PAL Letter Now Required for MaSc and PhD Students: What to Know

If you’re planning to study in Canada, there’s a new regulation you can’t miss. As of January 22, 2025, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IIRC) has expanded its Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement to include Master’s and graduate students, a significant change from previous years when only undergraduate and diploma student permit applicants needed this document.

This change is significant, but there’s no need to worry. We’re here to help you navigate it. In this article, we’ll break it down step by step and explain everything you need to know to stay informed and prepared:

• What exactly a PAL letter is and why it’s now mandatory
• How this affects your application timeline
• Step-by-step instructions to get yours
• Alternative study options if you’re looking for a simpler path to Canadian education

What Is Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?

A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) is an official document issued by a Canadian province or territory. It serves as proof that your admission to a Canadian university or college has been counted within that province’s allocated quota for international students. 

Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:

• The federal government sets an annual cap on how many international students each province can accept to better manage the number of incoming students across Canada.
• Provinces distribute these spots among their Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). 
• If you’re admitted, your DLI must request a PAL letter on your behalf to confirm your spot fits within the cap.
• Without this letter, your study permit application won’t be processed even if you’ve been accepted by a school.

Why is a PAL Now Required for MSc and PhD Students? 

The federal government introduced the PAL system in early 2024 to address rapid growth in international student numbers, which exceeded 1 million in 2023 alone. While postgraduate programs like MSc and PhD were initially exempt, they’ve been brought under the same rules to:

• Keep international student numbers sustainable
• Help provinces better plan for student housing, healthcare, and other relevant services
• Ensure fair access and consistent oversight across all types of post-secondary education

In other words, even highly skilled graduate students now fall under the same planning and approval system to prevent overload and keep resources balanced across the board. What does this mean for you?

How Letter of Attestation Requirements Affect You

International students applying for a study permit in Canada must now factor the PAL letter into their study abroad plans. This extra step in the study permit application process means: 

• Potentially longer processing times 
• Possible delays in program start dates (if not obtained in time)
• Fewer international student spots = more competition

Tip: Looking for a faster, more direct pathway into the Canadian workforce? Micro-credential programs offer career-focused, hands-on training lasting six to eight weeks—no study permit required if you have a valid visitor status. 

Who Needs an Attestation Letter Canada

Since this recent update, Provincial Attestation Letter study permit requirements now apply to most study permit applicants at the post-secondary level, including:

Some exceptions still apply. If you belong to any of the following groups, you may not need to submit an attestation letter:

• Canada international students taking up programs lasting six months or less
• Minor children applying for primary or secondary school
• Exchange students studying at a DLI for one semester or academic year and not paying tuition fees
• Students who received a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada
• Students applying for study permit extension in the same designated learning institution and level of study as the current permit allows
• Students exempt from certain study permit requirements based on public policies
• Students already in Canada with a temporary residence permit or protected person status
• Students eligible for permanent residence

Tip: Not sure whether your program or situation requires a PAL letter? Check directly with your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) or the provincial authority responsible for issuing PAL letters.

How to Get a Letter of Attestation

Getting a PAL letter isn’t something you apply for directly; it’s part of the study permit process and must come from the province or territory where your school is located. Here’s how the PAL process usually works:

1. Apply and get accepted to a DLI.
2. Receive your Letter of Acceptance from the DLI.
3. Your school requests the PAL letter on your behalf. 
4. Wait for the province to process and issue your PAL.
5. Submit your PAL with your study permit application, along with other documents.

The process of requesting your DLI to secure your PAL may vary from school to school and province to province. In most cases, the DLI will require students to accept their admission offer and pay a tuition deposit before they can initiate the PAL request. Always check with your college or university to confirm their PAL request process and timelines!

Tip: What is the PAL letter’s validity? Unless your PAL letter has a printed expiration date, it’s valid until December 31, 2025. You’ll have until then to apply for a study permit, but don’t wait till the last minute! Your PAL letter must still be valid when you submit your study permit application.

A More Accessible Road to the Canadian Experience

Not sure if a lengthy Canadian graduate program is right for you, especially with the new PAL letter requirements? Test the waters first! Starting with a co-op program at ILAC International College can give you the Canadian study-work experience and cultural insight that grad schools love to see. Enjoy:

• Shorter, career-focused programs (six months to one year)
• Built-in Canadian work experience through co-op placements
• Industry-relevant skills that employers value immediately
• Smaller class sizes for more personalized support

If you choose a six-month certificate program, you can even study in Canada without tackling the study permit process. Before committing to a multi-year Master’s or PhD program, this is your chance to experience Canada firsthand—academically, professionally, and culturally—so you can be sure it’s the right fit for your future.

Get a feel for Canada and build your confidence with ILAC International College. Contact us today to explore our programs and learn more about how we can help you kickstart your Canadian study experience! 

Disclaimer: The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and is in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. Note this is not a legal document and the information provided within this article may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.

Visa approval success is contingent on eligibility and direct screening by IRCC.