Effective March 4, 2024, British Columbia implements the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) system for international students applying for study permits. This new process aligns with the recent cap on study permits introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
What are Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs)?
PALs serve as verification documents issued by the B.C. government to designated learning institutions (DLIs). These institutions then forward the letters to accepted international student applicants. The PAL acts as proof that the student has been accepted by a DLI within its allocated quota for study permit applications.
IRCC’s Study Permit Cap and Allocation
On January 22, 2024, IRCC announced a nationwide cap of 360,000 new study permits for 2024, a significant decrease from 2023 levels. Each province receives an allocation based on population. B.C., as Canada’s third most populous province with approximately 5.6 million residents, has been granted a total allocation of 83,000 undergraduate study permit applications.
Impact on B.C.’s International Student Program
The cap is expected to have a greater impact on private institutions in B.C., which typically have a higher intake of international students. The provincial government anticipates approximately 50,000 approved study permits for 2024 based on historical acceptance rates. This reflects a decrease from the 60,000 permits issued in 2023 for undergraduate programs.
Furthermore, B.C. has implemented additional measures to address concerns about “unsustainable growth” within the provincial international student program. These measures include:
- A pause on approvals for new post-secondary institutions seeking to enroll international students until February 2026.
- Stricter approval standards for private degree programs, focusing on program quality, graduate employability, and adequate student support resources.
- Imposition of new minimum language proficiency requirements for students at private institutions.
Conclusion
The introduction of PALs and stricter provincial regulations aim to streamline the international student application process and ensure a more sustainable model for B.C.’s education system. This aligns with IRCC’s national cap and broader efforts to enhance the overall quality and value of the Canadian international student experience.
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