Immigration Updates

Effective September 1, 2025, the minimum proof of funds required for one year of living expenses for a study permit application will increase:

• From: CAD $20,635 for a single applicant
• To: CAD $22,895 for a single applicant

If you are applying with dependents, the required amount will increase depending on the number of family members you will bring with you to Canada. Visit the IRCC website for more information. 

Effective July 4, 2024, IRCC published an update for students transferring from Canadian high-schools to post-secondary institutions. If you are a Canadian high-school student transferring to Trent University, you may begin studies while your study permit extension application is being processed, as long as:

• You applied from within Canada, and
• You apply before your current study permit expires or within 90 days of completing high school (as this is when your study permit becomes invalid)—whichever comes first.

If you leave Canada after your current study permit becomes invalid, you will lose maintained status and cannot resume studies until you receive your new study permit.

Visit the IRCC website to learn more about this update. 

On July 4, 2025, IRCC clarified that students transferring from another Canadian post-secondary institution must wait to receive their new study permit before beginning studies at their new post-secondary institution. Visit the IRCC website to learn more about this update.

Effective December 11, 2024, IRCC introduced a temporary policy allowing students to begin studies between January 1 and May 1, 2025, while their study permit extension was being processed. This policy has not been extended and is no longer in effect. Visit the IRCC website to learn more about this expired temporary policy. 

Effective November 8, 2024, international students must be enrolled at the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) listed on their study permit.

If you plan to change institutions:

• You must apply for a new study permit for your new DLI. In most cases, you must receive the new permit before starting studies at the new institution.
• Moving from secondary to post-secondary: You need to get a new study permit by applying to extend your current one to attend a post-secondary school. You can continue your studies at the post-secondary level while waiting for a decision on your new study permit application. If your study permit application is refused, you must stop studying immediately.
• If you’re moving from post-secondary to secondary levels: You need to get a new study permit by applying to extend your current one if you want to attend a secondary level school after being enrolled in a post-secondary school.
• If you’re changing DLIs at the post-secondary level: You need to get a new study permit by applying to extend your current one.
• If you changed DLIs before November 8, 2024: You can keep studying at your DLI with your current study permit as long as you still meet your study permit conditions. If you want to change DLIs again, you need to get a new study permit by applying to extend your current one and following the steps below.

Visit the IRCC website to learn more about this update. 

If you’re changing programs of study in between post-secondary levels at the same DLI: You can keep studying at your DLI with your current study permit as long as you still meet your study permit conditions. However, if you need to extend your study permit, you may need to submit a new provincial attestation letter (PAL) or territorial attestation letter (TAL).Visit the IRCC website to learn more about this update. 

All undergraduate and graduate-level programs remain eligible for a PGWP. 

Some postgraduate certificate-level programs are PGWP eligible under the new guidelines: 

Current students and students who applied for their initial study permit prior to November 1, 2024: ALL certificate programs remain eligible for a PGWP. 

Future students who apply for their initial study permit after November 1, 2024: PGWP eligibility will be tied to identified labour market needs as outlined by the IRCC. Specific details will be posted here once information becomes available. 

A PGWP may be issued for up to 3 years. Please refer to IRCC’s website for full details and the most up-to-date information.

After you apply to Trent, accept your offer of admission, and pay your tuition deposit, Trent will issue you a PAL to support your initial study permit application. Starting January 1, 2025, international students at all levels of study will be required to have a PAL to apply for a study permit.  Prior to January 1, 2025, only students at the undergraduate and postgraduate certificate levels are required to have a PAL.

Students who are applying to extend their study permit because they are continuing in their current program of study do not require a PAL.   

Students who are changing their level of study do require a PAL. For example, undergraduate program students applying to a graduate program.

All graduates applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024, are required to demonstrate that they have minimum language abilities in English or French.  Please see the latest updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for more details.

As the Province of Ontario has not yet announced how they will issue Attestation Letters to new study permit applicants, we are all currently awaiting further instructions. Trent University will share any relevant information about the Provincial Attestation Letters as soon as we receive it. 

Please note, the IRCC has indicated they will return any application received on or after January 22, 2024, without an attestation letter, unless you are exempt. Undergraduate, post-graduate certificate, and graduate diploma students are not exempt from this requirement.

Trent University or Trent Agents will never ask for payment for a PAL. Trent requires only that the tuition deposit of $2,500 CAD is paid.

The IRCC’s website is the authoritative source for up-to-date information about how to apply for your study permit.  

As these programs have different admission requirements, we cannot transfer your post-graduate certificate admission to a Master’s program. You will need to apply to Graduate Studies. Please review admission requirements and application procedures.  

Possibly, depending on your level of study. Spouses of Study Permit holders who are studying in a Master’s or Ph.D. program will remain eligible to receive a Spousal Open Work Permit. Spouses of undergraduate, certificate and graduate diploma-level students will no longer be eligible to work in Canada. Learn more here.

The only relevant information for Trent students announced to-date about changes to the PGWP program are that: 

Graduates from all Master’s and Ph.D. programs will receive a three-year PGWP.

Graduates from undergraduate and post-graduate certificate-level programs will continue to be eligible to obtain a Post-Graduate Work Permit for up-to 3 years in duration.

Graduates from colleges who operate as a public-private partnership will no longer be eligible for a PGWP. This will not apply to Trent University students; Trent does not offer any programs through a public-private-partnership. 

Read the full details about PGWP eligibility and duration. 

We anticipate that current students will remain subject to the same conditions and opportunities as applied to their initial Study Permit. Trent University will update this webpage with any relevant information that is released. 

IRCC’s website is the authoritative source for up-to-date information about how to extend your study permit.