The provincial government of Ontario declares its international study permit allocation plan public, allocating 96% of the permits to public colleges and universities. Other institutions, including language schools and private colleges, will be granted the remaining permits.
This afternoon, the Ontario government issued a press release announcing its decision to distribute study permits predominantly to public university postsecondary education programs. The objective of this strategic emphasis is to give precedence to graduate education for sought-after positions that align with the standards of the labor market in Ontario.
The implementation of this distribution scheme will render professional colleges, which predominantly consist of private institutions, unable to consider study permit applications from international students. It is crucial to emphasize this point because professional colleges are predominantly private institutions.
Following the declaration rendered today, the province of Ontario has opted to issue study permits to international students, placing special emphasis on programs situated in several “high-demand areas.” Occupations that are encompassed within this classification include human resources in the healthcare industry, childcare, hospitality, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as specialized trades. This strategic allocation demonstrates the government’s dedication to addressing critical requirements in these sectors through the alignment of educational prospects with the ever-evolving demands of the labor market.
Check Also: Big Changes to Canada PGWP 2024 – No More Work Permits
Ontario Unveiled its Study Permit Distribution Plan
Ontario unveils its allocation plan for overseas study permits
Employers have emphasized the need for French-proficient personnel, and the province of Ontario has declared that enrollment in French-language programs will be given priority for the issuance of study permits. In the press release that was issued today, the following information regarding the distribution of research permits in Ontario for the year 2024 is also included:
- Academic institutions will be limited to issuing study permits no further than what was issued. In addition, the allocation of international permits by an institution cannot surpass 55% of its initial domestic enrollment(excluding high-demand locations).
- Except Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, the study permit application numbers for all public universities in Ontario will remain unchanged. Admissions to Algoma University will be reduced compared to the prior year.
- Eleven of the twenty-four public colleges in Ontario will maintain test permit application levels. Notably, the steepest decline in application volume will occur at Conestoga College, which is comprised of public-private partnerships.
Understanding Ontario’s Allocation of International Study Permits
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a directive at the start of this year that limited the number of study permits available to international students enrolled in Canada for the 2024-2025 academic year. Ultimately, the directive resulted in the development of this notification.
The central objective of the determination rendered by the International Relations and Cooperation Council (IRCC) is foreign undergraduates. This category does not consist of elementary and secondary school students, nor does it include individuals pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees.
As per the IRCC’s determination to restrict the number of research permits for the subsequent biennium, this communication about the distribution of the permits has been issued. To provide further clarification, the department’s focus is specifically directed toward frequently Asked Questions: undergraduate-level international students. Primary and secondary education enrollment is prohibited for international students by the International Relations and Cooperation Council (IRCCΠ). Furthermore, individuals in the process of pursuing a doctoral or master’s degree are ineligible.
Comparing Ontario’s Study Permit Allocations to Other Provinces
In contrast, regarding the allocation of study permit quotas, the province of Ontario exhibits a pronounced predilection that benefits public universities. For example, the distribution of DLIs in British Columbia was nearly identical between private (47%) and public (53%) postsecondary institutions. This resulted in the province having the second-highest rate of DLIs, after Ontario. Based on the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills’ projections, it is anticipated that by 2024, the province of British Columbia will be inundated with 83,000 applications seeking undergraduate study permits.
The province of Ontario has not published as of yet the data concerning the total number of study permit applications received by the federal government this year. As required by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada regulations, Ontario is anticipated to have the highest study permit quota of any Canadian province or territory due to its tremendous population. This prognosis is predicated on the demographic characteristics of Ontario.
Obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in Ontario.
In the coming days, the Ontario government is expected to formally declare the introduction of its PAL issuance system. The federal government has mandated that all provinces and territories establish a procedure by March 31st to facilitate the provision of PALs to international students. It is anticipated that every province and territory adhere to this deadline.
International students who desire to study in Ontario should contact their preferred institution for more information on how to obtain the document, per the provincial government. As per the consolidated application agency for Ontario colleges, the Ontario College Application Agency (OCAS), international students will not be obligated to submit a direct application for PALs. As representatives of the students, OCAS coordinates the process. The application will be submitted on their behalf to the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities by the selected DLI. After compiling the PAL and approving the application, the DLI will provide international students with a copy of the letter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What’s the latest study permit update in Canada?
According to the IRCC, the changes, including the study permit cap and attestation letter process, were implemented. A cap of 360,000 study permit approvals will enforce a restriction on the number of permits granted.
What is the new work permit policy in Canada?
International students who begin a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a postgraduation work permit upon graduation.
Is Canada good for international students?
The enrollment of students to study in Canada will decrease dramatically and it is predicted to decrease by approximately 35% in 2024. The process to get higher education in Canada has become more complicated and challenging as compared, but it is still possible.
