Provincial Attestation Letter in Canada Essential For a Study Permit

The Canadian government has made the Provincial Attestation Letter or Territorial attestation letter mandatory for student permits in Canada. All international students applying for undergraduate and college study permits in Canada should get a PAL. This should be issued by the specific province in which the college or university they intend to study resides. The new requirement introduced by IRCC aims to address existing issues in the international student program. The attestation letter from a Canadian Province also ensures that the provincial quota set for international student intake is met. 

What is a Canadian PAL?

The Canadian IRCC department has introduced PAL to distribute international students more evenly across different Provinces or Territories. The attestation letter is an official document issued by a Canadian province or territory to international students. This confirms that the student has been officially accepted into an educational institution within the province. A Provincial Attestation Letter in Canada typically contains the key information about an international student like their name, contact details, etc. Also, it will have a confirmation that they have been accepted by a Canadian institution in that particular province. 

International Student Policy Change 2024

IRCC Department of Canada has made some major changes to International student visa rules with effect from January 22, 2024. As a part of this, an official attestation letter from a Canadian province is made mandatory for student permits in Canada. The provinces and territories were asked to prepare a set of rules for PAL applications by March 31, 2024. Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) will serve as PAL for students planning to study in Canada at higher education institutions in Quebec Province.

Significance of PAL in IRCC Study Permit

Canadian Provinces issue attestation letters to international students according to their capacity to accommodate students. The federal government has incorporated PAL as a study permit requirement as a measure to curb the influx of international students to Canada. This also ensures that only eligible candidates accepted to recognized academic programs in Canadian universities are issued a study permit. The PAL helps in maintaining the integrity of the Canadian education system. In the current scheme, only those institutions meeting quality standards can accept international students. The Attestation letter issued by Canadian provinces ensures an equitable distribution of the international student population across the country. 

Who Issues a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter?

The Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter in Canada is issued by respective provinces or territories. However, the application and receipt of PALs will be made through a Designation Learning Institute in Canada. The PAL applications of international students who have been accepted for an academic program will be directly forwarded by the institutions. After proper scrutiny, the Canadian Province will issue PAL for eligible candidates which you can collect from your DLI.

PAL Canada: Step-by-step Procedure To Apply

The government of Canada has instructed individual provinces to set their own rules for PAL application. Hence, the procedures to apply may differ slightly depending on the provinces. The normal procedure to apply for a Provincial Attestation Letter in Canada is as follows:

• Step 1: The international students must first obtain a Letter of Acceptance(LOA) from a Designated Learning Institute in Canada. To get the LOA, students must pay an initial deposit or fee as set by the DLI.
• Step 2: Once the Letter of Acceptance is issued, the DLI acknowledges the student’s admission and will forward an application on behalf of the student to the concerned provincial government. 
• Step 3: If the application is approved the respective Canadian province issues the attestation letter and makes it available to the student through their Designated Learning Institute. 

Documents Required for PAL

The most important documents required for PAL in Canada are

• A valid passport
• Letter of Acceptance issued by a DLI in Canada
• Proof of minimum financial requirements, etc.

Who all needs a Provincial Attestation Letter?

A Canadian PAL is required for an IRCC study permit under the international student program in Canada. Even though there are some exceptions, all candidates applying for:

• Undergraduate degrees or College Study Programs
• Diplomas or Certificate programs
• Academic programs that last 6 months or lesser

Canada PAL is not mandatory for international students planning to pursue:

• PhD programs
• Master’s level degree
• Pre-primary, primary, and secondary-level programs
• Vocational training in Quebec that awards:

• Skills Training Certificate (STC) or
• Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) or
• Attestation of vocational specialization (AVS) 

Major Provinces Issuing PAL For International Students

Most of the Canadian Provinces and Territories have started issuing PAL for international students from March 2024. The major provinces, their potential number of student permits, and the start date of issue are given below. 

The Canadian government has stated that the introduction of PAL will ultimately benefit international students as there will be adequate availability of housing and other resources. The Provincial Attestation Letter or PAL in Canada is thus crucial for your study in Canada. In fact, it is only one of the requirements for a study permit. Students planning to pursue their higher education in Canada can consult study abroad consultants in Kerala for more information. Expert consultants will assist you in obtaining a student permit in Canada.