Our Partners Camacho Immigration, An active member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), an active member of CAPIC (Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants), and appointed as a commissioner to take affidavits in the province of Ontario, Canada, she shares these thoughts on the changes in the education sector in 2024: 

• By 2024, the cap is expected to translate into approximately 360,000 approved study permits, representing a 35% decrease compared to 2023.

• Another change is that a single student visa applicant will have to demonstrate that they have $20,635 in funds, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel expenses. This change will apply to new student visa applications received on or after January 1, 2024.

• Beginning January 22, 2024, most new international post-secondary undergraduate or university-level students must provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from a province or territory with their study permit application. This certificate will serve as proof that the student has been included in a provincial or territorial allocation within the national maximum limit. Immigration Canada (IRCC) has asked provinces and territories to have a plan in place to issue PALs by March 31, 2024. 

• From 15 February 2024, it will be possible to apply for a longer, three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This will be available to those graduating from a Master's program of less than two years who meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria. The duration of PGWPs for non-Master's programs will continue to be tied to the length of the program of study, up to a maximum of three years.

• Some provinces allow public colleges to license their curriculum to an affiliated private college. In these cases, students physically attend a private college but graduate with a diploma from a public institution. Now, with these 2024 reforms, IRCC has introduced a change to restrict Postgraduate Work Permits (PGWPs) for these public-private partnership institutions, anticipating that without the possibility of applying for a PGWP, there will be a reduction in the number of international students enrolling in them and a greater incentive to enroll in schools without these agreements.

• From January 22, 2024, spouses or partners of students pursuing postgraduate studies (master's and doctoral degrees) and spouses or partners of international students who wish to extend their current work permit (who are already in Canada with an open work permit as a dependent of an international student) can obtain an open work permit.

For more information, we invite you to visit their website: http://www.camachoimmigration.com 

Carolina Camacho | R713043

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant-IRB

Commissioner for taking Affidavits appointed by the province of Ontario