Canada remains one of the most structured routes from study to permanent residence available anywhere. It is also the destination where the gap between current rules and circulating advice is widest.
Three changes matter most: the Provincial Attestation Letter is now central to most study permit applications, the proof-of-funds threshold rose substantially, and Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility narrowed for certain program categories.
The PGWP question must be answered before you enrol
A program that does not confer PGWP eligibility is an extremely expensive way to discover a policy change. Eligibility now depends on program level and, in some categories, field of study.
This is verifiable in advance for a specific program at a specific institution. It should be verified in advance, every time, without exception.
Attestation allocations run out
PALs are issued by provinces against capped allocations through institutions. An institution that has exhausted its allocation cannot issue you one, regardless of your admission status.
Timing therefore matters in a way it did not previously. Applying early is no longer merely prudent — it is the difference between having an application and not having one.