Canadian Provincial Attestation Letters

What is a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?

Following a new international student cap imposed by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in January of 2024, some international students wishing to study in Canada will now need a PAL in addition to a letter of acceptance (LOA) to apply for their study permits. The study cap—which in 2024 will allow up to 360,000 approved study permits this year—is divided among Canada's provinces and territories, based on their respective populations. 

The PAL is a method by which province's verify that the acceptance of a specific international student contributes to their respective allocation of international students. Students must now receive an LOA from their Designated Learning Institution (DLI)—the only schools in Canada allowed to accept international students—as well as a PAL from the province or territory that their DLI is located in, before applying for their study permits. 

Who needs a PAL?

PALs are a requirement for:

• Most post-secondary study permit applicants (i.e. undergraduate university and college students); and
• Most non-degree granting graduate programs (for example, certificate programs and graduate diplomas).

PALs are not required by:

• Primary and secondary school students;
• Master’s or doctoral degree 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.

Basic steps towards getting a PAL

Under the new PAL issuance systems, some international students looking to study in Canada will first need an LOA from their chosen DLI, and to confirm their acceptance with their school (usually by way of a deposit). The exact details around the monetary amount and nature of the deposit can vary depending on the specific DLI that an international student attends, thus IRCC recommends that students correspond directly with the school to understand the specific information relevant to them. 

Once admission is confirmed, DLIs will then apply to the relevant provincial government on the student's behalf for a PAL. Once a PAL is received, schools will make it available to the student, who may then use the letter, along with their LOA and other needed documents, to obtain a Canadian study permit.

What information should be included in a PAL?

According to ministerial instructions released by IRCC, at a minimum the following information should be included in a PAL for an international student:

An applicant (international student's):

• Full name;
• Date of birth; and 
• Address.

Getting a PAL in Ontario

As of March 28th, 2024, Ontario has begun issuing PALs to international students. 

Ontario has been allocated 235,000 study permits from the federal government in 2024.

The province's study permit allocations also come with certain conditions for DLIs. The vast majority of allocations determined by the provincial government have been given to public post-secondary institutions (96%), with a much smaller allocation (4%) being delivered to private post-secondary institutions and language schools.

Getting a PAL in Quebec

Quebec has begun issuing PALs to international students. The province has received an allocation of 117,917 study permits in 2024. 

IRCC has confirmed that a Certificat d'Acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) can function as a PAL, if the document contains the following line: "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 is a document issued by the Quebec provincial government, to certify that an applicant has met the province's admission criteria. International students must submit a CAQ (in addition to an LOA) as part of their application for a study permit, to IRCC. 

For more information on studying in Quebec, visit our dedicated webpage here. 

Getting a PAL in British Columbia

As of March 4th, 2024, British Columbia (B.C.) has begun issuing PALs to international students.

B.C. has been allocated 83,000 undergraduate study permits under their provincial allocation from the federal study cap. The province says that 53% of PALs will be for public post-secondary institutions and the remaining 47% will be for private institutions. 

Getting a PAL in Alberta

As of March 1st, 2024, Alberta has begun issuing PALs to international students. The province has been allocated 40,894 study permits in 2024, representing a slight increase in potential international students from 2023. 

As with other provincial systems, international students looking to study in Alberta should inquire with their specific DLI to better understand the process of obtaining the document, and subsequently applying for a study permit. 

Getting a PAL in Manitoba

As of March 4th, Manitoba has begun issuing PALs to international students. The province has been allocated a total of 18,652 potential study permits in 2024. 

Similar to other provincial systems, students must inquire with their chosen DLI about the specific process of receiving a PAL from the Manitoban government. More information will be available here once announced publicly.

Getting a PAL in Nova Scotia

As of March 28th, Nova Scotia has begun issuing PALs to international students.

The province has been allocated 20,378 study permits by IRCC in 2024. Most (89%) of this allocation will be given to the province’s universities and Nova Scotia Community College, with the remaining allocations assigned to private career colleges and language schools.

Getting a PAL in Saskatchewan

As of March 13th, Saskatchewan has begun issuing PALs to international students.

The province has been allocated a potential 15,054 study permits in 2024, representing a modest increase from 2023. 

As with other provincial systems, students should inquire with their selected DLI for more details on obtaining a PAL in Saskatchewan. 

Getting a PAL in New Brunswick

As of March 18th, New Brunswick has begun issuing PALs to international students. The province has been allocated 14,651 potential study permits in 2024. 

Similar to other provinces, students should inquire with their chosen DLI about how to apply for and acquire a PAL. 

Getting a PAL in Newfoundland and Labrador

As of March 19th, Newfoundland and Labrador has started issuing PALs to international students. The province has been allocated a total of 3,153 potential study permits in 2024, representing a slight increase from the previous year. 

Students must inquire with their chosen school in the province about how to receive a PAL. More information will be posted here when announced by the provincial government. 

Getting a PAL in Prince Edward Island

As of March 27th, Prince Edward Island (PEI) has started issuing PALs to international students.

The province has been allocated 2,312 study permits by the federal government in 2024. The majority of these allocations—59%—will go to the University of Prince Edward Island, with a remaining 35% allocated to Holland College, and 6% to College de l’Ile.

Contact the Cohen Immigration Law Firm for Assistance

Do you need assistance studying in Canada? The Cohen Immigration Law Firm can help. Cohen Immigration Law offers over 45 years of Canadian immigration expertise.

Please contact us to schedule a free telephone consultation with one of our lawyers.

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