Understanding Canada's PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter) Visa Requirement

In early 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new mandatory requirement for international students: the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). This letter is designed to manage international student volumes across Canadian provinces and must be included in most study permit applications.

In this guide, we explain who needs a PAL, how to obtain it, and the key exceptions.

What is a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?

A PAL is a formal document issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial government to the university or college confirming that the applicant fits within the province's allocated quota for international students.

  • You cannot apply for a Canada Study Permit without a PAL unless you fall under the exempt categories.
  • Applications submitted without a PAL (when required) will be returned immediately as incomplete.

Who Needs a PAL?

Most undergraduate and college-level international students require a PAL. This includes:

  • Students applying to college diploma or certificate programs.
  • Students applying for Bachelor's degree programs.
  • Non-degree seeking students.

Who is Exempt from the PAL?

You do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter if you are:

  • Applying for a Master's degree or Doctoral (PhD) degree program.
  • Applying for primary or secondary school (elementary or high school).
  • An existing study permit holder applying for an extension in Canada.

[!TIP] If you are applying for a Master's or PhD program, your admission letter from the university is sufficient to file your study permit. You do not need to wait for a PAL.

How do you obtain a PAL?

You do not apply for a PAL directly from the provincial government. The process is managed by your university:

  1. Receive Admission Offer: Apply and get accepted into a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  2. Pay Admission Deposit: Accept your offer and pay the required tuition deposit to secure your seat.
  3. University Requests PAL: The DLI will apply to the provincial registry on your behalf.
  4. Download Your PAL: Once the province issues the letter, the university will send it to you digitally to include in your study permit file.

To check matching DLI colleges and calculate study costs, visit Studplex.