Changes to Canadian Study Permit Policies

Following the Canadian government’s recent announcements about upcoming and ongoing changes to the immigration system, there have been policy adjustments introduced that impact international students, including the requirement for international graduate program applicants to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) as part of their study permit application.

Find immigration-related information and supports

Western’s registered immigration advisors are available to support students and the Western community in navigating these updates. Updated details and instructions for students and applicants are made available on the Western International website as they are confirmed. In addition, immigration questions can also be directed to international student advisors at iesc@uwo.ca.

We also recommend that you access this Government of Canada website to help you forecast how long it may take to process your study permit application.

Please note: Western is not currently issuing PALs to international graduate applicants as we await further clarification on the implementation of this new policy. We do recommend that you apply for your study permit as soon as possible.

Explore programs at Western

Despite the immigration policy changes, Western is committed to supporting international applicants and students. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will continue to process international applications, and programs will continue to be able to offer admission to international graduate program applicants. We encourage you to explore our programs using the Degree Explorer to find the right fit for you.

Stay Updated

We understand that this is a stressful time for our international graduate program applicants.

We will continue to communicate with you and provide support as we learn more about the PAL process and any other immigration policy changes.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this process together. 

Please check this website regularly for the most up-to-date information.

Updated December 20, 2024.