IRCC-related information

On September 18, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made an announcement entitled "Strengthening temporary residence programs for sustainable volumes", which included future changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.

At Conestoga, we strive to keep our international students, agents, and other stakeholders informed about crucial changes that could affect study permit applications and PGWP eligibility. Below are key updates and actions required for the upcoming intakes based on the recent announcements from IRCC.

I have just completed my college program and I am about to apply for my PGWP. How will these changes affect me?

This depends on when you apply for your PGWP:

• If you apply for a PGWP before November 1, 2024, you only need to meet the current eligibility criteria.
• If you apply for your PGWP on or after November 1, 2024, in addition to meeting the current eligibility criteria, you must also prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 in French in all 4 language areas.

I am a current student at Conestoga and I have a valid study permit that covers the length of my program. How will these changes affect me?

• Since you are going to apply for your PGWP after November 1, 2024, in addition to meeting the current eligibility criteria, you must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.

I have my acceptance letter from Conestoga and I am going to apply for my study permit. How does the IRCC announcement affect new study permit applicants?

This depends on when you apply for your study permit. 

If you apply for your study permit before November 1, 2024, in the future when you apply for your PGWP:

• You must meet the current eligibility criteria.
• You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.
• You will not be impacted by changes to PGWP eligibility regarding field of study.

If you apply for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024, in the future when you apply for your PGWP:

• You must meet the current eligibility criteria.
• You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.
• You must graduate from an eligible field of study.

What is your advice for students applying for the Winter or Spring 2025 intakes, whether they are new students or students looking to apply to a second program?

• Students who have received Conestoga offer letters (or are planning to apply for Winter or Spring 2025 soon) are strongly advised to submit their study permit application as soon as possible, before November 1, 2024.
• Conestoga has a team in place to expedite the admissions process for international students aiming to submit their study permit applications before the changes take place on November 1, 2024.
• If you apply for your study permit before November 1, 2024, you will not be impacted by changes to PGWP eligibility regarding field of study.

What else do I need to know?

• IRCC has not provided information or clarification about study permit extension applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024. We will continue to share updates as they are received.
• For study permit applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, Conestoga is working to clarify information and create a comprehensive list of programs that align with the PGWP-eligibility requirements established by IRCC.

Where can I find more information and updates about the changes?

• Conestoga will continue to provide updates as more information from IRCC becomes available.
• We encourage students and agents to regularly check the IRCC website and stay informed through Conestoga's communication channels.

Conestoga is committed to supporting students through these changes. With major investments in healthcare, trades, IT, and engineering programs, we aim to provide students with the resources they need to succeed. Please review our updated refund policy and stay informed about upcoming changes to ensure a smooth transition in your academic journey.

At Conestoga College, our commitment is to provide quality education and service excellence to all our students. On January 22, 2024, the Government of Canada made an announcement regarding significant policy changes to the International Student program to stabilize new growth for a period of two years. Please visit the IRCC website for the full announcement. 

We are monitoring the situation closely to assess its impact on our students and the upcoming intakes at Conestoga. IRCC has stated "Current study permit holders will not be affected" and "Study permit renewals will not be impacted". While there is still considerable uncertainty, we are committed to providing you with more information as soon as it becomes available. Please note: the official IRCC website is the best source for information and updates.

Below are the answers to common questions being asked: 

How do I know if I need an Attestation letter and how do I obtain this? 

As of January 22, 2024, most new study permit applications submitted to IRCC will require an Attestation letter from the province. Please visit the IRCC website to learn more about the Attestation letter.

The process for issuing the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for Ontario is now in place. Our team is diligently working through the offers that have been issued. However, due to the recent allocation reductions, policy changes, and program eligibility changes by the government, we are reviewing our capacity and communicating with eligible students regarding their PAL requests. 

Here is the Conestoga Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) request process: 

• Student receives their Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from Conestoga College.
• Student must pay their first-term tuition fee in full.
• Eligible students will then receive a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) request form from Conestoga College to complete.
• On behalf of the student, Conestoga College submits a request for the PAL from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) Ontario.
• MCU Ontario reviews and approves the PAL, then forwards the approved PAL to Conestoga College.
• Conestoga College uploads the approved PAL to the OCAS portal and notifies the student by email.
• The student then applies for the study permit and includes the PAL as part of the application.

Students in Canada applying for a study permit extension do not require an attestation letter. 

What are the new eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program?

Based on the January 22, 2024 IRCC announcement:

• Effective September 1, 2024, students who attend a private college that has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college will no longer be eligible for a PGWP. Note: Conestoga is a public college and a designated learning institution (DLI) with no private partnerships. Therefore, this change will not impact Conestoga College programs.
• Effective February 5, 2024, individuals who complete a master's or doctoral degree and meet all the requirements could be eligible for a three-year PGWP, even if the length of the program is less than 2 years. Note: Conestoga does not currently offer master's or doctoral degree programs.

Please refer to the IRCC website for important updates and information regarding changes to the PGWP program.

Who is eligible for a spouse open work permit?

• Eligibility is limited to the spouses and common-law partners of international students in graduate (master's and doctorate) and professional degree-granting programs only. Refer to Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada for more information about applying for an open work permit (effective March 19, 2024).
• Spouses and common-law partners of international students seeking to extend their existing work permit will continue to be eligible under this stream.

Who is not eligible for an open work permit? 

Spouses and common-law partners of international students in undergraduate and college programs will no longer be eligible for an open work permit, unless they already hold an open work permit under this stream.  

What type of immigration support and advising are available at Conestoga?    

You may contact an International Student Immigration Advisor (ISIA) to help you understand Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rules and regulations. ISIAs are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) who provide immigration-related information.   

• You can book an ISIA appointment to talk one-on-one, attend their drop-in hours, or join a Zoom Q&A session.
• To find the ISIA associated with your campus, use this online tool.
• Visit international events for a list of upcoming ISIA workshops and information sessions.
• You can also email internationaladvisor@conestogac.on.ca.

Conestoga College is committed to supporting you during this time. We anticipate that IRCC will provide more clarity and additional information soon to help students and their institutions navigate these changes. Both Conestoga College and the various levels of our federal and provincial governments value the addition of international students to our learning communities and support the success of the International Student Program.   

We recognize that this announcement may have caused some concern for our students, and we assure you that we are actively seeking clarity and instruction from IRCC for next steps moving forward. We will provide you with accurate and updated information as soon as it becomes available.   

If you need further support, please connect with: 

International Admissions

For general information about the admissions process, email internationaladmissions@conestogac.on.ca. 

International Student Immigration Advisors (ISIAs) *

• For help with immigration and IRCC-related questions, email internationaladvisor@conestogac.on.ca.
• To find the ISIA associated with your campus, use this online tool.
• Book an ISIA appointment through the Student Success Portal.

International Transition Coordinators (ITCs) *

• For help with student arrivals, transition, housing, and general college services and supports, email internationaltransition@conestogac.on.ca.
• Book an ITC appointment through the Student Success Portal.

Conestoga College Counselling Services

Students requiring health, wellness, academic or career supports are invited to use the Ask for Help form to connect with other college resources.    

*Please note: our teams do not have any additional information about the IRCC announcement specifically, other than what has been presented here and in the official announcement.

Effective January 1, 2024, until April 30, 2024, the following two eligibility requirements must be met to work off campus more than 20 hours per week during an academic term:  

1. Students must be eligible to work off campus and
2. Students must have submitted their study permit application (initial or extension) before December 7, 2023.

Note

Students who applied for a study permit on or before Dec. 7, 2023, but submitted a study permit extension after December 7, 2023, can work off campus more than 20 hours per week during their academic session up until whichever of the following dates comes first:  

1. Expiration of study permit associated with the application submitted to IRCC on or before December 7, 2023, or
2. April 30, 2024, the end of the temporary policy period

Students who submitted their initial study permit application after December 7, 2023 do not qualify for any of the temporary policies and are not eligible to work off campus for more than 20 hours per week during the academic session.

Sources

Applications submitted on or before October 7, 2022 - Amended temporary public policy to lift the limitation that eligible study permit holders can work without a work permit no more than 20 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions       

Applications submitted between October 8, 2022 and December 7, 2023 - Second temporary public policy to lift the limitation that eligible study permit holders can work without a work permit no more than 20 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions       

For details, please visit Work off campus as an international student, or contact your assigned International Student Immigration Advisor (ISIA).

Important reminders for international students

1. As an international student, you are still expected to comply with the conditions of your study permit, actively pursue your program of study, and make reasonable academic progress.
2. Your studies remain the priority. Make sure you attend classes regularly and submit assignments on time. Failing courses may negatively affect your current eligibility to work, as well as your future eligibility for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
   • Use the Work Eligibility Self-assessment Tool WESAT to determine your eligibility to work.
3. To benefit from this temporary rule, international students must still meet all the requirements for off-campus work.
4. Students who have a reduced workload and are therefore considered registered as part-time remain ineligible to work on or off campus. Exception: If you are in your final term of your program and do not require a full course load to complete your program AND you have maintained full-time status for all previous terms.
5. Students that have elected to take a break from studies are ineligible to work during their break.

On May 4, 2023, the IRCC provided further clarification on the temporary policy that allows some students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus during the academic sessions, granted they meet all the eligibility requirements.

1. Students who applied for their current study permit (initial or extension) on or before October 7, 2022:

• are eligible to work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions, up until the expiry date on their current study permit or December 31, 2023, whichever of these dates comes first.

2. Students who submitted the application for their current study permit before October 7, 2022, and who subsequently applied for a study permit extension after October 7, 2022:

• are eligible to work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions, up until the expiry date on their current study permit or December 31, 2023, whichever of these dates comes first.
  • If the IRCC approves the study permit extension before the current study permit has expired, the student can continue to work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions up until the expiry date on their current study permit.
  • If the current study permit expires in 2024, the student can work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions until December 31, 2023.

3. Students who applied for their current study permit after October 7, 2022:

• are not eligible to work over 20 hours per week off campus during their academic sessions.

For details, please visit Work off campus as an international student, or contact your assigned International Student Immigration Advisor (ISIA).  

Temporary residence IRCC applications submitted within Canada on or after February 23, 2023 require biometrics (unless otherwise exempt).  

The temporary policy exempting applicants from within Canada from providing their biometrics has been revoked. Students and their family members must now include valid biometrics in all IRCC applications submitted from within Canada, including study permit extension applications, CWP applications, PGWP applications, and Spouse Open Work Permit applications.       

Note: You only need to provide your biometrics once every 10 years. If you have already included your biometrics in a previous IRCC application, you can Find out if your biometrics are still valid.  

Source: Program delivery update: Removal of the public policy exempting foreign nationals in Canada applying for temporary residence from biometrics - Canada.ca 

From September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2024

• Students must complete at least 50% of their program from within Canada. Those classes can be completed online or in-person.
• Time spent studying in your program while residing outside of Canada will not be deducted from the total duration of the PGWP, as long as it represents less than 50% of the total length of the program.

From September 1, 2024 onwards

• The temporary policy regarding PGWP eligibility requirements and distance learning will expire.
• Students must complete at least 50% of their program from within Canada and in-person on campus.
• Time spent studying outside of Canada will be deducted from the total length of the PGWP.

For more information, visit the IRCC website or book an appointment with your International Student Immigration Advisor.

This update may interest students who are planning to take a leave from studies. 

On January 10, 2022, IRCC added new information that affects Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications when international students take a leave from their studies. 

What hasn't changed: International students are allowed to take a leave from studies, if such leave is authorized by the college and it isn't longer than 150 days. 

What's new: From now on, PGWP applications will have to include documentation from the college proving authorization for taking the leave in their application.

For more information, visit Post-graduation work permit - Eligibility.  

Students planning to take a leave from studies must contact their International Student Immigration Advisor (ISIA) first to find out what steps they need to follow, the implications of taking a leave from studies and what to do if they plan to be away from their studies for more than 150 days.