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Tag Archives: #internationalstudents

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 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 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



 

January 31, 2024

Dear Future Neighbour,

In a bid to put a stop to exploitative exercises, improve the welfare and regulate the affairs of International students in British Columbia, the province announced measures to be taken on Monday, January 29, 2024.

This action is coming days after the IRCC Minister announced a cap for the intake of International students allowed into Canada in 2024.

These new measures by British Columbia will ensure that international students are given proper attention and the right facilities are put in place during their stay in Canada.

See below measures taken by British Columbia:

1. Temporary ban on expansion of institutions offering foreign education: A two-year ban to last till February 2026 has been put in place for new education quality assurance certification.

2. Enhanced Compliance and Enforcement: More inspections will be carried out by the province to make sure that institutions are keeping up with the standards set and giving the students the necessary support required. The institution must also make sure that the students obtain quality education, all private degree programs must meet the approval requirements. Also as part of the standards, the quality of education must be what is required in the labour market so that the students are efficient after graduation.

3. Higher Standards for Private Degree Programs: changes have been made to the requirements for the institutions granting private- degree programs. The examinations have been made tougher and the general procedure complex.

4. New Language Requirements for Private Institutions: Language training for students to better equip them for their professional journey while in British Columbia.

5. Tuition Transparency: Public institutions will have to publicize their tuition fee so that students know what it is expected of them before commencement of the degree.

Need help processing admission into a Canadian college/university, or 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

January 15, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

We get asked this question frequently and here is the answer, NO! Your study/work permit is not a travel document. If you plan to travel outside Canada while studying/working in Canada, you will need a valid visitor visa to exit and re-enter Canada.

If you have a valid work/study permit but your visitor visa has expired, you will need to renew it before you exit Canada, otherwise there is no guarantee that you would be  allowed to re-enter Canada.

Hope this helps!

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