To address increasingly issues of housing shortages faced by international students, Canada government has implemented strict rules in 2024 that will cap international student permit applications for the next two years, with about 35% decrease in permits, and students will need to obtain attestation letter from province for study permit.
What exactly is an Provincial Attestation letter?
Attestation letters are permission documents issued by the province or territory where you plan to study. They allow you to study in that specific province. However, if you’re attending a low-quality private college, you might not get these papers. Since this requirement is new and differs between provinces, it’s wise to ask your school, which provided your Letter of Acceptance, for guidance about their attestation letter requirements.
Each province is allocated a certain number of international students, these allocations are based on a number of colleges the particular province has, the housing capacity in that province, and other such factors.
Based on the allocation, attestation letters will be issued by the province, and once you have it, you can apply for your study permit.
Note: Study permit applications are paused until 31st march for provinces to develop the process of obtaining the attestation letter.
Who will need an attestation letter?
- If you’re opting for post-secondary education
- If you’re opting for non-degree granting graduate programs (for example, certificate programs and graduate diplomas)
- And if you are not in exemption list that is listed below
Who does not need an attestation letter?
- If you applied for a study permit outside Canada before January 22, 2024, with a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from your college, you’re eligible.
- For students already in Canada looking to extend their study permit, no attestation letter is needed.
- If your learning is through online distance education (e-learning, correspondence, or Internet courses) within or outside Canada, you don’t require a study visa or permit.
- Short-term courses (6 months or less) don’t require a study permit, whether full-time or part-time, for any subject matter.
- Minor children in primary or secondary school (kindergarten to grade 12)
- Students pursuing a master’s or PhD
For those who are already living in Canada:
- You have a work permit.
- You’re a temporary resident who’s a visiting or exchange student at a designated learning institution (DLI).
- You have already finished your a course or program that lets you enroll at a DLI.
- You’re under a removal order but can’t leave Canada right now.
- You want to extend your study permit.
- You have a temporary resident permit that’s valid for at least 6 months.
- If your family member lives in Canada who:
- Holds a study permit
- Holds a work permit
- Holds a temporary resident permit valid for at least 6 months
- Is a member of the armed forces of another country under the Visiting Forces Act
- Is an accredited foreign government representative
- Is participating in certain sports activities or events
- Works in Canada for a foreign news company
How to get an Attestation letter from province?
As per the IRCC Website, each province or territory is working on a way to get an attestation letter, expected to be ready before or on March 31, 2024.
If you applied for a study permit before January 22, 2024, your application follows the old rules.
However, applications received on or after January 22, 2024, without an attestation letter will be returned by IRCC, except for those exempt.
For colleges in Quebec
Quebec does not have attestation letter but have something similar, for those who are planning to study in Quebec for over 6 months, you’ll need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the Government of Quebec, separate from the attestation letter mentioned earlier. Your school can guide you on how to apply for the CAQ.
If you planning to study for less than 6 months, you don’t need CAQ from the province.
Attestation letters from provinces of Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Colombia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and New found land and labrador are developing their PAL acquire procedure that will be public on or before 31st march.
How can I get a PAL in British Columbia (B.C.)
In British Columbia, there are 83,000 spots for international students to get study permits. The province has decided that 53% of these spots will go to students at public colleges and universities, and the other 47% to students at private schools if they meet the PAL requirements listed here.
Here’s what happens in B.C.:
- Schools approved by the government (called DLIs) will give international students two important papers: a PAL and a Letter of Acceptance (LOA).
- Students use these papers to apply for their permission to study in Canada.
How can I get a PAL in Alberta
Alberta, which makes up approximately 11.5% of Canada’s population, is receiving only 6.8% of the country’s study permit applications. Alberta is also giving out PALs through its schools but hasn’t said how many. Here’s how it works:
- First, a student gets an LOA from a school.
- After the student decides to go to that school, accept the offer, School will ask for PAL on the behalf of student.
- Then, with both the PAL and LOA, the student can apply for their study permit.
How can I get a PAL in Manitoba
Starting March 4th, Manitoba began its PAL program, but hasn’t given many details yet.
- Like in other places, students need to talk to their school to find out how to get a PAL from Manitoba. School will ask PAL from province on the behalf of the student.
How can I get a PAL in Ontario
Ontario has also introduced a process for getting a PAL, or Ontario Provincial Attestation Letter, in response to federal rules limiting international student numbers.
Led by Minister Jill Dunlop on March 27, the province wants to attract top students while focusing on programs like healthcare and skilled trades.
Most spots will go to public schools, people who studying in In-demand jobs in Ontario, or with priority given to French speakers. Ontario also wants to ensure international students have good housing and mental health support through their Ontario attestation letter.
After studying, students can apply for work permits, but this won’t be possible for those at private colleges from May 15, 2024.
These changes are aimed at meeting job needs while making studying in Ontario a great experience. You can learn more here.
How can I get a PAL in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia’s international student visa allowance has been cut by 35%. For the 2024-25 academic year, the province is allowed to accept 12,900 international students.
Nova Scotia received an allocation to distribute among its institutions:
- Total applications this year: 12,900 (down from 19,000 last year)
- Allocation divided among 32 institutions:
- 11,565 to universities and the Nova Scotia Community College
- 710 to private career colleges
- 526 to language schools
- The province retains 99 spots for flexibility.
The student will have to get an LOA from a Nova Scotia DLI-approved institute and then the college will ask for PAL on the behalf of the student.
How can I get a PAL in Saskatchewan
Starting from March 13th, Saskatchewan has started using their PAL system.
Students should ask their chosen school in Saskatchewan how to apply for a PAL. More information will be shared here once the provincial government releases it
How can I get a PAL in Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is allowed 2,000 international Students through Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
Last year, out of 3,200 offers made to international students, only 675 enrolled, resulting in a conversion rate of 21%. With the new cap set at 606,250 study permit applications nationwide, Prince Edward Island is allowed 2,000 new international students across all its colleges and universities. UPEI is allotted 1,185 spots.
Similar to other provinces, the School will be asking for PAL from the province.
How can I get a PAL in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)
Undergraduate applicants in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) follow these steps to obtain a PAL:
- Receive an email to complete a Student Visa Attestation Letter Request Form online after getting acceptance and getting into college.
- Fill out the form, including passport information, for NL Government review.
- NL Government issues PAL if approved to your college.
- Applicants not receiving PAL will be notified by your university.
The PAL process starts for different semesters accordingly.
How can I get a PAL in New Brunswick
New Brunswick started its PAL process on March 18. International students should reach out to their designated learning institution (DLI) for application details.
DLIs may vary in their procedures; for example, the University of New Brunswick, accepts students pay a non-refundable tuition deposit to confirm enrollment.
Unversity then requests a PAL from the province on behalf of the student, typically taking 2-3 weeks to process. Once ready, students receive an email notification from your university.
How can I get a PAL in Other Provinces
Not every place in Canada has started giving out PALs to international students yet. Provinces have until March 31st to set up their systems.
Keep an eye on this page for updates as more provinces start their PAL programs.
Programs Not Eligible for Attestation Letter
Here are few programs that are not eligible for Provincial Attestation Letter:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an attestation letter if my file is under process?
No, if you have applied before January 22, 2024, you would not need an attestation letter from the province. Even if you have LOA from college, and have not applied yet, you are still eligible to apply without having to obtain attestation letter.
What if I have a valid LOA from my college but haven’t applied for a Canadian study permit before January 22, 2024?
Having an LOA from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is still necessary to apply for a study visa or permit, and you’ll need it to obtain an attestation letter if you haven’t applied for study permit yet or before January 22, 2024.
You will need to wait until 31st march, 2024 to obtain attestation letter, and once you have the letter you will need to submit the application.
I want to extend my study permit, do I need attestation letter?
No, if you are already in Canada, and wants to get new program or wants to extend your stay in Canada, you won’t need to get attestation letter from province.
Does an Attestation letter mean study permit approval?
No, having a provincial attestation letter (PAL) is a necessary step when applying for a Canadian study permit, but it does not guarantee approval of the student visa.
What changes were made to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for graduates of master’s degree programs?
From February 15, 2024, If you have graduated from master’s degree programs that are less than two years in length are now eligible for a longer 3-year PGWP.
What are the changes regarding PGWP eligibility for public-private partnership college programs?
IRCC has restricted PGWPs for public-private partnership college programs, this has been done top protect international student for education quality and student support.
Who is eligible for a PGWP after graduating from a public-private partnership college program?
International students currently enrolled in these programs remain eligible for a PGWP if they meet other program eligibility criteria.
Who is not eligible for a PGWP after graduating from a public-private partnership college program?
New students starting from September 2024, enrolling in public-private partnership college programs will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
What changes are being made to open work permit eligibility for spouses of international students?
As of now, you can still apply for SOWP for spouses and common-law partners of international students will be updated, restricting it to those in graduate (master’s and doctorate) and professional degree–granting programs only.
Who can get an open work permit under the updated eligibility criteria?
Spouses and common-law partners of students in master’s and professional degree–granting programs will be eligible for open work permits once the changes are in effect.
Who will not be eligible for an open work permit under the updated criteria?
Spouses and common-law partners of international students in undergraduate and college programs will no longer be eligible for an open work permit unless they already hold one under this stream.
What if my LOA gets expired before 31st march, 2024?
To assist those affected by the new policy, if you applied for admission and received a confirmation of enrollment contract or LOA between November 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, most colleges will have this LOA valid to help the affected student, so you wouldn’t need to worry about your LOA to be expired.
If your file does not get processed before your program begins, you can apply for deferral.
How to apply for deferral?
- Contact the College: Reach out to the admissions or registrar’s office and know the deferral requirements.
- Review Deferral Requirements: Understand eligibility criteria and deadlines for your deferral.
- Prepare Documentation: Gather all the necessary documents for your request.
- Submit Request: Complete and submit the deferral request form, depending on college it might be different.
- Follow-Up: Stay in touch with the college for updates on your enrollment.
- Confirm Approval: Upon approval, verify the new start date and prepare for study permit application if haven’t submitted yet.
My application was withdraw cuz it was submitted on the 22 if January 2024. Since it didn’t contain PAL.. if i get the PAL do i need to redo all documents for visa application or am to use the old documents and just add the PAL to it.
If all you documents are still valid you can use your old documents in the same file with valid PAL.