Immigration Updates & Announcements

Background

On January 22, 2024, IRCC announced a number of immigration changes designed to protect international students and promote sustainable population growth in Canada. 

As part of these announcements, IRCC introduced the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) as a required document for most study permit applications made from outside of Canada. When announced, applicants applying to study in a master's or doctoral degree were exempt from this requirement.  

Effective January 22, 2025, most study permit applicants (from inside and outside Canada) will require a PAL to be included in their application. Learn more.

IRCC has now expanded the PAL requirement to those: 

• Applying to study in a graduate level program (master's or doctoral degree)
• Changing Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) or level of study inside Canada
  • Level of study categories include: 1) Primary and secondary education  2) Post-secondary education (including undergraduate programs) and 3) Graduate education or above

Important: If you are changing programs at uLethbridge and think you may need a PAL, please book an appointment to speak with an International Student Advisor.  

The following student groups do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): 

• Those applying to study at a primary or secondary school (from kindergarten up to grade 12)
• Exchange students applying to study under an exchange agreement between your home institution and a designated learning institution
• Current study permit holders applying for a study permit extension to continue their studies at the same DLI and at the same level of study

If you require a PAL to apply for your study permit, once you accept your Offer of Admission and pay your tuition deposit, the Admissions office will request a PAL to the Government of Alberta on your behalf. Once Admissions receives your PAL, they will issue your Letter of Acceptance and PAL through MyCreds and sent to your @uleth.ca email address. This process takes 5-7 business days. Delay your study permit application until you receive your PAL unless you are exempt from that requirement.

Please access this inbox in advance so you can retrieve your certified and secure study permit application supporting documents (LOA and PAL) once Admissions issues them to you. If you have any issues setting up your Webmail, review the account help page.

Effective January 21, 2025, only spouses/partners of certain international students and foreign workers will be eligible to apply for a family OWP. Learn more.

• Family members of international students updated eligibility
• Family members of foreign workers updated eligibility

Effective December 23, 2024, work and study permits will no longer be provided to "flagpolers" at a port of entry (POE). Learn more. 

Effective November 8, 2024, IRCC increased the number of hours eligible study permit holders can work, from 20 to 24 hours/week during regular academic terms. Learn more. 

Effective November 15, 2024, IRCC updated the process for international students changing their educational institution (DLI). Learn more. 

As of November 8, 2024, study permit holders must be enrolled in the DLI named on their study permit. If you are changing DLIs, review the IRCC website for instructions specific to your situation.  

If you are transferring to the University of Lethbridge from another DLI in Canada, please contact the International Student Advisors for assistance. 

Effective November 8, 2024, the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) are closed to new applications. SDS or NSE applications received before 2:00pm EST on November 8, 2024 will still be processed. Learn more. 

SDS or NSE study permit applications submitted on or after 2:00pm EST on November 8, 2024 will be processed under the regular study permit stream.

IRCC has extended a temporary public policy until October 5, 2029, that exempts certain low-risk, in-Canada foreign nationals from needing an additional immigration medical examination (IME) as part of their new application.

You may be exempt from completing another IME if you meet all of these conditions:

• you applied or are applying for either permanent residence or temporary residence
• you already live in Canada
• you completed your previous IME in the last 5 years
• your previous IME indicated a low risk or no risk to public health or public safety

If you completed an IME within 5 years of submitting your new application, include the IME number/e-Medical print out from your previous IME in your new application. Learn more.

Background

On January 22, 2024, IRCC announced a number of immigration changes designed to protect international students and promote sustainable population growth in Canada. As part of these efforts, Canada introduced the Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) for study permit applicants and set an intake cap on international student permit applications for a period of two years. 

As part of these announcements, starting February 14, 2024, graduates of master’s degree programs that are 8 months or longer (not including certificate or diploma programs), will be eligible to apply for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit.

As of November 1, 2024, all Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applicants must include proof of English or French language proficiency in their application. Learn more.

• For university students, a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in English, or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) 7 in French is required.
• Language test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of the PGWP application. You can use your test results to find your CLB/NCLC language level.  

Additionally, IRCC announced that as of November 1, 2024, students who apply for a study permit for a certificate or diploma program (including graduate certificates and diplomas) at a University must meet a field of study requirement to be eligible for the PGWP after program completion. Learn more. 

• For university graduates with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree, there are no field of study requirements to apply for the PGWP.  
• For all other university programs, you must have graduated in an eligible field of study to apply for the PGWP. 

Important: If you need help understanding these changes, please book an appointment to speak with an International Student Advisor.  

On August 23, 2024, Canada announced the extension of CUAET measures in response to the continued invasion of Ukraine. These measures have been extended until March 31, 2025. Learn more. 

Under these extended measures, Ukrainians and their family members, who had a CUAET application approved before February 4, 2024, and who arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, can apply: 

• For a new open work permit (valid for up to 3 years)
• For an extension of their current open work permit
• For a new study permit

Note: These applications are subject to standard application fees. 

If you are eligible to apply under these measures, please contact the International Student Advisors for assistance. 

On February 29, 2024, Canada announced the extension of the Iranian special measures in response to the ongoing situation in Iran. The measures have been extended until February 28, 2025. Learn more. 

Under these extended special measures, Iranian nationals in Canada with valid temporary resident status don't have to pay application or biometric fees when they apply:

• To extend their current status
• To change their temporary resident status (for example, from a visitor to a student)  
• For an additional open work permit or study permit

If you are eligible to apply under these measures, please contact the International Student Advisors for assistance. 

On December 7, 2023, IRCC announced an increase to the the minimum financial requirement for study permit applicants so that international students are more financially prepared for life in Canada.  

Starting January 1, 2024, a single applicant will need to show they have a minimum of $20,635 CAD funds available (not including tuition) to cover living expenses and travel costs while they are studying in Canada. Learn more.