolled full-time (or part-time if it’s your last semester) in classes at a DLI.
  • Although your study permission has been granted, you have not yet entered Canada.

Any individual who has submitted a study permit application or extension to IRCC after December 7, 2023, is ineligible to work more than 20 hours.

IRCC is however considering increasing the off-campus working hours for students to 30 hours weekly while class is in session.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

 

 

 

February 12, 2024

In the just concluded week, Canada sent out more than 5,000 invitations to candidates under the IEC Working Holiday Visa category, Young Professionals category and International Co-op (Internship) category.

Invitations have been sent to 4,643 candidates to apply for open work permit under the IEC Working Holiday category.

See below IEC 2024 Working Holiday Visa invitations by countries:

Country Invitations sent during week ending Feb 9 Total 2024 Invitations Available Spots Candidates in Pool IEC 2024 Quota Chances of being invited to the next round
Andorra 3 10 20 0 25 Excellent
Australia 214 2,109 0 281 Unlimited Excellent
Austria 4 120 24 14 100 Excellent
Belgium 32 605 351 63 750 Excellent
Chile 250 485 581 6,761 725 Very low
Costa Rica 10 44 60 1,652 80 Very low
Croatia 4 36 257 4 275 Excellent
Czech Republic 24 315 807 15 1,000 Excellent
Denmark 6 102 279 9 350 Excellent
Estonia 2 45 83 4 110 Excellent
Finland 0 0 0 0 TBA Excellent
France 1,181 2,947 5,750 17,329 7,000 Very low
Germany 125 1,427 3,590 159 4,490 Excellent
Greece 6 84 129 9 180 Excellent
Hong Kong 11 160 113 11 200 Excellent
Iceland 0 6 117 0 120 Excellent
Ireland 201 1,966 9,426 251 10,500 Excellent
Italy 82 921 1,242 101 1,750 Excellent
Japan 213 2,651 4,670 312 6,500 Excellent
Latvia 8 63 14 17 40 Fair
Lithuania 14 191 87 14 175 Excellent
Luxembourg 2 7 77 2 80 Excellent
Netherlands 35 489 112 47 430 Excellent
New Zealand 62 697 2,047 88 2,500 Excellent
Norway 3 49 105 5 135 Excellent
Poland 27 209 522 33 635 Excellent
Portugal 24 288 1,561 18 1,750 Excellent
San Marino 0 1 24 0 25 Excellent
Slovakia 10 196 193 15 315 Excellent
Slovenia 0 16 71 3 80 Excellent
South Korea 1,073 10,012 4,535 779 10,000 Excellent
Spain 67 650 426 75 800 Excellent
Sweden 10 107 523 13 580 Excellent
Taiwan 300 668 746 2,052 940 Very Low
UK 640 5,508 6,093 550 9,000 Excellent
Total 4,643 33,184 44,635 30,686 61,640

See below invitations for IEC 2024 Young Professionals category

Country Invitations sent during week ending Feb 9 Total 2024 Invitations Available Spots Candidates in Pool IEC 2024 Quota Chances of being invited to the next round
Australia 1 57 0 4 Unlimited Excellent
Austria 0 6 57 0 60 Excellent
Chile 5 24 13 159 20 Very low
Costa Rica 4 22 4 107 15 Very low
Croatia 0 4 18 0 20 Excellent
Czech Republic 9 88 96 12 145 Excellent
Estonia 1 2 10 1 10 Excellent
Finland 0 0 0 0 TBA Excellent
France 88 771 1,797 101 2,200 Excellent
France – VIE 35 114 915 42 1,000 Excellent
Germany 19 136 291 18 350 Excellent
Greece 3 33 3 5 10 Excellent
Ireland 14 59 138 13 150 Excellent
Latvia 0 2 7 2 8 Excellent
Lithuania 0 7 17 3 20 Excellent
Luxembourg 0 0 10 0 10 Excellent
Netherlands 5 64 141 5 170 Excellent
Norway 0 7 13 0 15 Excellent
Poland 2 15 102 0 110 Excellent
Portugal 1 8 196 1 200 Excellent
Slovakia 0 21 17 3 30 Excellent
Slovenia 0 6 14 1 15 Excellent
South Korea 18 341 1,392 17 1,500 Excellent
Spain 7 65 90 6 120 Excellent
Spain — IECX Vives 0 52 49 7 50 Excellent
Sweden 0 11 94 1 100 Excellent
Switzerland 8 64 160 6 200 Excellent
Taiwan 0 34 39 6 50 Excellent
UK 37 312 815 17 900 Excellent
Total 257 2,325 6,498 537 7,478

See below invitations for International Co-op (Internship) category

Country Invitations sent during week ending Feb 9 Total 2024 Invitations Available Spots Candidates in Pool IEC 2024 Quota Chances of being invited to the next round
Australia 0 2 0 2 Unlimited Excellent
Austria 0 0 20 0 20 Excellent
Chile 1 10 2 1 5 Excellent
Costa Rica 0 2 5 0 5 Excellent
Croatia 0 0 5 0 5 Excellent
Czech Republic 0 0 5 1 5 Excellent
Estonia 0 0 5 0 5 Excellent
Finland 0 0 0 0 TBA Excellent
France 108 1,260 2,891 156 4,250 Excellent
Germany 4 42 138 4 160 Excellent
Greece 0 0 10 0 10 Excellent
Ireland 0 15 39 1 50 Excellent
Latvia 0 0 2 0 2 Excellent
Lithuania 0 0 5 0 5 Excellent
Luxembourg 0 0 10 0 10 Excellent
Norway 0 6 5 0 5 Excellent
Poland 0 0 5 0 5 Excellent
Portugal 0 8 49 1 50 Excellent
Slovakia 0 0 5 0 5 Excellent
Slovenia 0 0 5 0 5 Excellent
South Korea 2 10 500 1 500 Excellent
Spain 0 1 29 0 30 Excellent
Sweden 0 0 20 0 20 Excellent
Switzerland 0 12 40 2 50 Excellent
Taiwan 0 8 10 0 100 Excellent
UK 3 14 96 2 100 Excellent
Total 118 1,390 3,901 171 5,402

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

February 6, 2024

Dear Future Neighbour,

Canada announces rules for international students on Monday, February 5, 2024. These rules have been set to properly guide and inform the students, also for the best interest of the students.

See below the five rules for international students coming into Canada

1. Increase in Cost of Living: From January 1, 2024, apart from the tuition fee and travel expenses for Canada study permit, all applicants are expected to have an additional fee of $20,635 for cost of living requirement. However, this amount increases if the student plans to come into Canada with a family member(s).

See below Canada Study Permit funds requirement

Number of family members (including the applicant) Amount of funds required per year (not including tuition)
1 CAN$20,635
2 CAN$25,690
3 CAN$31,583
4 CAN$38,346
5 CAN$43,492
6 CAN$49,051
7 CAN$54,611
If there are more than seven people, each additional family member CAN$5,559

2. Cap on International Students coming into Canada: Canada intends to take in 606,250 candidates in 2024 out of which 360,000 will be for new study permit. This cap on international students does not include:

  • new study permit applications or extensions from within Canada
  • study permit applications to study at the primary school or secondary school level
  • study permit applications to study in a graduate degree program at the master’s or doctorate level.

3. New Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Requirement: Applications submitted after 8:30am, Toronto time on Monday, January 22, 2024 are required to provide a provincial attestation letter from the province where they intend to study. The process is still ongoing by the federal government on the issuance of PAL by the province, however by March 31, 2024, the process should be effected.

The following groups are exempted from the PAL requirement for new study permit applications:

  • to study in a preschool, primary school or secondary school (up to grade 12)
  • to study in a master’s degree or doctoral degree program or
  • for study permit extension from within Canada

 

4. Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility Change: Henceforth, Canada only intends to give open work permits to spouses of international students on master’s and doctorate degree programs. International students at other levels of study, such as undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.

 

5. Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility: Set to take effect from February 15, 2024, master’s degree graduate who complete program in less than two years and meet all the PGWP requirements will be eligible for a longer three-year post-graduation work permit.

However, the length of PGWPs for programs other than master’s degrees remains same with the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years.

Also, from September 1, 2024, international students who commence a study program as part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a post-graduate employment permit after graduation.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com