British Columbia’s provincial attestation letter (PAL) system has been initiated as of March 4, 2024. International students are now required to include a PAL with their study permit application to demonstrate acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) within the allocated limits. The PALs are issued to institutions by the provincial government, which then distribute them to international applicants.
The province has received a total allocation of 83,000 undergraduate study permit applications from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This allocation is expected to result in approximately 50,000 approved study permit applications for 2024, reflecting a decrease compared to the previous year.
Of the PALs issued, 53% will be for public post-secondary institutions, with the remaining 47% for private institutions. This allocation strategy aims to address the issue of “unsustainable growth,” particularly in private institutions, which experienced a 27% reduction in study permit applications compared to 2023.
British Columbia’s PAL system is the first to be introduced following IRCC’s announcement of a cap on study permits for 2024, limiting new permits to 360,000, a 35% reduction from 2023 levels. The allocation of study permits to provinces is based on population size.
In addition to the cap, IRCC announced changes to the eligibility criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and upcoming adjustments to Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP). These changes are intended to address concerns about the sustainability of Canada’s international student program, including issues related to housing shortages and inadequate support for international students.
British Columbia has implemented its own measures to address the challenges of its international student program, including a pause on approvals for new post-secondary institutions enrolling international students until February 2026. The province also plans to raise standards for approval of private degree programs, introduce minimum language requirements for students at private institutions, and enhance assessment criteria for degree quality and labor market relevance.