Ontario’s recent announcement regarding the distribution of Provincial Attestation Letters has stirred up controversy, particularly among students and educational institutions. With a staggering 96% of the allocation slated for students enrolled in public colleges and universities, ‘careers colleges’ find themselves without any allocation whatsoever.
This decision comes on the heels of Minister Miller’s imposition of a cap on the number of study permits processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) starting in January 2024. The aim is to curtail the approval of study permit applications for the years 2024 and 2025.
Under this cap, each province and territory receives a designated portion based on its population size. The objective is to more evenly distribute international students across Canada. For Ontario, which boasts the highest number of international students in the country, this means a drastic reduction of around 50% in its intake.
In light of these developments, the Ontario government has outlined its strategy for distributing its allocated cap among the various educational institutions within the province.
Key Points
- Starting January 2024, study permit applicants must obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to secure a study permit in Canada. The PAL confirms that there is available space within the provincial cap for that particular student.
- Ontario will allocate 96% of its annual cap to international students planning to study at public colleges and universities.
- Ontario institutions must ensure that their international student enrollment does not surpass 55% of their first-year domestic enrollment in 2023.
- Priority within public colleges and universities will be given to programs with high demand, such as skilled trades, childcare, STEM, hospitality and human resources, as well as French language studies.
- The remaining 4% of PALs will be distributed among language schools, private universities, and unspecified “other institutions.”
- Career colleges, which offer career-specific, outcome-based programs, will not receive any allocation from the cap.
Why Ontario emphasis on public universities and colleges?
Ontario’s focus on public institutions is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of its postsecondary education system while aligning international student enrollment with the province’s labor market demands. Jill Dunlop, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges and Universities, underscores the importance of this strategy.
What does this mean for prospective students looking to study in Ontario?
For those aspiring to study in Canada as international students, directing your applications toward public colleges and universities can heighten your chances of obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
However, if you have your heart set on attending a language school or private university, exploring options outside Ontario could improve your prospects of securing a PAL and subsequently obtaining a study permit.
If the uncertainty surrounding PAL issuance feels overwhelming, consider pursuing Masters and Doctoral level studies, which presently do not require a PAL.
How can international students bound for Ontario obtain a PAL?
Ontario has yet to release details regarding the process of acquiring a Provincial Attestation Letter. The province has until March 31st, 2024, to establish a system for handling these requests. In the interim, students in need of a PAL should reach out to the admissions office of their chosen postsecondary institution.
Will these adjustments affect international students currently studying in Ontario?
No, if you have already obtained your study permit and are enrolled in a postsecondary institution in Ontario, these recent changes will not interfere with your ability to pursue your studies in the province.
Related resource
https://www.cicnews.com/2024/03/breaking-ontario-announces-distribution-of-allocation-for-international-study-permits-in-2024-0343680.html#gs.73rglr
