Janice Lozano
Canada has long been a popular destination for international students, with its safe and stable reputation, high-quality education system, and inclusive society. However, the recent influx of international students has led to new policies and procedures for those wishing to enter Canada as students. Previously, international students only needed a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution and other standard documents to apply for a study permit. Now, as of January 22, 2024, the Canadian government has implemented a yearly cap on the number of new international students, with each province given a quota of approximately 360,000 permits for the year. This change has resulted in a 35% decrease in permits issued compared to 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can new international students enter Canada? | Yes, but there is a yearly cap of 360,000 permits for 2024. |
| What documents are required? | A valid study permit, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), and a valid passport. |
| What else is required? | A valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for entry or re-entry. |
| Are there any exemptions? | International students with a valid study permit or approval before March 18, 2020, may enter for a "non-discretionary or non-optional purpose." |
| Can students change their school or program? | Yes, but they must follow the procedure and stay within the conditions of their study permit. |
| What is the cost of studying in Canada? | The average annual tuition for an undergraduate international student in 2018/2019 was $27,159 CAD. |
| What is the cost of living in Canada? | Housing costs vary across cities, with Toronto being more expensive than smaller cities like Saint John's, Newfoundland. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students need a study permit to enter Canada
- Students must have a non-discretionary reason for travel
- A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is now required
- A valid eTA or TRV is needed to enter or re-enter Canada
- International students contribute 22 billion Canadian dollars annually to the economy
International students need a study permit to enter Canada
International students intending to study in Canada are required to obtain a study permit. This has been a mandatory requirement for international students for several years. The Canadian government has recently introduced a two-step Canadian study permit approval process, allowing international students to begin their courses online without a finalised study permit. This is, however, only available to students who have submitted a study permit application before September 15, 2020.
International students must have a valid study permit or have been approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, to enter Canada for a "non-discretionary or non-optional purpose". Those with a study permit approved after this date are subject to travel restrictions and will not be allowed to enter Canada.
To apply for a study permit, students must submit a range of documents, including a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and other standard personal documents. Additionally, as of January 22, 2024, each new study permit application must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) issued by the province where the student intends to study. This new requirement is due to concerns about the rapid increase in international students, which has impacted housing and public services.
It is important to note that international students must also meet the conditions of their study permit while studying in Canada and keep their profile information updated. If a student's program is ending soon, they should be aware of how long they can remain in Canada and understand the process to extend their stay. Furthermore, students intending to change their post-secondary school must obtain a new study permit by applying for an extension to their current permit.
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Students must have a non-discretionary reason for travel
International students with a valid study permit or those approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, may enter Canada only if their purpose of travel is non-discretionary or non-optional. This means that their presence in Canada is necessary for their continued participation in the programme, such as in laboratories or workshops, and that online studies are not an option for their school or programme or are not possible from their home country due to internet restrictions or bandwidth limitations.
If your study permit was approved after March 18, 2020, you may not be exempt from travel restrictions and should not plan to travel to Canada until these restrictions are lifted.
To be allowed to enter Canada, you must possess a valid TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) or eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) in addition to your study permit. An eTA is necessary for citizens of visa-exempt countries, while a TRV is required for those from visa-required countries. It is important to note that even with a valid study permit and TRV or eTA, you may still be refused entry to Canada. The final decision on your entry rests with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers, who will review your supporting documents and determine whether you meet the requirements to enter and will leave Canada at the end of your authorised stay.
In addition to the above, international students must also be aware of new rules and restrictions implemented by the Canadian government for the year 2024. As of January 22, 2024, there is a cap of approximately 360,000 new study permits to be issued this year, a 35% decrease from 2023. Each province and territory will receive a share of this quota, proportional to its population. To obtain a study permit, international students must now include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in their application. This letter is issued by the province where the student intends to study. However, as each province has a limited number of PALs to issue, students who apply late may not receive one and will be unable to apply for a study permit for that year.
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A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is now required
International students intending to study in Canada must now apply for a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) along with their study permit application. The Canadian government has imposed a cap on the number of new international students who may receive study permits in Canada. This cap is set at approximately 360,000 permits for the year 2024, a 35% decrease from 2023. This quota is distributed among the provinces and territories of Canada, proportional to their populations.
The PAL is a method for provinces to verify that accepting a particular international student falls within their allocation of international students. Students must receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and a PAL from the province or territory where the DLI is located. The DLI will apply for the PAL on the student's behalf, and once received, the student can use it with their LOA and other documents to obtain a Canadian study permit.
The PAL requirement is now mandatory for certain students, and provinces will stop issuing PALs once they reach their allocation limit. Provinces have been instructed to have procedures in place for issuing PALs by March 31, 2024. Students who are unable to obtain a PAL may seek assistance from an immigration lawyer to explore alternative pathways to studying or residing in Canada.
The PAL requirement applies to undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree levels of study. It is worth noting that most students who don't need a PAL and want to study in Quebec must still obtain a CAQ (Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec). This requirement confirms that the applicant falls within Quebec's share of study permit applications or is exempt.
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A valid eTA or TRV is needed to enter or re-enter Canada
International students intending to travel to Canada are required to have a valid study permit. This permit allows you to remain in the country for a set amount of time. If your study permit expires before you finish your course, you must apply to extend your stay as a student. Otherwise, you will need to stop studying and leave Canada.
In addition to a valid study permit, international students entering Canada will need a valid eTA or TRV. An eTA, or Electronic Travel Authorization, is required for foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries to enter Canada without a visa. An eTA is granted automatically once a study or work permit application is approved. It is valid for up to 5 years or until the expiry date of your passport, whichever comes first. To apply for an eTA, you will need to fill out some personal information and answer basic questions relating to criminality or medical issues.
A TRV, or Temporary Resident Visa, is a sticker placed on your passport by Canadian immigration officials. It is also called an entry visa or visitor visa. A TRV is granted automatically when the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) approves a study or work permit application that was submitted outside of Canada. A TRV will allow either “single entry” or “multiple entry". It is recommended that you maintain a valid TRV for the duration of your studies, but this is not mandatory as long as you do not attempt to re-enter Canada with a single-entry or expired TRV. Your TRV only needs to be valid when you enter Canada.
If you plan to travel outside of Canada and your original TRV expires before you plan to return, you will need to get a new TRV to travel back to Canada. International students who hold an expired TRV may be allowed back into Canada if they travelled only to the United States and returned directly without visiting any other country.
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International students contribute 22 billion Canadian dollars annually to the economy
International students have long been a significant contributor to Canada's economy. In 2022, international students spent around $37.3 billion on tuition, accommodation, and discretionary items, translating to a $30.9 billion contribution to Canada's GDP, or 1.2% of the country's GDP. This spending directly and indirectly contributed $7.4 billion in tax revenue and supported 361,230 jobs in the Canadian economy.
The economic impact of international students in Canada has grown substantially over the years. Between 2016 and 2022, overall student spending more than doubled, from $15.5 billion to $37.3 billion, with an average annual increase of nearly 16%. This trend continued in 2023, when foreign enrolment in Canada increased by 29%.
The Canadian government's research estimates that international students contribute approximately $22 billion Canadian dollars annually to the country's economy. This contribution has become increasingly important as the number of international students in Canada has grown exponentially. Over the past two decades, the number of study permit holders in Canada has increased more than sixfold, with every province and territory recording positive gains.
The recent changes in Canadian policy regarding international students are indicative of the country's recognition of their economic significance. While there is now a yearly cap on the number of new international students receiving study permits, the government has also introduced measures to support international students during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the two-step study permit approval process, allowing students to begin their studies online.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a study permit is required for international students to enter Canada.
International students also need a valid eTA or TRV to enter Canada.
The PAL is a new requirement for international students applying for a study permit. It must be included in the application for a new study permit.
The Canadian government has announced a yearly cap of 360,000 on the number of new international students who may receive study permits. This is a 35% decrease from the number of permits issued in 2023.
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