Three more Canadian provinces have implemented systems for issuing Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to international students applying for a Canadian study permit.
As of January 22, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires that provinces issue PALs according to the allocation of study permits they have been granted under the newly introduced cap on study permits for 2024.
New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador are the latest batch of provinces to set up a system for issuing PALs. They join British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba. All remaining provinces and territories have until March 31 to begin issuing the letters.
Details are not yet available for Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or any of Canada’s northern territories.
Getting a PAL in New Brunswick
According to IRCC, New Brunswick has had a PAL process in place since March 18. It advises international students to contact their designated learning institution (DLI) to find out how to apply.
While each DLI in the province may have a slightly different process for obtaining a PAL, most schools will require that students complete a series of steps to apply.
For example, the University of New Brunswick (UNB) advises international students who have been accepted to log in to their student account and ensure that they have paid a non-refundable deposit on their tuition. UNB says this acts as proof of a student’s intention to attend classes.
The school will then request a PAL from the province on the student’s behalf and notify them by email when it has been processed. Processing time is expected to take two weeks. Students may then download their PAL to submit with their final study permit application.
Getting a PAL in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador’s PAL system was implemented as of March 19, 2024.
Like other provincial systems, international students are advised to contact their DLI to apply for their PAL.
Memorial University in St. John’s has the largest number of international students of any DLI in the province. It says it will “contact admitted students via email to collect any additional information required for the attestation letter process” starting with students who intend to start in the May 2024 semester. Further details are not available.
Getting a PAL in Saskatchewan
IRCC’s official webpage says that the PAL process for Saskatchewan has been in place since March 13. International students are advised to contact their DLI to get their PAL.
No additional details on getting a PAL are available from any of the province’s most prominent post-secondary institutions.
