If you intend to study in Canada in 2024, there are a few things you should consider.
International students contribute significantly to Canada’s communities, campuses, and economy.
However, due to the unsustainable increase in the International Student Program in recent years, IRCC has demanded that international students include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from a province or territory with their study permit application.
This measure has been taken to strengthen system integrity and provide a positive overall experience for students in Canada.
What exactly constitutes a Provincial Attestation Letter?
Attestation letters are permission paperwork issued by the province or territory where you intend to study.
They allow you to study in a specific province. However, if you attend a low-quality private college, you may not receive these papers.
Because this requirement is new and varies by province, it is best to consult your institution, which delivered your Letter of Acceptance, for information on their attestation letter requirements.
Each province is given a set number of international students, which is determined by the number of colleges in that province, the province’s housing capacity, and other considerations.
The province will give attestation letters based on the allocation, after which you can apply for your study permit.
Note: Study permit applications have been delayed until March 31st to allow provinces to develop the procedure for receiving the attestation letters.
Why do we need a PAL?
The Government of Canada has placed a two-year intake cap on international student permit applications, 2024-2025.
For 2024, the maximum is 360,000 granted study permits, a 35% reduction from 2023. This cap has been further distributed across Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, weighted on population.
This attestation will function as proof that the student was included in the national limit under a provincial or territorial allocation.
Who Will Need an Attestation Letter?
- If you’re choosing for postsecondary education
- If you choose non-degree-granting graduate programs (such as certificate programs and graduate diplomas).
Who Doesn’t Require an Attestation Letter?
- If, before January 22, 2024, you applied for a study visa outside of Canada and submitted a copy of your college’s acceptance letter (LOA), you are qualified.
- Students who are currently in Canada and want to extend their study permit do not need an attestation letter.
- A study visa or permit is not required if you are learning through online distance education (e-learning, correspondence, or Internet courses) in or outside of Canada.
- A study permit is not required for short-term courses (6 months or less), whether full-time or part-time, in any field.
- Minor children in primary or secondary school (kindergarten through grade 12)
- Students seeking a master’s or PhD
For those who already reside in Canada:
- You hold a work permit.
- You are a temporary resident and a visiting or exchange student at a designated learning institution (DLI).
- You have already completed a course or program that qualifies you to enroll at a DLI.
- You have a removal order but cannot leave Canada right now.
- You wish to extend your study permission.
- You hold a temporary residency permit that is valid for at least six months.
If your family member resides in Canada, who:
- Holds a study permit
- Holds a work permit
- Holds a temporary residency permit valid for at least six months.
How can I receive an attestation letter from the province?
According to the IRCC website, each province and territory is working on a method to obtain an attestation letter, which is expected to be ready before or on March 31, 2024.
If you apply for a study visa before January 22, 2024, your application will be processed under the existing rules.
Unless they are exempt, the IRCC will, nevertheless, return applications received on or after January 22, 2024, if they do not include an attestation letter.
For colleges in Quebec
Quebec does not have an attestation letter, but it does have something comparable. If you plan to study in Quebec for more than 6 months, you will require a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the Government of Quebec, which is separate from the attestation letter stated previously. Your school can help you apply for the CAQ.
If you want to study for less than six months, you do not require a CAQ from the province. Attestation letters from the provinces of Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Colombia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador are establishing their PAL acquisition procedure, which will be public on or around March 31.
How can I get a PAL in British Columbia (B.C.)
International students can obtain study permits in British Columbia, which has 83,000 spaces available.
The province has determined that 53% of these slots will go to students at public colleges and institutions, with the remaining 47% going to students at private schools who meet the PAL standards outlined below.
Here is what happens in British Columbia:
- Schools licensed by the government (known as DLIs) will provide overseas students with two key documents: a PAL and a Letter of Acceptance (LOA).
- Students use these papers to apply for authorization to study in Canada.
How Can I Get a PAL in Alberta?
Alberta, which accounts for around 11.5% of Canada’s population, receives only 6.8% of all study permit applications. Alberta is also distributing PALs through its schools, but it has not stated how many. This is how it works.
First, a student receives a Letter of Authorization from their school.
After the student decides to attend that school and accepts the offer, the school will request PAL on behalf of the kid.
Then, using both the PAL and the LOA, the student can apply for study permission.
How Can I Obtain a PAL in Manitoba?
Manitoba’s PAL program began on March 4th, although little information has been released thus far.
Students must contact their school to learn how to obtain a PAL from Manitoba, just as they would elsewhere. The school will request PAL from the province on behalf of the student.
How can I get a PAL in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia’s foreign student visa grant has been reduced by 35%. The province has been granted permission to welcome 12,900 international students for the school year 2024-25.
This is a drop from prior years as a result of national measures to control the rise of international student enrollment.
The student must get a Letter of Authorization from a Nova Scotia DLI-approved institute before the college can request PAL on their behalf.
How do I get a PAL in Prince Edward Island?
Prince Edward Island allows 2,000 international students to use Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs).
Last year, just 675 international students registered, representing a 21% conversion rate. With the increased ceiling of 606,250 study visa applications worldwide, Prince Edward Island can accept 2,000 new international students across all of its colleges and universities. UPEI has 1,185 places.
Similar to other provinces, the school will request PAL from the province.
How Do I Get a PAL in Other Provinces?
Not every location in Canada has begun issuing PALs to international students. Provinces have until March 31st to establish their systems.
Keep an eye on this website for updates as other provinces implement PAL programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an attestation letter for an overseas student in Canada?
The attestation letters are intended to verify that students have been accounted for under the federal government’s cap on international students, as it cracks down on private post-secondary institutions accused of abusing foreign students.
What is an attestation letter for a student?
Attestation letters are sent to completed/continuing students upon request to introduce them to an organization or institution. The letter specifies the student’s status and may be issued in place of missing certificates.
What attestation is necessary in Canada?
The Canada attestation requires all personal and educational credentials, academic or personal, issued in India to be attested by the Consulate or Embassy in Canada for further attestation by the MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Canada) before granting a visa.
Do I need an attestation letter if my file is being processed?
No, if you applied before January 22, 2024, you won’t require an attestation letter from the province. Even if you have a letter of recommendation from college but have not yet applied, you are still eligible to apply without requiring an attestation letter.
I wish to extend my study permit; do I need an attestation letter?
No, if you are currently in Canada and wish to pursue a new program or prolong your stay, you will not be required to obtain an attestation letter from the province.
Is an attestation letter equivalent to a study permit approval?
No, a provincial attestation letter (PAL) is necessary to apply for a study permit in Canada, but having one does not ensure that the student visa will be approved.
What modifications have been made to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for master’s program graduates?
Beginning February 15, 2024, graduates of master’s degree programs lasting fewer than two years will be eligible for a longer three-year PGWP.
What are the changes to PGWP eligibility for public-private partnership college programs?
The IRCC has prohibited PGWPs from participating in public-private partnership college programs to protect international students’ educational quality and student support.
Who qualifies for a PGWP after graduating from a public-private partnership college program?
International students presently enrolled in these programs are still eligible for a PGWP if they meet the other program eligibility requirements.
Who is ineligible for a PGWP after graduating from a public-private partnership college program?
Starting in September 2024, new students enrolled in public-private partnership college programs will be ineligible for a post-graduate work visa.
What adjustments are being made to allow overseas students’ spouses to obtain work permits?
As of now, you can still apply for SOWP for wives and common-law partners of international students, but it will be limited to those pursuing graduate (master’s and doctoral) and professional degree-granting programs.
Who qualifies for an open work permit under the new qualifying criteria?
Spouses and common-law partners of students pursuing master’s and professional degrees will be eligible for open work permits once the rules take effect.
Who will be ineligible for an open work permit under the amended criteria?
Spouses and common-law partners of overseas students in undergraduate and college programs will no longer be eligible for an open work permit unless they already have one in this category.
What if my LOA expires before March 31st, 2024?
To help those impacted by the new regulation, most colleges will keep your confirmation of enrollment contract (LOA) active to support the affected student until March 31, 2024, so you won’t have to worry about it expiring if you applied for admission and obtained it between November 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.
If your paperwork is not processed before your program begins, you may apply for deferral.
How do I apply for deferral?
- Contact the College: Contact the admissions or registrar’s office to find out about the deferral criteria.
- Review the Deferral Requirements: Understand the eligibility requirements and dates for your deferral.
- Prepare documentation: Collect all of the relevant documentation for your request.
- Submit the Request: Complete and submit the deferral request form; depending on the college, it may be different.
- Follow-up: Stay in touch with the college to receive updates on your enrollment.
- Confirm Approval: Once approved, verify the revised start date and prepare for the study permit application, if it has not yet been submitted.
Conclusion
Due to the IRCC’s severe requirements, an Attestation Letter is essential for obtaining a Study Permit and beginning your academic career in Canada.
Furthermore, understanding the process and adhering to regulations is critical for a seamless educational experience.
