The updated cap will now include master’s and doctoral students, who will no longer be exempt from obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).  

The department says it will be reserving approximately 12% of allocation spaces for these students “in recognition of the benefits they bring to the Canadian labour market.” 

PALs were introduced earlier this year for many college and undergraduate students to help IRCC verify that their applications are genuine and stabilize the number of study permits issued. 

Source: https://www.cicnews.com/2024/09/breaking-ircc-announces-tighter-cap-for-international-student-permits-and-changes-to-pgwp-eligibility-0946598.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-20240918#gs.fdam9f