
IRCC updates to study permit process and work permit eligibility
Applications to Sheridan
Sheridan is still accepting applications from international students — apply online today!
Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs)
Sheridan is actively allocating Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to incoming international students for all future semesters.
Please monitor this page for updates.
Updated: June 27, 2025
As part of changes to the International Student Program by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), new requirements were introduced in 2024:
- To be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), international students in non-degree programs must complete a program in a field of study that the Government of Canada has linked to long-term labour market shortages. This rule applies to students who applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024. See which Sheridan programs meet this field of study requirement.
- International students applying for study permits need to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) unless they meet one of the .
- Students who apply for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024 must meet language proficiency requirements under the , Level 5. You can
Updates to the field of study requirement: June 2025
On June 25, 2025, the , and the following Sheridan changes were made*:
Programs removed:
- Animal Care (Ontario College Certificate)
- Computer Systems Technician – Information Technology Infrastructure and Services (Ontario College Diploma)
- Computer Systems Technology – Software Development and Network Engineering (Ontario College Advanced Diploma)
- Computer Systems Technology – Analysis and Design (Ontario College Advanced Diploma)
- Digital Product Design (Ontario College Graduate Certificate)
- Environmental Control (Ontario College Graduate Certificate)
- Interactive Media Management – Digital Design (Ontario College Graduate Certificate)
- Supply Chain Management – Logistics Automation (Ontario College Graduate Certificate)
Programs added:
- Child and Youth Care (Ontario College Advanced Diploma)
- Electrical Engineering Technician (Ontario College Diploma)
- Veterinary Technician (Ontario College Diploma)
*Sheridan is actively processing these changes and, over the next few days, will be in direct communication with any students who may be impacted by this announcement. If you applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, you will still be eligible for a PGWP if your field of study was on the list at the time of your study permit application.
View the full list of Sheridan programs that meet the field of study requirement.
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, or are looking for updates, support or information about Sheridan, contact the Sheridan representative for your geographic area.
- You can also review the Government of Canada website for international students for more information:
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What is a provincial attestation letter (PAL)?
A provincial attestation letter (PAL) 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 are 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)?
PAL letters are issued to applicants who are admitted and paid fees. After a PAL letter is issued, it will be posted in .
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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 don’t need a PAL/TAL when applying for a study permit if you’ve entered Canada and one of the following situations applies to you:
- You’re applying for a study permit extension at the same designated learning institution (DLI) and level of study as your current study permit.
- You’re under a removal order, but can’t be removed from Canada at this time.
- You have a valid for at least 6 months.
- You’re a .
- You’re eligible for permanent residence:
- Based on , or
- Based on a current , or
- As a spouse or common-law partner (through the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class).
Please refer to for updated information.
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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.
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Why haven't I received a provincial attestation letter (PAL)?
If you have received an offer of admission to Sheridan and paid fees, you should also have been issued a PAL unless you are exempted from it (refer to question Who does NOT need a provincial attestation letter (PAL)?).
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 changed my program/term/campus after receiving a PAL letter, can I request a new PAL letter?
There is no need to request new PALs for these changes. PAL letters are not tied to a program, term or campus. As long as it has not expired, you can apply for the study permit with it.
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My PAL letter expired, and I have not submitted my study permit application. How can I request a new PAL letter?
The process is not yet available. Once the Government of Ontario assigns the 2025 PAL letters to the colleges and universities, Sheridan will resume issuing PAL letters.
Please monitor this page for updates.
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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 to begin this process.
All fees are subject to a non-refundable registration charge.
Requests to withdraw must be made using the 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 911³Ô¹ÏÍø. 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 .
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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 911³Ô¹ÏÍø 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 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 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-graduation work permit (PGWP)?
On September 18, 2024, the Government of Canada announced the following changes to the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) process:
- Students who submit their study permit application after November 1, 2024 will only be eligible for PGWPs (upon completion of program) if their field of study is linked to labour market shortages in Canada identified by the federal government. See which Sheridan programs 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 , Level 5.
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Is 911³Ô¹ÏÍø 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 911³Ô¹ÏÍø?
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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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:
- Students who submit their study permit application after November 1, 2024 will only be eligible for PGWPs (upon completion of program) if their field of study is linked to labour market shortages in Canada identified by the federal government. See which Sheridan programs 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 , Level 5.
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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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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 .
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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 for the most up-to-date information.
Contact us
If you have any questions about your application to Sheridan, please email admissions@sheridancollege.ca