Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) are now a vital requirement for international students in Canada. By ensuring high educational standards and promoting a balanced distribution of students across provinces, PALs safeguard the integrity of the Canadian education system and enhance your study experience.

A PAL is an official document issued by a Canadian provincial government confirming that an international student has been accepted into a designated educational institution within that province. This letter is an essential part of the study permit application process and must be included when applying to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to verify that the student is enrolled in a legitimate and recognized program.

Purpose of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs)

PALs play a crucial role in regulating and managing the influx of international students in Canada. They ensure that only genuine students, who have been properly vetted and accepted into recognized programs, are granted study permits. This helps maintain the integrity of the education system and manage the capacity of educational institutions.

PALs also ensure quality assurance by allowing only institutions meeting specific standards to accept international students, thereby maintaining high education quality. Additionally, they facilitate a balanced distribution of students across institutions and regions and enable provincial governments to collect accurate data for future planning. In response to multiple cases of fraudulent acceptance letters and admission offer scandals in 2023, new measures were launched to enhance and protect the International Student Program, highlighting the importance of PALs in maintaining the integrity, capacity, quality, and balanced distribution of Canada’s education system.

Who Needs a Provincial Attestation Letter?

• Most post-secondary study permit applicants
• Most non-degree granting graduate programs (e.g., certificate programs and graduate diplomas)
• Anyone else not included in the exception list below

Who Doesn’t Need a Provincial Attestation Letter?

Certain groups are exempt from the PAL requirement:

• Primary and secondary school students
• Students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees
• In-Canada visiting or exchange students studying at a designated learning institution within Canada
• Current study permit and work permit holders residing in Canada, including those applying for an extension
• Family members of study permit or work permit holders who are already in Canada
• Students whose applications were received before 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024

How to Obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

For Schools Outside of Quebec:

Before applying for your study permit, you must apply for a PAL. Contact your educational institution for specific application procedures. Once you have received your PAL, you can proceed with your study permit application.

For Schools in Quebec:

If you plan to study in Quebec, you will need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before applying for your study permit. This certificate serves as your provincial attestation and is issued by the Government of Quebec. To apply for a CAQ, contact your school for guidance on the application process.

For the CAQ to function as your provincial attestation letter, it must include the following 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.”

Note that CAQs for applications received before 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024, do not require this specific statement.