Does My Friend Need a New Study Permit and PAL for a Short-Term Program to Avoid Future PR Issues?

[shaozewang55]

Hi everyone,

I’m posting this on behalf of a friend who is currently an SFU Economics student holding a valid study permit. She will be graduating from SFU in August. However, starting in April, she plans to enroll in a five-month healthcare-related program at Sprott Shaw College, which is expected to end in September.

She has read the following IRCC pages:

1. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/who-needs-study-permit.html
2. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/attestation-letters.html

From her understanding, a study permit is not required for programs shorter than 6 months. However, she is concerned that when she applies for PR in the future, IRCC might question her legal status in Canada between her SFU graduation (August) and the completion of her Sprott Shaw program (September).

Her questions are:

1. Should she apply for a new study permit for Sprott Shaw, even though it’s a short-term program, to avoid any future complications with IRCC?
2. Should she obtain a PAL to strengthen her case in case IRCC questions her legal status when applying for PR?
3. Has anyone been in a similar situation before, and how did you handle it?

She just wants to make sure she takes the right steps now to avoid any issues with her immigration application later. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!