Provincial Attestation Letter for Canada Study Permit

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A provincial attestation letter (PAL) is now required under the new Canadian immigration law in order to apply for a study visa for Canada. One of the most recent prerequisites to studying in Canada is the Letter of Acceptance and the Province’s Attestation when applying for a study permit. The new immigration regulations pertaining to Canadian student visas have left many international students stuck. As part of the new student visa policy, IRCC requires an attestation letter from the province in which you plan to study in Canada.

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What is Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?

In January 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented a new limit on the number of international students allowed to study in Canada. Consequently, certain international students will now be required to obtain a PAL in addition to a letter of acceptance (LOA) in order to apply for their study permits. The study cap, which will permit up to 360,000 allocated permits in 2024, is distributed among Canada’s provinces and territories according to their respective populations.

The Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is a mechanism used by provinces to ensure that accepting a particular overseas student contributes to their designated quota of international students. Before applying for study permits, students are required to obtain a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from their Designated Learning Institution (DLI), which are the only educational institutions in Canada authorised to admit overseas students. Additionally, they must also obtain a Provincial Approval Letter (PAL) from the province or territory where their DLI is situated.

International students play a significant role in enhancing Canada’s educational institutions, local communities, and economy. Nevertheless, there has been an excessive and unsustainable increase in the International Student Program in recent times. The government aims to streamline the student process by implementing reforms such as the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) process. This initiative will promote sustainable population growth in Canada, enhance system integrity, and ensure a positive experience for international students.

Who Requires a PAL?

PALs are mandatory for:

The majority of applicants for post-secondary study permits, specifically those pursuing undergraduate education at universities and colleges.
Many graduate programmes that do not award degrees, such as certificate programmes and graduate diplomas.

PALs are not mandatory for:

Master’s or doctoral degree students;
Primary and secondary school students;
In-Canada visiting or exchange students studying at a DLI;
In-Canada study permit and work permit holders (including existing study permit holders applying for an extension);
In-Canada family members of study permit or work permit holders;
Students who have already been approved for a study permit and intend to travel to Canada for an upcoming program; and
Students whose application was received before 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024.

How to Get a PAL?  

Under the revised PAL issuing systems, certain international students intending to pursue studies in Canada will be required to obtain a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from their selected Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and validate their enrollment by submitting a deposit. The specific monetary amount and nature of the deposit can vary based on the particular Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that an overseas student wishes to attend. Therefore, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) advises students to directly communicate with their educational institution in order to obtain the precise information that is relevant to them.

After receiving confirmation of enrollment, Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) will then submit an application to the appropriate provincial government on behalf of the student to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). After receiving a PAL, institutions will provide it to the student, who can then utilise the letter, along with their LOA and other required documents, to acquire a Canadian study visa.

Ontario PAL Application

Ontario has commenced the issuance of Provincial Attestation Letter (PALs) to international students, effective from March 28th, 2024.

In 2024, the federal government has assigned Ontario a total of 235,000 study permits.

The province’s study permit allocations are subject to specific restrictions for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). Public post-secondary institutions have received the majority of allocations made by the provincial government, accounting for 96% of the total. In contrast, private post-secondary universities and language schools have only received a minor allocation of 4%.

Quebec PAL Application

Quebec has commenced the issuance of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to overseas students. In 2024, the province has been granted an allotment of 117,917 study permits.

According to IRCC, a Certificat d’Acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) can serve as a PAL if it includes the statement: “This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Quebec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it.”

A CAQ, also known as a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec, is an official document issued by the provincial government of Quebec. Its purpose is to verify that an individual has fulfilled the entrance requirements set by the province. International students are required to provide a Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ), along with a Letter of Acceptance (LOA), when applying for a study permit to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

British Columbia PAL Application

Starting from March 4th, 2024, British Columbia (B.C.) has commenced the issuance of PALs to international students.

The province of B.C. has been granted 83,000 undergraduate study permits as part of its provincial share from the federal study cap. According to the province, 53% of PALs would be allocated to public post-secondary institutions, while the remaining 47% will be allocated to private universities.

Alberta PAL Application

Starting from March 1st, 2024, Alberta has commenced the issuance of PALs to international students. In 2024, the province has been assigned 40,894 study permits, indicating a little rise in the number of eligible international students compared to 2023.

International students who wish to study in Alberta should contact their designated learning institution (DLI) to acquire information on the process of acquiring the necessary documentation and applying for a study permit.

Manitoba PAL Application

Starting from March 4th, Manitoba has commenced the issuance of PALs to international students. In 2024, the province has been granted a total of 18,652 study permits.

Like in other provincial systems, students need to check with their selected Designated Learning Institution (DLI) about the precise procedure for obtaining a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) from the government of Manitoba.

Nova Scotia PAL Application

Starting from March 28th, Nova Scotia has commenced the issuance of PALs (Possession and Acquisition Licences) to overseas students.

In 2024, the IRCC has granted the province a total of 20,378 study permits. The majority (89%) of this allocation will be distributed to the province’s universities and Nova Scotia Community College, while the remaining will be allocated to private vocational colleges and language schools.

Saskatchewan PAL Application

Starting from March 13th, Saskatchewan has commenced the issuance of PALs to international students.

In 2024, the province has been assigned a total of 15,054 study permits, which is a slight rise compared to the previous year, 2023.

Like in other provincial systems, students should contact their chosen Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Saskatchewan for further information on how to obtain a provincial attestation letter.

New Brunswick PAL Application

Starting from March 18th, New Brunswick has commenced the issuance of PALs to international students. In 2024, the province has been assigned a total of 14,651 study permits that are available for future allocation.

Like in other provinces, students should contact their selected Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to inquire about the process of applying for and obtaining a PAL.

Newfoundland & Labrador PAL Application

Effective from March 19th, Newfoundland and Labrador has commenced the issuance of PALs to international students. In 2024, the province has been granted a total of 3,153 possible study permits, which is slightly higher than the previous year.

Students may contact their selected educational institution in the province to learn about the procedure for obtaining a PAL. Additional details will be provided on this platform upon official announcement by the provincial administration.

Prince Edward Island PAL Application

Effective from March 27th, Prince Edward Island (PEI) has commenced the issuance of PALs to international students.

In 2024, the federal government has assigned the province a total of 2,312 study permits. Out of these allocations, the University of Prince Edward Island will receive the largest share, amounting to 59%. Holland College will receive 35% of the allocations, while College de l’Ile will receive 6%.

Conclusion

With the recent revisions to Canadian immigration procedures involving study permits, obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) has become a crucial step for many overseas students wishing to study in Canada. The introduction of PALs alongside the usual Letter of Acceptance (LOA) demonstrates the Canadian government’s commitment to regulating the flood of overseas students while guaranteeing a long-term growth trajectory for its educational institutions and economy.

At Global Campus, we realise the necessity of remaining current on immigration regulations and procedures. We are here to guide and help you in getting your PAL and navigating the challenges of study abroad. Our team is committed to offering full assistance to overseas students, from selecting the best university to obtaining the documents required for a successful study permit application.

As each province implements its PAL application process, we recommend students to contact us for personalised help. Whether you want to study in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, or Prince Edward Island, our network of resources and expertise extends across Canada to ensure a smooth transition to your educational journey.

With our assistance, you can begin your academic journey in Canada with confidence, knowing you have a reliable partner in Global Campus every step of the way. Contact us now to begin planning your future as an international student in Canada.

FAQs

How long does it take to obtain provincial attestation for a Canadian student visa?

At this point, it is unclear how long it will take, but based on precedents from the Quebec CAQ process, it could take 15-30 days on average or even less. That is dependent on the amount of applications and the capacity of the provinces.

Is there a fee to get a PAL from the institution?

No extra fee is required to request for PAL (except in Quebec as CAQ fee).

Do current students in Canada require an attestation letter to continue their studies?

No, students wishing to extend their study permit do not need an attestation letter.

Is PAL essential for students applying to the 1+1 program?

When applying for a study permit (visa) from one’s home country for the first time, PAL is required.

What happens if the student receives PAL but does not enrol for the designated intake?

The current validity of PALs is approximately one year (January 2025). The same PAL may be used to apply for the visa if the postponed intake occurs during the allowed time frame.

What happens if the student credentials listed on PAL are inaccurate?

To reissue PAL, you must give the institution the student’s accurate information. Before granting a PAL, certain universities could ask the student to verify the information.

What happens if the student's visa is denied? Will a second PAL be required?

The current validity of PALs is approximately one year (January 2025). The same PAL may be used to apply for the visa if the postponed intake occurs during the allowed time frame.

Provincial Attestation Letter for Canada Study Permit

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Table of Contents

What is Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?

Who Requires a PAL?