A hallway at Sheridan's Hazel McCallion Campus

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

    • 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
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    Apply online today!

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • This information is best answered by IRCC. Refer to IRCC's website for the latest information.

  • All programs are eligible within the enrolment cap, except for 1-year business programs.

  • 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.
  • Sheridan is a publicly funded institution accredited by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities in Ontario.

  • 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

  • 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.
  • Currently, the equivalent IELTS score would be achieving a 5.0 in each of Writing, Listening and Speaking and a 4.0 in Reading.

  • Check this web page regularly for updates. We will try to keep everyone informed about the processes, decisions and deadlines as they become available.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Sheridan at CCTT is a public–private partnership.

  • 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.

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