As announced on January 22nd IRCC Imposes Study Permit Cap for 2024 Applicants. The IRCC said in particular ministerial instructions that it will review up to 606,250 applications for study permits annually. Unlike the previously indicated maximum of 360,000 study permit approvals, this cap is a regulatory action taken by the IRCC in preparation for the 2024 application cycle.
With a possible impact on potential applicants, this action by the IRCC highlights how crucial it is to comprehend the precise cap set for study visa applications in 2024. Those who are navigating the immigration procedure need to be aware of these regulation changes in order to submit a successful application.
The total number of study permit applications that will be taken into consideration for the whole year 2024 is now specified in the instructions that IRCC has provided. In essence, regardless of the specific results for each application, the IRCC has established a cap of 606,250 study permit applications to be handled over the course of the next 11 months.
Furthermore, a clause in these guidelines authorizes future modifications to the maximum number of study permits that are approved for processing. It says specifically that the 606,250 applicant ceiling could be adjusted “in accordance with any subsequent instructions the minister may provide.” This implies that the minister reserves the right to adjust the latter number in the event that the IRCC is unable to submit 360,000 approved study permit applications within the allotted processing limit of 606,250 applicants. As a result, the procedure becomes more flexible and could be modified at the minister’s discretion.
Study Permit Application Numbers in 2024 vs. 2023
Data obtained from Canada’s open government data portal indicates that 579,075 applications for study permits were approved in 2023 between January and November. This acceptance percentage—which came from 814,317 applications the department processed overall in the same time frame—was 71%.
The limits shown for 2024 represent significant declines in research permit application approval rates as well as processing volume when compared to the numbers for approved and processed applications in 2023.
Understanding the Functioning of the New Study Permit Cap
The 360,000 research permit approval cap that was recently implemented will be divided among Canada’s provinces according to population size. This allocation system, which is expected to benefit the most populous provinces—Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia—reflects a relationship between permit quotas and population size.
An attestation letter mechanism will be put in place to operationalize this new policy. A letter of acceptance (LOA) from the designated learning institution (DLI) of their choice as well as an attestation letter from the province in which the DLI is located are required to be provided to prospective study permit applicants. This two-document requirement is intended to simplify the application procedure and be consistent with the population-based distribution model for the provinces.
As per the latest ministerial directives, it is now mandatory for attestation letters to be written and approved by the province or territory administration. These letters are proof that the applicant for a study permit has been allotted a space within the province or territory’s specified study permit approval cap. According to the ministerial guidelines, in order for these attestation letters to be accepted, the applicant’s complete name, birthdate, and address must be included.
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