Provincial and territorial attestation letters

Overview

Provincial and territorial attestation letters

A PAL or TAL confirms that a study-permit applicant has a place within a province or territory’s allocation. Most applicants obtain it through their school before submitting to IRCC, but federal exemptions apply to defined groups.

Ask the school how its province issues letters

The process differs across Canada. Some schools request the document after a tuition deposit; others use a provincial portal or require additional information first.

A letter of acceptance is not a PAL or TAL. Include both when both are required.

Use the rules in force for your application

The exemption list and treatment of graduate programs have changed since attestation letters were introduced. Check IRCC’s current page on the day of submission.

Do not rely on an exemption that applied to an earlier intake or a different family member.

Confirm the letter matches the application

Names, school, province and validity dates should correspond with the acceptance letter and forms. If the program or province changes, ask whether a new attestation is necessary.

Submitting a placeholder or an expired letter can lead to a returned or refused application.

Quebec uses its own supporting document

For most Quebec studies, the CAQ functions as the provincial attestation document as well as part of Quebec’s student authorization process.

The federal study permit remains a separate application with separate financial and admissibility requirements.