Finding your way through the complicated steps of international schooling in Canada can be fun and hard at the same time. Recently made changes to the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) system will have a big impact on foreign students who want to study in British Columbia.
Since March 4, 2024, British Columbia has made big changes to its PAL system. This is a very important time for foreign students who want to go to school in the province. Under the new rules, foreign students applying for a study permit must include a PAL. This is proof that they have been accepted by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in the province.
A very important part of this process is the PAL allocation method. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has given British Columbia a total of 83,000 applications for student study permits for the year 2024. This distribution is based on a strategic balance that aims to meet the needs of the growing number of foreign students while also ensuring the province’s long-term growth and resource allocation.
When you look at the current allocation and compare it to past years, you can see how the landscape of international education in British Columbia has changed. There were 97,000 applications for study permits for undergraduate programs in the province in 2023, and about 60,000 were accepted. The change in allocation for 2024 shows that everyone is working together to deal with the problems caused by unsustainable growth. This includes private schools, which will get 27% fewer study permit applications than the previous year.
The PAL system in British Columbia sets an example for other provinces to follow. In 2024, IRCC will limit the amount of study permits it gives out. This cap, which was announced on January 22, 2023, means that only 360,000 new study passes will be given out each year. This is 35% less than what was allowed in 2023. The cap does not affect renewals of study permits or advanced degrees, but it is a strategic move to make immigration policies more in line with population growth and resource sharing.
Along with these changes, the requirements for getting a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) have been changed, and changes will soon be made to the requirements for getting a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). Notably, SOWP eligibility for spouses or partners of foreign students pursuing undergraduate degrees is being looked at again. This is part of a larger effort to make sure that immigration policies work and last.
Because Immigration Minister Marc Miller was worried about the long-term viability of Canada’s foreign student program, these steps were taken. With more than a million active study permits in 2023, there is an urgent need to handle housing shortages and make sure that international students have a good time at school. The cap is meant to hold schools accountable for putting quantity over quality, to improve education and help foreign students all over the country.
These efforts are backed up in British Columbia by extra steps meant to improve quality control and oversight in the province’s program for foreign students. Putting in place minimum language requirements for students at private schools shows a dedication to academic success and student readiness, and sets a standard for education in the province.
As immigration lawyers, it’s our job to keep up with these changes so we can help our clients understand how foreign education in Canada is changing. By knowing how the PAL system works and what it means for potential students, we can give them personalized help and advice to make the move into British Columbia’s lively academic community go more smoothly.
