New Study Permit Allocations

Beginning in January 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced an annual cap on the number of study permits issued to international students. This measure was implemented to better manage the growth of the international student population and to help ensure that educational institutions and local communities have the capacity to support incoming students.

As a result, provinces and territories receive a limited number of study permit allocations each year, which they distribute among eligible Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). Consequently, each institution is subject to a limit on the number of international students it can admit under the allocation assigned to it. Prospective students should be aware that these allocation limits may affect admission opportunities, particularly for highly competitive institutions and programs.

To support a study permit application under the new allocation system, most international students are also required to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL). This document confirms that the applicant has been included within the province’s or territory’s study permit allocation and is generally required before IRCC will process the study permit application.

The PAL or TAL is typically issued after the student has received a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution. In most cases, the educational institution coordinates the issuance of the attestation letter with the provincial or territorial government and provides it to the student for inclusion in their study permit application.

It is important to note that not all applicants are required to submit a PAL or TAL. Certain categories of students may be exempt, including some master’s and doctoral students, primary and secondary school students, and other groups identified by IRCC. Applicants should consult the latest IRCC guidelines or confirm their eligibility with their chosen institution before submitting a study permit application.

Although obtaining a Letter of Acceptance and a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter is an essential part of the application process, they do not guarantee approval of a study permit. IRCC will assess each application individually based on the applicant’s eligibility, financial capacity, admissibility, and compliance with Canadian immigration requirements.