What is Attestation Letter?
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is a new requirement for Study Permit starting January 22, 2024. Most students need to obtain a PAL for their Study Permit application from a Canadian province or territory. This document shows that the student falls under a provincial or territorial allocation within the yearly national cap on international students. Each province and territory will receive different allocation based on their population.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has indicated that they will return and will not consider any application without a PAL, unless the applicant is exempt.
Who needs an Attestation Letter?
According to IRCC, besides some exceptions, most international students need an Attestation Letter. The requirement from IRCC are:
PAL is a requirement for:
- Most post-secondary study permit applicants
- Most non-degree granting graduate programs (for example, certificate programs and graduate diplomas)
Students who do not need PAL:
- Primary and secondary school students
- Master’s or doctoral degree students
- In-Canada visiting or exchange students studying at a DLI
- In-Canada study permit and work permit holders (including existing study permit holders applying for an extension)
- In-Canada family members of study permit or work permit holders
- Students who have already been approved for a study permit and intend to travel to Canada for an upcoming program
- Students whose application IRCC received before 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024
How to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter?
IRCC requires all Canadian provinces and territories to establish a process for issuing PALs to international students by March 31, 2024.
British Columbia and Alberta were the first two provinces to implement their processes. Other provinces and territories are expected to follow shortly and announce their processes by the March 31 deadline. Yes Study will update as soon as the provinces’ processes are known.
Conclusion:
Due to the strict requirement from IRCC, an Attestation Letter is crucial to help you obtain a Study Permit and start your academic journey in Canada. Moreover, understanding the process and complying with regulations are essential for your smooth navigation of educational experience.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Yes Study for free consultation. We are here to support you!