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 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.
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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.
PAL Canada FAQs
Q. What is a Provincial attestation letter (PAL)?
A. 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 course. Students who will pay the tuition fees after accepting the offer letter can get PAL.
Q. Which provinces to start soon?
A. Except for Quebec, you need to have a Provincial Attestation Letter to study in any Canadian province. Quebec has its own separate system for international students. Instead of a PAL, students planning to study in Quebec might require a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
Q. What is the validity period of an issued PAL?
A. 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.
Q: Â Is Cambrian College in Canada a good option for international students?
Cambrian College in Canada is largely recognised as a prestigious institution, making it an attractive option for overseas students. The college provides a wide choice of programmes, and its accreditation guarantees respect to academic standards. Prospective students should carefully assess Cambrian College's suitability in terms of individual programme offers, campus facilities, location, and foreign student support services. The total cost of education, including tuition and living expenses, should also be considered, as well as any available financial help or scholarships. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, check Cambrian College's official website, contact international student services, and speak with current or former international students for firsthand experiences.
Q: Â What is the acceptance rate for a PhD at the University of Guelph, Canada?
The Guelph University acceptance rate is around 66%, which means admissions are slightly competitive for international students. Apart from this, students have to meet the general University of Guelph requirements for admission in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Q: Â What is the CGPA requirement for Prince Edward Island?
International students must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements to study at Prince Edward Island. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 1.7 in the major subject requirements for Prince Edward Island University admission.
Read about the Canada Grading System
Q: Â What IELTS score is required at Prince Edward Island University?
International students must meet the Prince Edward Island University IELTS requirements to get admission to UG and PG programs. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit the IELTS score to meet the English language requirements. Mentioned below are the minimum IELTS score required for undergraduate and graduate admissions:
English Language Exam | Arts, Science, Business, Engineering and Bachelor of Education | Nursing, Radiography, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine & Education |
|---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | Overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6 | Overall score of 7 with 7 in writing and speaking; 6.5 in reading and listening |
English Language Exam | Regular Offer (All Programs Except Those Noted In Next Column) | Regular Offer (Nursing, Education, Doctor Of Philosophy, Doctor Of Applied Health) |
|---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 7 in writing and no band lower than 6.5 | 7 in writing and speaking; 6.5 in reading and listening |
Q: Â What is the processing time for the application process at Northern College, Canada?
Northern College can take up to 6 weeks to provide an offer letter to international students. Since thousands of applications are enrolled at the college for programs under different specializations, the college reviews each application and segregates them. The whole process is quite time-consuming. The segregation of applications is done based on the student’s academic performance, English language scores, extracurricular activities, and relevant experiences.
Q: Â Is the University of British Columbia a public or private university?
The University of British Columbia is a public research university located in British Columbia, Canada. The University was established in 1908 and is recognized as a global center for learning and research, teaching, and securing a position among the top public universities in the world. UBC ranking among the World University Rankings for 2025 is #41 according to the top-ranking publishers. The Shiksha grading system has also given an overall university grade of A++ to the university.
Q: Â Is Manitoba a good place for international students?
Yes it is, University of Manitoba welcomes international students from all over the world to study at their campus. The University has a diverse community of international students from over 120 countries. University of Manitoba offers various UG and PG programs that have been redesigned to cater to the academic needs of international students. However, the university allows International students get admission based on merit no entrance exam required. Lastly, the University of Manitoba is an inclusive and welcoming institution and provides a safe environment for international students regardless of their nationality, colour and background.
Q: Â What are the recruiters of Northern Lights College Canada?
NLC Canada alumni work at the following organizations and / or workplaces:
- Northern Health – BC
- Subway
- Walmart
- Canadian Natural Resources Limited
- Axis Family Resources Ltd.
- The Wendy’s Company
- AltaGas Ltd
- McDonald’s
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