STUDY PERMITS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – PROVINCIAL ATTESTATION LETTERS

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As of January 22, 2024, most international students must include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory with their study permit application. In most cases, applications submitted without a PAL will be returned with fees.

Question – Who does not need provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the Province or Territory where international student plans to study?

Answer: You do not need a PAL when applying for a study permit if you

• are applying to study in a preschool, primary school or secondary school (up to grade 12)
• are applying to study in a master’s degree or doctoral degree program or
• have entered Canada and one of the following situations applies to you:

  • You’re applying for a study permit extension.
  • You have a work permit.
  • You’re a temporary resident who is a visiting or exchange student studying at a designated learning institution (DLI).
  • You’re a temporary resident who has completed a course or program of study that is a prerequisite to you enrolling at a DLI.
  • You’re under a removal order but can’t be removed from Canada at this time.
  • You have a temporary resident permit valid for at least 6 months.
  • You’re the family member of a foreign national who lives in Canada and is one of the following:
    • a study permit holder
    • a work permit holder
    • a temporary resident permit holder with a permit that’s valid for at least 6 months
    • a member of armed forces in another country under the Visiting Forces Act
    • an accredited foreign government representative
    • a participant in certain sports activities or events
    • a worker in Canada who is a member of a foreign news company
    • a religious worker

At NPZ Law Group, our U.S. and Canadian lawyers seek to assist clients with regard to employment and family immigration issues. If you or your friends or family should have any questions about any aspect of U.S. and Canadian Immigration Law, please feel free to contact us at info@visaserve.com or you can call our office at 201-670-0006 (ext. 104). We look forward to being able to assist you.