provincial attestation letter (PAL)
Do you need PAL or so-called Provincial Attestation Letter, here’s what you need to know:
As an international student aiming to study in Canada, it can be challenging and overwhelming to gather all the documents and fill out the information correctly to present in your study permit application being submitted to IRCC. As if that was not enough, now you need to obtain PAL to attach along with your study permit application.
It is crucial to understand the key documents required for a successful application. We recommend consulting experts in immigration at TNC Immigration to help you with your study permit application.
What is PAL?
The Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is a mandatory requirement for international students
applying for a study permit in Canada. It acts as evidence that your study permit application is
within the designated application limit for a specific province or territory. Upon reaching this limit,
the province or territory will discontinue the issuance of PALs.
Introduced by the IRCC in 2024, PAL is designed to regulate the number of international students and immigrants in Canada.
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Is PAL needed for your Canadian Study Permit?
IRCC has announced that Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is needed for most of the international students applying for a study permit to Canada:
- Official Validation: The PAL demonstrates that your study permit application complies
with the approved quota for your selected province or territory, aiding in the smooth
processing of your application. Absence of a valid PAL could lead to the rejection of your
application, as it is a compulsory document.
- Hassle-free Application: Obtaining a PAL demonstrates your commitment to studying in Canada and following proper immigration procedures. PAL also keeps a check on Canadian colleges so that colleges are not overwhelmed with too many international students and are able to provide good education to the international students enrolled as per high Canadian standards. You may need to attach PAL with your study permit application to prevent unnecessary delays or complications in the processing of your study permit application.
Who Needs a PAL?
Each of the international student will be required to obtain a PAL unless they meet the exemptions below. We recommend searching on IRCC website to stay regularly updated with the changes in the exemption of PAL.
You don’t need a PAL/TAL when applying for a study permit if any of the following applies to you.
- You’re applying to study at a
- preschool
- primary school (including kindergarten)
- secondary school (up to grade 12)
- federally designated military college or
- school in Quebec in a vocational training program that leads to one of the following:
- a diploma of vocational studies (DVS)
- an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS) or
- a skills training certificate (STC)
- You’re applying to study in a master’s degree or doctoral degree program.
- You’ve received a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada.
- You’re eligible for an exemption from study permit requirements based on a public policy as part of a migration response to a crisis or other pressure.
- You’ve entered Canada and one of the following situations applies to you:
- You’re applying for a study permit extension or to restore your status.
- You have a work permit, unless you received it through International Experience Canada.
- You’re a temporary resident who is a visiting or exchange student studying at a designated learning institution (DLI).
- You’re under a removal order, but can’t be removed from Canada at this time.
- You have a temporary resident permit valid for at least 6 months.
- You’re a protected person.
- You’re eligible for permanent residence
- based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
- based on a current public policy, or
- as a spouse or common-law partner (through the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class).
- You’ve entered Canada and you’re the family member of a foreign national who lives in Canada and who is in one of the following situations:
- a study permit holder
- a work permit holder
- a temporary resident permit holder with a permit that’s valid for at least 6 months
- a member of armed forces in another country under the Visiting Forces Act
- an accredited foreign government representative
- a participant in certain sports activities or events
- a worker in Canada who is a member of a foreign news company
- a religious worker
- a protected person
- eligible for permanent residence based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
- eligible for permanent residence based on a current public policy
- eligible for permanent residence as a spouse or common-law partner (through the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class)
While PAL may seem like an extra step for those applying for study permits in Canada, it is an
essential process that cannot be overlooked. Understanding the correct process and completing
the paperwork accurately can increase your chances of success and bring you one step closer
to your dream of studying in Canada. You may reach out to our teams of experts at TNC Immigration if you need assistance with your study permit application to Canada