International Students
Eligibility Requirements and Application Information
Students Must Be Physically Located in Canada
At this time, Island Career Academy is not able to accept students who are not currently living in Canada. We are happy to reconsider your application once you are physically located in Canada.
Already in Canada?
If you are currently located in Canada and do not yet have a visa or permanent residency, we are able to tentatively accept your application. You will need to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) and complete the government approval process for our programs.
Island Career Academy is a Designated Learning Institution
This designation is required for international students who need a study permit for programs lasting longer than 6 months. Our DLI status allows us to support international students who are already in Canada through the Provincial Attestation Letter process.
You can verify our DLI status on the official IRCC Designated Learning Institutions list.
If you are currently in Canada and wish to apply for a study permit to attend Island Career Academy, you will need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) as part of your application.
What is a PAL?
A Provincial Attestation Letter is a mandatory document issued by Nova Scotia that confirms you have been allocated a study permit space within the province's federal allocation. The PAL is required alongside your Letter of Acceptance when applying for a Canadian study permit.
PAL Application Process
- Apply and Get Accepted: Complete your application to Island Career Academy and receive your Letter of Acceptance
- Institution Requests PAL: You cannot apply directly for a PAL. Island Career Academy will request the PAL from the Nova Scotia government on your behalf
- Government Approval: The provincial government reviews the request as part of Nova Scotia's allocation for private career colleges
- Receive Your PAL: Once approved, you will receive your PAL to include with your study permit application
- Apply for Study Permit: Submit your study permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with both your Letter of Acceptance and PAL
Important PAL Requirements
- PALs expire 12 weeks after issue date OR by December 31, 2026 (whichever comes first)
- You must submit your study permit application before your PAL expires
- Nova Scotia has limited study permit allocations for private career colleges
- PAL availability is subject to provincial allocation limits
Study permit requirements vary depending on your current immigration status and the program you are enrolling in:
Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) Program - Under 6 Months
The CCA program is 5.5 months in duration. Because it is under 6 months, international students who are in Canada on a work permit are not required to obtain a study permit for this program.
However, if you are in Canada on a study permit (attending another DLI), you would need to apply for a new study permit - see below.
Already Enrolled at Another DLI on a Study Permit?
If you are currently in Canada on a study permit and attending another Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you cannot be enrolled in two DLIs at the same time.
You would need to apply for a new study permit with a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from Island Career Academy to transfer your studies to our institution.
Programs Over 6 Months
For programs longer than 6 months, all international students require a study permit regardless of their current immigration status in Canada. This includes programs such as Early Childhood Education (46 weeks), Business Administration (46 weeks), and Health Care Administration (46 weeks).
Island Career Academy operates under the Private Career Colleges Act of Nova Scotia. The following regulations apply to international student enrollment:
Section 30(2)(f) - Immigration Status
Private career colleges cannot guarantee or imply that admission to the college will guarantee a student the right to enter Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or to receive a visa or study permit. Admission to Island Career Academy does not guarantee immigration approval.
Section 50 - Application Fees
Island Career Academy's Policy
Island Career Academy charges a $100 registration fee for all applicants, regardless of domestic or international status. We do not charge the higher international student application fee permitted under the regulations.
For reference, the Private Career Colleges Act permits colleges to charge up to $100 for domestic students and up to $1,000 for international students applying from outside Canada. Application fees must be refunded if no seat is available within 1 year of application.
For complete details, visit the Private Career Colleges Operational Regulations.
Island Career Academy offers eight career training programs across healthcare, education, and office administration. International students who are already in Canada and meet study permit requirements may enrol in any of the following programs. Program eligibility for study permit purposes depends on program length and your current immigration status.
| Program | Duration | Study Permit Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) | 25 weeks (~5.5 months) | No - under 6 months; work permit holders exempt. Study permit holders must apply for a new permit. |
| Early Childhood Education (ECE) | 46 weeks | Yes - PAL and study permit required for all international students. |
| Teacher Assistant | 36 weeks | Yes - PAL and study permit required. |
| Medical Office Administrator | 41 weeks | Yes - PAL and study permit required. |
| Paralegal / Legal Assistant | 41 weeks | Yes - PAL and study permit required. |
| Massage Therapy | 75 weeks | Yes - PAL and study permit required. |
| Community Residential Worker (CRW) | 44 weeks | Yes - PAL and study permit required. |
| Practical Nursing (LPN)* | ~2 years | Yes - PAL and study permit required. *Pending NS Department of Advanced Education approval. |
Funding Note for International Students
Free CCA tuition and the ECE bursary are funded through Nova Scotia government agreements and are generally available only to domestic (Canadian) students. International students should speak with admissions about program costs and payment options before applying.
Why Study in Sydney, Cape Breton?
Sydney is Nova Scotia's second-largest city and the urban centre of Cape Breton Island. It offers a lower cost of living than Halifax or major Canadian metros, a welcoming community, and strong employment demand in healthcare and education - the sectors most ICA graduates enter. Cape Breton's healthcare system employs Continuing Care Assistants, practical nurses, and medical office staff year-round, giving international graduates a local employment market to enter upon completing their studies.
Island Career Academy's campus is located at 721 Alexandra Street, Sydney - close to downtown, public transit, and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's housing options. Small class sizes mean international students receive individual attention and are integrated into a close-knit cohort rather than a large anonymous lecture environment.
Important Notice for International Students
Graduates of private career colleges in Nova Scotia are not eligible to apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Only graduates from public colleges (such as Nova Scotia Community College) and degree-granting universities qualify for PGWP.
If you are considering studying in Canada with the goal of obtaining a post-graduation work permit, please be aware of this limitation before applying to Island Career Academy or any private career college in Nova Scotia.
If you have questions about international student eligibility, the PAL process, or would like to discuss your specific situation, please contact our admissions team:
Phone
(902) 564-6112