Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Canada: How to Apply, Validity and More
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To control the number of upcoming international students in Canada, the IRCC introduced the Canadian Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). International students who are coming to Canada for UG studies need to have a PAL. It is an important document to apply for a student visa.
A Provincial Attestation Letter or PAL Canada is an important document to study in Canada for UG students. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced PAL Canada in January 2024. International students have to get a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study. PAL is a mandatory document for a Canada Study Permit.
In easy words, a Provincial Attestation Letter is like an approval provided by the Canadian Province where your university or college is located. It’s like an assurance that a student got admission to a university in a certain province and now he/she should get a student visa. PAL aims to control the number of new international students coming to Canada. In this blog, we will understand about PAL Canada for Indian students, the application process and more.
- What is PAL Canada?
- Who Needs PAL Canada?
- How to Get a PAL From India?
What is PAL Canada?
Canada is one of the best countries to study abroad. Top universities, a better education system, and growing job opportunities are the top reasons to attract lakhs of international students. Because of this, the country is facing a housing crisis at affordable rent. To control this, the IRCC put a cap on international student numbers to control immigration. The IRCC introduced a Provincial Attestation Letter for International students who are coming to Canada for UG studies.
The Canadian PAL acts as a proof that student’s admission aligns with the designated quota fixed for a province or territory. It's required for undergraduate study permit applications from international students. The intent of introducing the Canadian Provincial Attestation Letter is to distribute international students more evenly across Canada. This will ensure that Canadian provinces have the required resources to support international students.
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Who Needs PAL Canada?
PAL or Provincial Attestation Letter is required for studying UG programs offered by colleges and universities in Canada. In case, an Indian student wants to pursue a Bachelor's degree from a Canadian educational institute then they'll need a PAL. To study undergraduate and non-degree levels requires a Provincial attestation letter.
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Who Does Not Need a PAL?
Below, we have mentioned the conditions where a student does not need a PAL to study in Canada.
- Indian students pursuing primary/secondary education.
- Indian students in master's or Ph.D. programs.
- You have a study permit and are applying for a study permit extension.
- You have a temporary resident permit valid for at least 6 months.
- Indian students who want to study in universities located in Quebec province.
Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
An international student needs a Quebec Acceptance Certificate and not PAL to study in Quebec province. The government of Quebec issues an attestation letter to international students. The intention of this attestation letter is similar to the PAL. A Quebec Acceptance Certificate confirms that the applicant has a place in Quebec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it.
How to Get a PAL From India?
To get a Provincial Attestation Letter, you need to follow three steps.
- Get an admission offer letter
- Pay the tuition fees
- Receive your PAL
Here is the step-by-step process to apply for PAL from India:
- Identify the province where your university is located.
- Visit the website of your university, there you'll find a separate section for PAL.
- You can also check the provincial government website.
- Contact the designated authority
- Keep the required documents handy (Passport, Letter of Acceptance, GIC, etc).
- Submit your application
- Processing and Issuing of PAL.
List of Required Documents for PAL
- Valid passport
- Letter of Acceptance
- Proof of Financial Support like GIC
- Medical Examination Results.
- Proof of Health insurance
That's all about PAL Canada for Indian students. We have mentioned some queries and answers below to help you on related topics. If you have any queries related to this topic, we will be happy to answer them. You can drop your question in the comment section below or connect with Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.
There is not a specific answer to that. Each province might have its own regulations regarding PAL validity. Unless your PAL has an expiry date on it, it's valid until one academic year. It's essential to ensure your PAL is valid at the time your study permit application is received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
According to the official information, most international students applying for a study permit in Canada are required to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) with their application. This requirement applies to all Canadian provinces and territories, including Quebec.
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The full form of PAL is the Provincial Attestation Letter. It is an important document that shows you get admission to a Canadian university to study a UG, PG, Diploma or PG Diploma course. Students can get PAL only after paying the tuition fee for the course.