No, if you submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024, the new Field of Study eligibility requirements do not apply to you, and you only need to meet the existing PGWP eligibility criteria. Note: there is a new language proficiency requirement that now applies to all PGWP applicants.

Yes, if you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, the new Field of Study eligibility requirements will apply to you.

CBU is a public university. All full-time in-person bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Cape Breton University are eligible for PGWP; however, Cape Breton University cannot guarantee PGWP upon graduation.

Important Note on Transfer Programs

Bachelor of Engineering (Transfer) Program:

• CBU delivers the first two years of the four-year Bachelor of Engineering program, with the final two years delivered at Dalhousie University. Students must complete the remaining two years at Dalhousie to be eligible for a PGWP.
  

Bachelor of Science, Nutrition (Transfer) Program: 

• CBU delivers the first two years of the four-year Bachelor of Science, Nutrition program, with the final two years delivered at a specified university. Students must complete the remaining two years at the specified university to be eligible for a PGWP.
  

For individuals who submit their study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, the programs below should be verified for Field of Study eligibility requirements: 

• Post Baccalaureate Supply Chain Management (CIP code: 52.0203)
• Post Baccalaureate Business Analytics (CIP code: 52.1301)
• Post Baccalaureate Occupational Health & Safety (CIP code: 51.2206)
• Post Baccalaureate Business Management (CIP code: 52.0201)
• Post Baccalaureate Health Care Management (CIP code: 51.2211)
• Diploma in Government Management (CIP code: 44.0401 or 44.0599)

IRCC policies are subject to change without notice. Students are strongly encouraged to frequently visit the IRCC website.

If you are not interested in applying for a PGWP you will not be affected and can continue to complete your program.

If you are interested in applying for a PGWP and your program does not meet the new Field of Study eligibility requirements, you can apply to change your program here.

A program change request must be made using the Service Request Form. All students will require advising after a program change has been approved. We encourage you to complete this form as early as possible if you wish to change your program.

Please refer to cbu.ca/refund-policy for information.

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is a number used to classify instructional programs according to field of study.

IRCC has set an intake cap on international student permit applications to stabilize new growth for a period of two years. You can view their full announcement here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/01/canada-to-stabilize-growth-and-decrease-number-of-new-international-student-permits-issued-to-approximately-360000-for-2024.html

An attestation letter is a supporting document from the province in which a student plans to study. This is now a required document for an initial study permit application. 

Applicants will be automatically assessed for PAL eligibility after they confirm their seat and are not required to complete the PAL Request Form.

Note: If you have been accepted for the Spring 2024 or Fall 2024 intakes, please contact admissions@cbu.ca for more information.

Yes, starting January 22, 2024, all new international students will require an attestation letter to apply for their study permit unless they are applying to study in a master’s degree program.

For those that have applied via an agent, the PAL can be accessed only by the agent via the Supplemental Items section of their Agent Account if and once this has been issued. The agent is responsible for providing this to the applicant as soon as possible once issued.

Applicants without an agent can access this themselves via their personal Future Student Account.

Both applicants with and without agents will receive notification to their personal email address on file once their PAL request has been issued or denied.

No, applications for visas received before 8:30am ET on January 22, 2024, do not require an attestation letter.

No, students applying to extend their study permit do not need an attestation letter.

This announcement does not affect current CBU students with existing study permits or those awaiting permit renewals.

We understand the disappointment about the recent IRCC announcement. For information about the refund process, please refer to CBU’s Refund Policy. If you have any additional questions, please connect with our team at internationalaccounts@cbu.ca. 

PAL eligibility is based on Cape Breton University’s Strategic Enrolment Management Plan which outlines enrolment and diversification goals. The Federal Government has put a cap on new study permits for 2024, making PALs limited. CBU has set PAL caps by country to ensure enrolment goals are met while maintaining our commitment to diversification.

Please refer to the above webpage for instructions on how to request a PAL so our team is able to determine your eligibility based on the factors outlined above.

There is no extra fee payment you need to make for issuance of a  PAL. PAL is issued after paying a seat confirmation tuition deposit mentioned in your Notice of Acceptance. This deposit is the only monetary requirement for applying and receiving a PAL.  If you are being told by someone to make that extra payment to receive a PAL, kindly do not pay them as this is fraudulent.

Your PAL will expire 10 weeks after the date of issue. Students will not be granted an additional PAL if their original expires. Students must submit their Visa application during this 10 week period to be considered for study.

Once you have applied for your Visa, and/or you have been issued a Visa, you no longer require a valid PAL. This is why the expiry date of your PAL may occur before your program start date.