Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Study Permit Cap: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Updated: October 9, 2024

About Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s Study Permit Cap

On Jan. 22, 2024, the Government of Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that they were setting an intake cap on international student study permit applications for 2024 onward, meaning they will limit the number of Canadian study permits issued this year. The cap was set to approximately 360,000 approved study permits.

The IRCC allocated a portion of the total study permits to each province and territory in Canada. Universities have now received their caps and can start requesting and issuing provincial attestation letters (PALs).

At Laurier, we ensure our international students have the wrap-around supports to adjust to life and studies in Canada and guarantee our first-year undergraduate international students a place in Laurier’s residences.

International students are an important part of the Laurier community, enriching our campuses and classrooms. Welcoming international students fosters global citizenship and intercultural understanding for all Laurier students.

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Glossary of Terms

Curriculum Licensing Program

A postsecondary program taught at a private institution (college or university) that has been given permission to teach the curriculum of an associated public institution (college or university).

Designated Learning Institution

A designated learning institution (DLI) is a school approved by the province or territory to host international students. Laurier is a designated learning institution and our DLI number is O19395164307 (note the DLI# starts with the letter O).

Doctoral Degree

A postsecondary degree that is a graduate-level degree. It may also be called a PhD.

Federal Government

The government body that is responsible for the entire country. The Government of Canada is also called the Federal government.

Master’s Degree

A postsecondary degree that is a graduate-level degree. It is often completed after a student completes an undergraduate degree.

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

A letter that is included with a student’s study permit application. The PAL will serve as proof that the student has been accounted for under a province or territory’s study permit allocation within the national cap. The process to issue it must be in place no later than March 31, 2024.

Provincial Government

The government body that is responsible for the provinces within Canada. There are 10 provinces in Canada and each province has its own provincial government. Laurier is located in the province of Ontario, where the provincial government is the Government of Ontario.

Public Institution

An education institution that receives funding and oversight from the government. Public institutions can be elementary schools, high schools, universities or colleges. Laurier is a public university.

Private Institution

An education institution that does not receive funding from the government. Private institutions can be elementary schools, high schools, universities or colleges.

Province

A province is a division of territory within a country. Canada is a country that is divided into 10 provinces and three territories. Each province in Canada has a government that oversees that particular province. Ontario is one of the provinces in Canada.

Study Permit Allocation

The number of study permits that each province or territory in Canada will be given by the IRCC.

Study Permit Cap

The total number of study permits that the IRCC will issue across Canada, beginning fall 2024.

Territory

A territory is a division of territory within a country. Canada is a country that is divided into 10 provinces and three territories. Each territory in Canada has a government that oversees that particular territory.