IRCC Study Permit Changes
Changes to the study permit application process for IPP and ELP students
Effective January 22, 2024, the federal government announced caps on the number of study permits to be issued to each province. As part of these new regulations, the Government of Canada requires that all new study permit applicants need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province in which they intend to study.
Do I require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) letter?
| Your Status | Attestation Letter |
|---|---|
| I have a study permit | Exempt. No attestation letter is required. |
| I applied for my study permit before Jan 22, 2024 | Exempt. No attestation letter is required. |
| I am extending my current study permit | Exempt. No attestation letter is required. |
| My program of study is less than 6 months long (eTA and TRV) | Not applicable. No attestation letter is required. |
| I have not yet applied for a study permit | Required. Delay your study permit application until the attestation letter process has been determined. |
Spousal open work permits
Prior to the recent changes from the IRCC, spouses of students in the International Professional Programs have been eligible for open work permits.
Under the new regulations, the program streams that are part of the IPP are considered post-diploma graduate programs at the undergraduate level and no longer qualify spouses of our students for open work permits.
For more information
For the latest updates from the University of Calgary, please see Applying for your study permit from International Student Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain an attestation letter from the Government of Alberta?
Upon registration and payment in your program (IPP or ELP), the University of Calgary will request your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of Alberta. Once your PAL is available, Continuing Education will notify you via the email address we have on file. You will then be able to upload your PAL as part of your study permit application. This process is expected to begin the week of March 4, 2024.
Are the International Professional Programs (IPP) still eligible for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP)?
Yes, the IPP remains eligible for post-graduate work permits, as it does not fall under any public-private partnerships (PPP).
The University of Calgary is a public institution which is a registered Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Will my spouse be eligible for an open work permit?
No, our International Professional Programs are considered post-diploma graduate programs at the undergraduate level and do not qualify the spouses of students for the open work permit that has been previously available.
Our English Language Programs are ESL/FSL programs, and the spouses of students do not qualify for open work permits.
I am a current IPP student and wish to extend my study permit for a second one-year program. Do I need to get a letter of attestation?
No, current students who are looking to extend their study permits do not require a letter of attestation.