Canada Study Permit Updates: Holland College and UPEI Increase Their Deposits by $4,000

Key Points

• Holland College and UPEI will increase their deposit fees from $1,000 to $5,000 in recent Canada student visa news.
• Low conversion rates at these universities have sparked a rampant increase in deposit fees to ensure higher numbers of international students.
• The deposit is set to stay as long as there is a cap on international students.

Holland College and the University of Prince Edward Island are set to increase their tuition deposits following the government’s decision to limit the number of study permits handed out to students in this recent Canada visa news. The costs of both these esteemed universities will rise from $1,000 to $5,000 for international students and domestic alike, as announced on their official channels.

Ever since the government announced its 2-year cap on international students, provinces and universities all over Canada have received caps on the amount of study permits they are allowed to process for the upcoming academic year.

Prince Edward Island in Canada, however, was informed that they could bring in 2,000 new students across all of its schools, including UPEI and Holland College.UPEI got a share of 1,185, Holland College got 710, and 105 at French-language College de l'Île, sparking relief for international students in Canada.

Each acceptance letter from these universities now comes with an attestation letter. After all the Canada student visa applications and college procedures, a student receives an attestation letter if they are approved after they pay the deposit fees. Students need the attestation letter before they apply for a Canada study permit.

Interim president of UPEI, Greg Keefe, admits that the university will be quite thorough and careful with who gets an attestation letter due to the limited number of seats available.

Keefe said, "We're doing what we can on our end, to make the adjustments, to ensure that folks that receive an attestation letter from UPEI are very serious about coming to our campus.”

"They need to pay that [deposit] prior to receiving the attestation letter.” This move is believed to combat those students who receive acceptance letters but choose to go to other institutions elsewhere. Keefe also mentioned that in 2023, UPEI offered 3,200 students acceptance letters, out of which only 675 received a permit and actually enrolled. 

Similarly, at Hollan College, 1,400 offers were sent out while only 450 attended.

"The goal is to ensure that the students who have been offered a seat and are going to confirm that seat have full intentions of coming to Holland College in the fall,” said Lornie Hughes, registrar at Holland College.

The deposit serves as a part of students’ tuition fees at UPEI and Holland College. If, for any reason, students do not get a Canada study permit, 90% of their deposit will be refunded to them.

However, UPEI’s Student Union has spoken out against the increase in the deposit. The Union believes this increase will make access to quality post-secondary education difficult for students who have already applied for their Canada student visa application.

Keefe, however, has reinforced that the deposit will be in place as long as the international student cap set by the federal government is in function in this recent Canada student visa news.

"If the federal government changes their process then we will certainly look at ours," he said.

TL;DR

Due to Canada study permit limits, Holland College and UPEI are increasing tuition deposits from $1,000 to $5,000. PEI received a cap of 2,000 new students, sparking relief. Acceptance letters now come with an attestation letter, requiring payment before applying for a study permit. UPEI aims for serious commitments, considering previous low enrollment rates. Holland College also seeks to ensure commitment to the deposit. 90% refund if no study permit is obtained. UPEI's Student Union opposes the increase, citing accessibility concerns

‍