[requester]

Record

Archived: June 2, 2025 114738 AM From: Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (RCC) Sent: [requester] To: [requester] Immigration Representatives / Représentanis immigration (RCC) Subject: [requester] 25 Importance: Normal Sensitivity: None Good day, Thank you for your inquiries regarding the recent changes in Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirements and the classification of study levels at colleges. Please note that the information provided serves as general program guidance and should not be considered a directive for case-specific advice. QUESTION Our colleagues within the college community have been experiencing an increased amount of program change requests, especially for those who have already received the study permit extension approval. With the recent changes in the PAL requirements, we are hoping to receive some clarification on the definition of the level of studies ata college. Please clarify whether a college graduate certificate program would be considered the same level of study as a college certificate program. “The Graduate Certificate program requires completion of a two or three-year college diploma or a degree to be eligible for admission; the College Certificate program requires completion of Grade 12 (high school). Further to the above, please consider the following example: © * A study permit holder completed a one-year graduate certificate and applied for a study permit extension based on another one-year graduate certificate program ( for example, Supply Chain Management ~SCM program); * * After the study permit extension and coop work permit were approved for the SCM program, the permit holder decided to change to a college certificate program (Personal Support Worker — PSW program) for the same intake/term Please clarify whether a new study permit and coop work permit should be applied. Or can the student proceed to the PSW program with the approved study permit and coop work permit for the SCM program? RESPONSE IRCC categorizes levels of study into three primary groups: 1. 1. Primary and Secondary Education: Includes education from grades 1 through 12. 2. 2. Post-Secondary Education: Covers vocational and technical training, college diplomas, and undergraduate programs. 3. 3. Graduate Education and Above: Covers master's and doctoral programs. As a result, a college graduate certificate program and a college certificate program are therefore considered different levels of study. 000989

Scenario 1: Study Permit Extension for a Graduate Certificate Program :

* * Anew PALis required when a student completes one program and intends to start a new credential at the same DLI,

even if both programs are at the same level of study. * * The PAL exemption applies only if the student is extending their study permit to continue within the same credential (e.g., extending studies within an ongoing program rather than starting a new one).

Scenario 2: Transitioning from a Post-Graduate Diploma to a College Certificate A transition from a post-graduate diploma to a vocational certificate (such as the PSW program) is considered a shift from graduate education to post-secondary education. As this constitutes a change in the level of study, a new PALis required when applying for a study permit extension, along with a co-op work permit specific to the PSW program. For more information, please refer to the official IRCC resources:

© * Provincial Attestation Letter or Territorial Attestation Leiter

© * Guide 5552 - Applying to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada as a Student

© * Changing your school or program - Canada.ca

© * Ministerial Instructions

© * Work as a co-op student or intern - Canada.ca We trust that this information will assist you. Thank you kindly, [requester] De Envoyé: [requester] A: Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (IRCC) <[requester email]> Objet: [requester] Greetings! Ihope this email finds you well. | appreciate your clarifications on the following questions. Our colleagues within the college community have been experiencing an increased amount of program change requests, especially for those who have already received the study permit extension approval. With the recent changes in the PAL requirements, we are hoping to receive some clarification on the definition of the level of studies ata college. Please clarify whether a college graduate certificate program would be considered the same level of study as a college certificate program. "The Graduate Certificate program requires completion of a two or three-year college diploma or a degree to be eligible for admission; the College Certificate program requires completion of Grade 12 (high school). Further to the above, please consider the following example:

* *A study permit holder completed a one-year graduate certificate and applied for a study permit extension based on another one-year graduate certificate program (for example, Supply Chain Management - SCM program);

+ * After the study permit extension and coop work permit were approved for the SCM program, the permit holder decided to change to a college certificate program (Personal Support Worker - PSW program) for the same intake/term

Please clarify whether a new study permit and coop work permit should be applied. Or can the student proceed to the PSW program with the approved study permit and coop work permit for the SCM program? Regards,

coose

Archived: June 2, 2025 11:47:43 AM Fron Mail received time: Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:17:11 Sent: [requester] To: Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (RCC) Subject: [requester] Importance: Normal Sensitivity: None CAUTION: This email originated ffom outside the Government of [requester] not click on links or open attachments unkess you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. ATTENTION: Ce courriel provient de fextérieur du gouvernement du [requester] cliquez pas sur les liens et nlouvrez pas les pigces jointes sauf'si vous reconnaisse7 lexpéditeur et sachez.que le contenu est str. Dear [requester], Thank you for providing the link and confirming that the policy is still in effect, however, I can not find the link pertaining to the 30-day processing of TRV’s for the sponsored spouse Kindly advise where I can find that information, On [requester] 11, 2025 at 3:07 'a0PM Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (IRCC) <[requester email]> wrote: Hello ‘Thank you for your email correspondence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Immigration Representatives mailbox. We appreciate your patience. Note that this service provides guidance and not case-specific advice. Please find the answers to your questions below: Question I would like to verify the policy allowing sponsored spouses and partners who have filed family class sponsorship applications to apply for a temporary resident visa with a 30-day processing time, and upon arrival in Canada to apply for an open work permit for the duration of the sponsorship process. Would appreciate it if you can direct me to the link on IRCC website and ifitis stil in effect 00982

——eee sats) ihcoss co

Response

‘The public policy for spouse or common-law partners in Canada continues to be in effect.

Please review the following link for further information:

Public policy for spouse or common-law partner in Canada (SCLPC) class or family class applicants to apply in Canada

[R205(a) — A74] — International Mobility Program (IMP) - Canada.ca_

For more information, please consult the following webpages:

We hope this information is of assistance. Do not hesitate (o reach out again if you required further clarification,

Sincerely,

Immigration Representatives Mailbox

De

Envoyé: [requester]

A: Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (RCC) <[requester]:

Representantsimmigration. [IRCC institutional email]>

Objet: [requester]

Hello [requester],

T would like to verify the policy allowing sponsored spouses and partners who have filed family class sponsorship on

applications to apply for a temporary resident visa with a 30-day processing time, and upon arrival in Canada to apply for an open work permit for the duration of the sponsorship process. Would appreciate it if you can direct me to the link on IRCC website and ifit is still in effect. Kind regards, cooss4

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