The IELTS strategy for your Canadian student visa: do the new rules apply to you?
Picture yourself standing on the vibrant campus of a world-renowned Canadian university, engaging in lively discussions with esteemed professors and course mates of diverse backgrounds, in a welcoming environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. This could be realised if you’ve set your sights on studying in the Great White North, with an IELTS score in hand.
However, international student hopefuls cannot ignore the new landscape of visa policy and changed requirements, after Canada has announced Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
The new rules and updates introduced to the immigration processes for international students are essential to understand for anyone hoping to study in Canada. Whether you’re looking to study in Ontario or study in Victoria, see how the latest student visa news might impact your plans, and how a strong IELTS score can pave the way for achieving a Canadian study permit and more!
Understanding the 2025 Canada student visa news
Here are the must-know updates for international students as announced by the IRCC:
1. Revised foreign enrolment numbers
One significant change under the new rules in Canada for international students is the reduction in the number of study permits being issued for 2025 and 2026. For 2025, there will be a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new study permits issued, bringing the total number of study permits issued to 437,000. The intake cap will then stabilise for 2026 for number of study permits issued to remain the same as in 2025.
This international student cap means greater competition for study permits, but it also signals that the Canadian government is prioritising well-prepared and qualified international students, aiming to ensure that those who are granted a study permit are set up for success in their studies, with possible work pathways to explore in Canada.
2. Enhanced PGWP requirements
Another important update is the new language proficiency requirement updated by the IRCC for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility, which varies depending on your educational level.
- For university students graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD: You must score a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or an IELTS band score of 6.0 in the Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking sections of IELTS General Training. For French, you’ll require Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in all 4 language areas.
- For graduates from any other university program: You must score a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or a band score of 6.0 in the Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking segments of the IELTS General Training. For French, you’ll need NCLC 7 in all 4 language areas.
- For graduates from a college program or any other program: You need a minimum of CLB 5 in English or IELTS band scores of 4.0 in Reading and 5.0 in Writing, Listening, and Speaking for IELTS General Training. To prove French language skills instead, you’ll need NCLC 5 in all 4 language areas.
These new rules ensure that graduates have the necessary language skills to thrive in the Canadian workforce and contribute meaningfully to the economy. This is particularly important for international students looking to study in Canada with the goal of working after graduation, as a strong command of English or French is crucial for securing employment and building a successful career in the country.
Furthermore, as of December 17, 2024, there are new eligible fields of study for PGWPs. In addition to the previous eligible fields, which included agriculture and agri-food, education, healthcare, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), trade, and transport, PGWP eligibility now extends to certain programs related to early childhood education and developmental service workers.
3. New student regulations
The IRCC has also introduced new rules to improve the overall student experience and maintain the integrity of study programs within the country, such as an increase in the working hours for international students in Canada.
International students can work off campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. This provides greater flexibility and opportunities to gain valuable local work experience or even support future visa applications post-study.
Additionally, stricter reporting requirements for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) have been implemented, particularly at the post-secondary level, to ensure greater transparency and accountability within the study permit system.
4. Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) requirements
There are also new rules in Canada for international students: a mandatory requirement for most study permit applicants entering post-secondary education to provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), including master’s, doctoral students and those applying for prerequisite courses or programs, including language courses. There are some exceptions to this requirement.
This change provides a clear pathway for students to demonstrate their eligibility and secure their study permit, ensuring that they meet the specific requirements of their chosen province or territory.
You may check the latest guidelines on the official Canadian immigration website or consult with an Northfield & Associatescounsellor for personalised support on making an application.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Readers should seek tailored legal advice in relation to their personal circumstances.
We serve our clients in English, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Cantonese, especially in Asian clients.
- If you or anybody that you know, think that you meet the requirements and wish to receive further information.
- We can help you start the application process and confirm eligibility requirements to participate.
- We Offer Consultations & Meetings by Phone & Virtually. Affordable Fees.
Book a Consultation Today
Contact Northfield & Associates today to schedule a consultation with an experienced Consultant.
Book a call with a Consultation
Join the community of Northfield & Associates
Connect with peers and community ambassadors to hear real experiences, tips, and advice about studying abroad.
Explore Northfield & Associates community
About Northfield
At Northfield & Associates, we are committed to accelerating sustainable and inclusive growth. Our clients in Cambodia, Canada, and around the world are trailblazers, constantly testing boundaries, challenging norms, and striving for transformative change. We collaborate with visionary leaders globally to identify strategies that will shape the future. By leveraging innovation, we help our clients achieve net-zero targets, drive technological transformation, and build the capabilities necessary for sustainable success.
Working hand-in-hand with our clients, we are accelerating progress toward a future that is not only more sustainable but also inclusive and prosperous for all, both locally in Cambodia and Canada, as well as internationally.
Our Firm
Structured as a unified global partnership, Northfield & Associates operates with a shared set of values across our offices in Cambodia, Canada, and globally. We are committed to attracting and nurturing a diverse, talented workforce while driving long-term change for our clients worldwide. As a sector-focused, international consulting firm, we understand that consultancy is not just about strategies, it’s about people. The best outcomes arise from close relationships built on trust, collaboration, and shared goals.
The role of consultants has evolved. Today, businesses in Cambodia, Canada, and internationally seek not just expertise but partners who anticipate challenges, create positive experiences, and align with their values. We embrace these evolving expectations, proactively addressing challenges and investing in both results and the journey to reach them.
Why us?
We believe in the power of relationships to deliver tangible business results. We collaborate openly with our colleagues and clients are working across office, service and sector boundaries to bring you the best of our firm, wherever you need us to be.
Who we are
We are a cohesive global partnership committed to delivering lasting, meaningful change in Cambodia, Canada, and around the world. Our foundation is built on values and a collective mission: helping clients achieve success while creating an environment where exceptional talent thrives.
Northfield & Associates is a multinational sector-focused, global consulting firm that believes that consultancy matters are people matters and it takes closer relationships between people and teams to get to the best results, in the right way.
It used to be that good lawyer was mostly about knowing the law and delivering sound opinions. Today, businesses need more and demand more.
We know our clients want consultancy advisers by their side, anticipating what’s ahead and creating positive experiences for their teams. They want to work with others who share their values and do business responsibly.
We take on the new realities of business in a positive and proactive way, invest in the result, and care about how we get there.
Northfield & Associates:
Where chemistry creates opportunity;
- Partner consulting and legal professionals around the world
- Committed to the communities we serve, including through volunteerism and fundraising initiatives.
- A great place to work built upon an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity.
- Routinely recognised by the world’s top consultancy rankings organisations, including Chambers.
- Focused on key global sectors, including energy, financial services, life sciences, natural resources, infrastructure, real estate and tech.
Our values
Our values guide everything that we do:
- The power of teamwork:
We believe we can achieve much more if we work together as a team with our clients and colleagues – however talented we are as individuals. We collaborate seamlessly across services, sectors and offices – focused on the greater good for the client and the firm. - Always striving to be better:
We are always striving to improve our service to clients and the way we run our own business – ambitious to improve in a highly competitive market. - We all bring something different:
We all bring different backgrounds, strengths and perspectives to the team. This diversity and openness make us more relevant and valuable to our clients.
Responsible business
We believe that every business has a responsibility to its communities and the environment, as well as its people and clients.
- Great place to work
We’re proud to be recognised as a top employer, and actively encourage DE&I. This means we attract the best talent, as well as great clients. Our clients know that strong values combined with motivated and engaged consultants and lawyers results in teams that approach problems with creativity and ingenuity. - Diversity, equity and inclusion
Fostering a truly equitable and inclusive culture – one that celebrates difference and encourages everyone to be their true self – requires work and engagement at every level. Our diversity, equity and inclusion strategies encompass a number of key areas. - Sustainable business
We recognise our operations, services and offices have an environmental impact. On an ongoing basis, around the world, we work to mitigate these impacts through a number of targeted environmental initiatives. - Giving back to our communities
We believe in supporting the communities we serve and giving back to those most in need. Across our global offices, we volunteer with, fundraise for and provide pro bono legal advice to a number of local charities and non-profit organisations engaged in important and impactful work. - Our structure
Around the world, our member firms operate and provide legal services to clients as separate legal entities under the common brand of Northfield & Associates. Our structure is explained in more detail on our Legal Information page.
Forward-Looking Information:
This news release contains forward-looking information. All statements, other than statements of historic fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future constitute forward-looking information.
This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company.
Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the failure to finalize negotiations concerning the increase of the Loan or to close such transaction and the failure of the Company to complete the acquisition of the Company Facility; operating performance of facilities; environmental and safety risks; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; unavailability of plant, equipment or labour; inability to retain key management and personnel; changes to regulations or policies affecting the Company’s activities; and the other risks disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s amended annual information.
Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Questions?
info@northfied.biz
Within Corporate Newsroom
Media Contact:
media@northfied.biz
Press contact
PR consultants
press@northfied.biz
NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Information made available on this website in any form is for information purposes only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. You should not rely on, or take or fail to take any action based upon this information. Never disregard professional legal advice or delay in seeking legal advice because of something you have read on this website. Northfield & Associates professionals will be pleased to discuss resolutions to specific legal concerns you may have.