Canada Allocates 12,900 Study Permits to Nova Scotia for International Students in 2024
International student applicants are now required to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in their study permit applications, aligning with the province's allocation process.
Nova Scotia has been granted 12,900 study permits by the Federal Government of Canada for international students in the 2023/2024 academic session, marking a decrease of approximately 7,000 permits compared to the previous year. Despite this reduction, Nova Scotia remains an attractive destination for international students seeking higher education opportunities.
As of October 2023, Nova Scotia had around 16,000 international students enrolled full-time in various post-secondary programs across the province. The study permits will be distributed among 32 designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Nova Scotia, with allocations for universities, community colleges, private career colleges, and language schools.
Nova Scotia's Minister of Advanced Education, Brian Wong, emphasized the province's thoughtful approach to distributing study permits across various institutions, considering factors such as program demand and community growth. The federal cap on study permits aims to stabilize international student numbers in Canada, with exemptions for certain categories such as graduate-level programs.
International student applicants are now required to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in their study permit applications, aligning with the province's allocation process. Other provinces, including Prince Edward Island, have also outlined their study permit allocation plans for international students.