Express Entry and Study Permit Changes

Summary#

• The Canada Gazette publishes two immigration instructions signed by Marc Miller, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration on June 26, 2024.
• One change updates what information is collected from candidates in the Express Entry system. The other sets new rules for some study permit applications: applicants must have a provincial or territorial attestation letter, and a maximum of 606,250 applications will be accepted for processing over one year starting January 22, 2024, at 8:30 EST.

What it does#

• Ministerial Instructions Amending the Ministerial Instructions Respecting the Express Entry System, 2024-2

  • Adds new questions to Express Entry profiles asking:
    • whether the candidate currently lives in Canada and, if so, which province;
    • the province where their work experience was gained;
    • whether they studied in Canada and, if so, the province and, if applicable, the designated learning institution number as defined in the regulations.
  • These changes took effect the day the instructions were given (June 26, 2024).

• Ministerial Instructions with respect to the processing of certain applications for a study permit made by a foreign national as a member of the student class

  • Requires a provincial or territorial attestation letter before certain new study permit applications will be accepted for processing. The attestation must include the applicant’s full name, date of birth, and address.
  • Only 606,250 study permit applications within the scope of these instructions will be accepted for processing for one year beginning January 22, 2024, at 8:30 EST. Applications received after that cap is reached will not be accepted and fees will be returned.
  • Study permit applications received at or after January 22, 2024, at 8:30 EST that do not include the attestation letter will not be accepted and fees will be returned.
  • Lists many specific exclusions (examples include):
    • applicants who previously had student status and are covered by subsection 182(1) of the regulations;
    • persons planning to study at the primary or secondary school level;
    • persons planning graduate study at the master’s or doctoral level;
    • applicants studying at certain designated learning institutions already listed in the regulations;
    • recipients of certain scholarships administered by Global Affairs Canada;
    • applicants covered by specific public-policy exemptions.
  • These instructions replace earlier ones published on January 22, 2024 and take effect on signature (June 26, 2024).

Who's affected#

• International students who apply for a study permit under the student class on or after January 22, 2024, at 8:30 EST (unless they fall into one of the listed exclusions).
• Provincial and territorial governments, because they must issue the attestation letters and manage their allocated share of the cap.
• Designated learning institutions (DLIs), since applicants may now need to provide DLI numbers for Canadian study.
• People creating or updating profiles in the Express Entry system, who will be asked for more location- and study-related details.
• It is unclear from the notice exactly how the new Express Entry questions will affect ranking or selection — the instructions only change what information is collected.

Why it matters#

• The study-permit rule ties applications to provincial allocations. That means provinces can limit how many new applications they allow into federal processing. If a province’s allocation fills up, applicants from that province may not get their application accepted and will have to wait or reapply.
• Applicants now must get a provincial/territorial attestation before applying. That adds a step and could cause delays or returned fees if applicants apply without the attestation.
• The cap of 606,250 accepted applications for one year is a concrete limit on how many study-permit applications (within the scope) will enter processing during that period — not necessarily how many permits will be issued.
• Express Entry candidates will be asked for more detailed location and study information. The Gazette notice does not say how this information will be used in selection or ranking.