Immigration Updates for International Students

Page updated: November 21, 2024

Immigration Update: Off-Campus Work Hours

On November 15, 2024, the Canadian government announced changes to off-campus work hours for international students. Effective November 8, 2024, international students who qualify for off-campus work while enrolled in their program of study, are eligible to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions (Fall and Winter terms). Check if you are eligible to work off-campus here.

On-campus work is not counted towards the 24 hour per week off-campus work limit. All other rules related to working on campus and working off campus remain the same.

PAL and PGWP Updates

On September 18, 2024, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship announced additional changes to Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirements and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility. These changes follow other changes that were announced earlier in 2024.  For a summary of those earlier changes, refer to the “Provincial Attestation Letter and Study Permit Updates” section below. 

As per the most recent government announcement:

• Beginning November 1, 2024, Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications will include a language proficiency requirement. Applicants must submit proof of English or French language proficiency (e.g. standardized test score) as part of their PGWP application. University graduates will require a Canadian Language Benchmark (or equivalent) score of 7 or higher. Approved language proficiency tests: CELPIP (General), IELTS (General Training), PTE Core, TEF (Canada), TFC Canada. Test scores are valid for 2 years from the time of testing.

• Beginning January 1, 2025, students in the following groups will require a PAL:
  • Students applying to a Dalhousie program that is longer than 6 months in duration, regardless of the credential (e.g. certificate, diploma, Undergraduate degree, Master’s degree, or Doctoral degree).
  • Current study permit holders who move from one Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to another DLI (e.g. Dalhousie).
  • Current study permit holders who move from a Canadian high school to a Canadian college or university.
  • Students who apply to extend an existing study permit because they are transitioning from one degree program to another degree program at the same DLI (e.g. undergraduate to Master’s).

• Beginning January 1, 2025, the following students will NOT require a PAL:
  • Exchange students who come to Dalhousie for one OR two semesters.

For a full list of which groups do and do not require a PAL (before and after January 1, 2025), visit the New Student Immigration Information page on the International Centre website.

More details about the most recent government announcement will be posted on the Immigration, Citizenship, & Citizenship Canada website later this fall. The Working in Canada page  and Studying in Canada page on the International Centre website will continue to be updated accordingly.

Post-Graduation Work Permit Applications at the Border No Longer Permitted 

On June 21, 2024, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications can no longer be processed at a Canadian port-of-entry (e.g. border). This effectively ends what has been unofficially referred to as “flag-poling.” All PGWP applications must now be submitted online. Most graduates can begin working as soon as their PGWP application is submitted, if they have met all the PGWP eligibility requirements. For detailed instructions and guides on how to apply for your PGWP online, please visit the Work in Canada After You Graduate page on the Government of Canada website.

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) and Study Permit Updates

On January 22, 2024, the Government of Canada announced changes that affect the study permit application process for some new international students Students who are affected by this change are now required to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) with their study permit application.  

The new PAL system represents an effort by the Canadian government to more sustainably manage the growth of international student numbers across Canada. Each Canadian province and territory has been allocated a maximum number of PALs that can be issued on an annual basis. In turn, educational institutions within each province and territory have also been allocated a maximum number of PALs that can be issued to new international students. 

The new PAL system has resulted in changes to the application and acceptance process at Dalhousie. It has also resulted in changes to the study permit application process. Please refer to the New Student Immigration Information page to learn if/how the new application processes may affect you.