IRCC-related information

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. While there is still considerable uncertainty, we are committed to providing you with more information as soon as it becomes available. Updates to information on this page will be provided on an ongoing basis.  

For now, below are the answers to several questions that have been asked so far:  

I am a current student at Conestoga; how does the new announcement impact me?   

The latest IRCC announcement stated that "Current study permit holders will not be affected," and "Study permit renewals will not be impacted."

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

As of January 22, 2024, each study permit application 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.

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

I have applied for the May 2024 intake, and I submitted my study permit application prior to January 22, 2024. Is there anything I need to do considering this new announcement?   

Study permit applications submitted prior to January 22, 2024, should continue to be processed by IRCC. Please wait for the IRCC decision on your study permit application. 

May 2024 applicants who submitted their study permit prior to January 22, 2024, do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please wait for the IRCC decision on your study permit application. If you already have one of the following documents (Visa Stamp, POE / Letter of Introduction, Visa Approval Letter, or Study Permit), we encourage you to start your Conestoga registration process. Please visit our website to learn about the registration process and follow the steps required to complete your registration and access your timetable. Timetables will be released April 15, 2024. 

May 2024 applicants who did not submit their study permit application prior to January 22, 2024, the college will not be issuing Provincial Attestation Letters due to the short timeline before the start of May 2024 classes. You can defer your application to a future intake through the International OCAS Portal. Kindly review the Conestoga College Deferral Guide (pdf) for more information. We are dedicated to supporting you throughout this time. Please do not hesitate to contact our International Admissions team with any questions about the deferral process. 

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

• Starting 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.
• Graduates of master's degree programs will soon be eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit. Note: Conestoga does not currently offer master's degree programs.
• On February 5, 2024, a new announcement from IRCC stated "graduates of programs that are at least two years in length at PGWP-eligible designated learning institutions are eligible for a 3-year PGWP, as are graduates of master's degree programs less than 2 years in length".

Who is eligible for an 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?   

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 information.  

• Visit international events for a list of upcoming immigration-related workshops and information sessions.
• For help with immigration and IRCC-related questions, email internationaladvisor@conestogac.on.ca.
• To find the ISIA associated with your program and campus, visit this online tool.
  

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 through 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 are impacted by any of these changes and 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 program and campus visit this online tool.
• Book an appointment with an ISIA 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 appointment with an ITC 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 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 requirements.

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.