IRCC updates to study permit process
Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs)
Sheridan is actively allocating Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to incoming international students with their offers of admission for Winter 2025 and Spring 2025.
PALs will be issued immediately to applicants with their Letter of Acceptance (LOA) package. We do not require payment of first term tuition fees.
The Government of Canada is processing a limited number of study permit applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Updated: September 24, 2024
On January 22, 2024, the Government of Canada introduced a cap on international study permit applications for a period of two years. Additional measures were announced on September 18, 2024.
Important details:
- Current students who are already in Canada are not affected by the cap on study permit applications. The cap only applies to new study permit applications submitted after January 22, 2024.
- International students applying for study permits need to provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Sheridan is actively allocating PALs to incoming international students with their offers of admission for Winter 2025 and Spring 2025. We do not require payment of first term tuition fees.
- Changes to the post-graduate work permit program (PGWP) were also announced:
- As of November 1, 2024, graduates of public college diploma programs will only be eligible for PGWPs if their field of study is linked to labour market shortages in Canada. The federal government has not yet identified which programs or fields of study will meet this requirement.
- Individuals who apply for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024 will now be required to meet language proficiency requirements under the Canadian Language Benchmarks, Level 5. You can assess your English skills online.
- Sheridan is still accepting applications from international students — apply online today.
Frequently asked questions
Applicants
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Who can I contact if I have questions about the changes to the study permit process?
- Please review the information shared on this page to see if your question has already been answered here. We will continue to update this page as more details become available.
- If you have questions about your application to Sheridan, you can contact us by email: admissions@sheridancollege.ca
- You can also review the Government of Canada website for international students for more information: Information for applicants applying for study permits
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What is a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
A Provincial Attestation Letter is a document created by the government. It verifies that each study permit applicant has been accounted for within the new cap set by the federal government.
International students applying for a study permit after 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024 is required to submit a PAL along with their study permit application.
The Province of Ontario has provided Sheridan with an allotment of PALs, which Sheridan allocates to incoming international students with their offers of admission.
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Where can I get a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
Sheridan is actively allocating Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to incoming international students.
You will be issued a PAL with your offer of admission to Sheridan.
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Who needs a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
If the IRCC received (or receives) your study permit application after 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024, you will be required to provide a PAL with your study permit application.
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Who does NOT need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
You do NOT need to provide a PAL if:
- The IRCC received your study permit application before 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024.
- You have already been approved for a study permit.
- You are applying for a study permit extension.
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Is the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) required for all programs?
Yes. A PAL is required for all study permit applications submitted after January 22, 2024, regardless of which Sheridan program you are applying to.
Sheridan is actively allocating PALs to incoming international students with their offers of admission.
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Why haven't I received a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
Sheridan is actively allocating PALs to incoming international students with their offers of admission.
If you have received an offer of admission to Sheridan, you should also have been issued a PAL.
If you have received an offer of admission and have not yet received a PAL, it is possible that Sheridan is still processing your file and that your PAL will be available soon.
We are working through this process as quickly as possible to support our applicants.
If you have further questions, please email admissions@sheridancollege.ca
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I have been admitted to Sheridan. Will my admission offer be rescinded?
Sheridan will do everything it can to keep you admitted into the term and program that was offered. Given enrolment caps and other changes being communicated by IRCC, there may be instances where we will offer you an alternative start term and/or program(s).
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I’ve paid all my program fees for the upcoming semester. Can I get a full refund?
If you have been admitted into a program, we can help you defer your admission to the next intake. Please complete the International New Student Deferral/Refund Form to begin this process.
All fees are subject to a non-refundable registration charge.
Requests to withdraw must be made using the International New Student Deferral/Refund Form before the tenth day of class in the current semester. Refer to the International Payment Information page for more information.
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I recently applied to Sheridan College. I would now like to withdraw my application. Will you refund my application fee?
Application fees are non-refundable. If you have been admitted into a program, we can help you defer your admission to the next intake. Please complete the International New Student Deferral/Refund Form.
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I haven't applied to Sheridan yet. Given all the changes, should I apply?
Yes. Sheridan is continuing to process applications and admit students. We are actively allocating PALs to incoming international students with their offers of admission. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure you receive a PAL and secure your spot in your program.
If you have concerns about your application fee, let us know by using our Contact Form — if the program you are applying for is open, we may waive the application fee.
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How will IRCC changes affect Sheridan College applicants?
Sheridan is continuing to process applications and admit students. The changes announced by IRCC affect the process of acquiring a study permit as well as PGWP eligibility requirements. Please refer to IRCC's website for the latest information.
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I have an approved study permit. Will I be given priority for admission to Sheridan?
Admission to open programs occurs daily for all applicants. Students with approved study permits are able to finalize their admission process earlier than those that have to wait and apply for their study permit.
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What is the likelihood of obtaining a study permit?
This information is best answered by IRCC. Refer to IRCC's website for the latest information.
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Are applicants to specific programs more likely to get a study permit?
All programs are eligible within the enrolment cap, except for 1-year business programs.
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When I graduate, will I be eligible for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP)?
On September 18, 2024, the Government of Canada announced the following changes to the post-graduate work permit (PGWP) process:
- As of November 1, 2024, graduates of public college diploma programs will only be eligible for PGWPs if their field of study is linked to labour market shortages in Canada. The federal government has not yet identified which programs or fields of study will meet this requirement.
- Ontario college graduates who apply for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024 will now be required to meet language proficiency requirements under the Canadian Language Benchmarks, Level 5.
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Is Sheridan College a public or private institution?
Sheridan is a publicly funded institution accredited by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities in Ontario.
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I have been accepted to a public-private partnership college. How can I apply and transfer to Sheridan College?
Interested applicants can connect directly with our Recruitment team to discuss program options and how to apply. You may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Please contact us using this form.
Current Sheridan students
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What is the IELTS equivalent of Canadian Language Benchmarks, Level 5?
Currently, the equivalent IELTS score would be achieving a 5.0 in each of Writing, Listening and Speaking and a 4.0 in Reading.
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I am a current student. Do these IRCC announcements affect me?
If you are a current international student studying in Canada and enrolled in one of Sheridan's programs, you will not be directly affected by the cap on international study permit applications.
However, the changes that IRCC announced to the PGWP program on September 18, 2024 may affect you:
- As of November 1, 2024, graduates of public college diploma programs will only be eligible for PGWPs if their field of study is linked to labour market shortages in Canada. The federal government has not yet identified which programs or fields of study will meet this requirement.
- Ontario college graduates who apply for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024 will now be required to meet language proficiency requirements under the Canadian Language Benchmarks, Level 5.
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How can I help my friends and relatives who have not applied for their study permit yet and want to come study at Sheridan?
Check this web page regularly for updates. We will try to keep everyone informed about the processes, decisions and deadlines as they become available.
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What are the new open work permit eligibility requirements for spouses of international students?
Open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. The spouses of international students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.
Sheridan at CCTT students
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I am a Sheridan at CCTT student at the Fort Erie campus. Do the changes to the post-graduation work permit affect me?
IRCC has announced that students who begin a college program delivered through a public–private partnership on May 15, 2024 or later will not be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit. Please refer to IRCC's website.
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Is Sheridan at CCTT a public or private institution?
Sheridan at CCTT is a public–private partnership.
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Can I transfer to one of the GTA campuses at Sheridan?
If you are interested in transferring to one of the GTA campuses, we can work with you around that process. Please contact us at admissions@sheridancollege.ca
Students are solely responsible for ensuring that they are in compliance with all Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada regulations at all times during their studies and while in Canada, including any medical or study and work permit-related requirements.
The information on this page does not constitute any legal advice and information may change without notice. Always refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the most up-to-date information.
Contact us
If you have any questions about your application to Sheridan, please email admissions@sheridancollege.ca