Understanding Provincial Attestation Letters: Updates on Canada Study Permit by IRCC 2024
2025-01-13 2025-01-13 9:06Understanding Provincial Attestation Letters: Updates on Canada Study Permit by IRCC 2024
Understanding Provincial Attestation Letters: Updates on Canada Study Permit by IRCC 2024
Starting from January 22nd, 2024, the majority of international students seeking a Canadian study permit are now mandated to obtain a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory in which they plan to pursue their studies.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced this recent regulation to oversee provincial student enrollment capacities.
Today, Create Career College will explore the intricacies of provincial attestation letters (PALs), addressing who requires them and who doesn’t, along with an in-depth explanation of what they entail. We’ll also discuss the latest updates from IRCC concerning study permits in Canada.
*On 27 June 2024, IRCC updated the PAL policy, revising the exemption criteria. More details can be found here.
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Exploring Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs): An Overview
A provincial attestation letter (PAL) is a documentation offered by individual provinces or territories across Canada to facilitate the issuance of study permits for international students.
On February 5, 2024, IRCC made a recent announcement stating that the majority of international students now require this attestation letter for their study permit applications.
Failure to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) may result in the return of their application along with associated fees in most instances.
Is Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) Required for You?
According to IRCC, the requirement for a provincial attestation letter (PAL) applies to most study permit applications submitted after 8:30 AM ET on January 22nd, 2024.
To clarify, a provincial attestation letter (PAL) will be required, with some exceptions that we will address in the following chapter.
Who needs a provincial attestation letter?
- most post-secondary study permit applicants
- most non-degree granting graduate programs (for example, certificate programs and graduate diplomas)
- anyone else not included in the exception list below
Source: IRCC
Reference: Who needs a study permit?
When a study permit is required
Foreign nationals are required to obtain a study permit for engaging in academic, professional, vocational or other education or training that is more than 6 months in duration at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
Source: IRCC

Who is Exempt from Needing Attestation Letters (PALs)?
As noted in the preceding chapter, certain exceptions exist where a provincial attestation letter (PAL) is not required for applying for study permits in Canada.
Who doesn’t need a provincial attestation letter?
- primary and secondary school students
- master’s or doctoral degree students
- in-Canada visiting or exchange students studying at a designated learning institution Corrected on February 27, 2024
- in-Canada study permit and work permit holders (includes study permit holders applying for an extension)
- in-Canada family members of study permit or work permit holders
- students whose application we received before 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024
Source: IRCC
Acquiring a PAL: IRCC updates
Now that you have a grasp of the provincial attestation letter (PAL) concept, the next question arises: How can one obtain a provincial attestation letter (PAL)?
Currently, the procedure for issuing Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) remains undisclosed at present but is anticipated to be established by March 31, 2024.
Create Career College will continue to monitor and provide the most recent updates from IRCC as soon as they are available. For inquiries regarding study permit updates, please visit our Contact Us page.

What Comes After? : Updates on Canada Study Permit
Canada continues to be an inviting destination for talented individuals pursuing top-notch education and rich experiences. Now more than ever, a strategic approach is essential. If you’re thinking about studying in Canada, initiating the application process promptly is vital.
We highly advise arranging a consultation with our enrollment department to explore your opportunities and craft a tailored strategy for realizing your Canadian study goals.
Frequently Asked Questions: Canada Study permits
Is a provincial attestation letter required for my study permit extension?
Current study permit holders or those seeking study permit extensions are not required to obtain a provincial attestation letter.
If you submitted a study permit application before January 22, 2024, there is no requirement to include a provincial attestation letter with your application.
This mandate solely applies to new study permit applications submitted after that date, with the exception of graduate students’ applications.
If I intend to enroll in an ESL class, would I still need to apply for a study permit?
If the duration of an ESL class is within six months, there is no obligation to apply for a study permit. Therefore, you can enter Canada with visitor status or your existing work permit and attend an ESL class for a period of less than six months.
Are you interested in joining CCC’s ESL class?
If you want to know more about our ESL class, visit here: ESL program
What is the current procedure for applying to the co-op program at CCC?
The CCC admission department is committed to a first-come, first-serve approach, ensuring every student has the equal opportunity to access high-quality education in Canada.
For further information on CCC’s co-op programs, visit here:
Diploma and Certificate Programs

Embarking on a New Chapter in Canada International Education with CCC
With IRCC’s recent announcement regarding updates to study permit policies, international students must adapt to these changes and navigate their educational journey accordingly.
At Create Career College, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting our prospective students in achieving their dreams of studying in Canada.
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