Provincial Attestation Letters
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Current Details about Study Permits and Provincial Attestation Letters
Page last updated November 1, 2024
As ofJanuary22,2024, many international students have required a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to apply for a study permit. Beginning January 2025, more groups of international students will require a PAL, including students in graduate degree-granting programs.
If you require a PAL, the ɫ will work with the Province of Alberta to issue your PAL once you accept your admission offer and pay your admission deposit (where required).
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What is a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
Provinces and territories issue Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to international students. The attestation letter serves as proof that the student has a credible admission and has been accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation within the national cap.
If required, a PAL must be included with your study permit application when you submit your application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Details about PALs can be found .
Who needs a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) now?
, students who fall under the groups listed below do need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL):
- International undergraduate students
- International graduate students in most non-degree granting graduate programs (for example, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and International Professional Programs)
- All visiting/exchange undergraduate and course-based graduatestudents and ESL/FSL students who will be at UCalgary for longer than six months
- Any Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs) on a study permit, regardless of length of stay, please visit the to determine what immigration documents you will need
- Anyone else not included in the “who does not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)”
Who does not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) now?
, students who fall under the groups listed below do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL):
- Master’s or doctoral degree students*
- Visiting/exchange undergraduate and course-based graduatestudents and ESL/FSL short-term programs under six months
- Any Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs) on a work permit, please visit the to determine what immigration documents you will need
- 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
- Primary and secondary school students
Upcoming changes
Details to be confirmed; see the for more information
- Beginning in 2025, master’s or doctoral degree students applying for study permits will require PALs.
- Beginning in 2025, some in-Canada study permit holders applying for study permit extensions will require PALs.
- Beginning in 2025, exchange students who a submit a study permit application will NOT require PALs, regardless of length of exchange.
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With students from more than 140 different countries attending UCalgary every year, you'll find a vibrant, lively and welcoming campus community. Our campus is located in the heart of Calgary, a student-friendly and affordable city. While we think choosing UCalgary is the right choice for international students — don't just take our word for it, hear from Zainab, a computer science student from India.
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International Undergraduate Students
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Frequently Asked Questions
Once you've accepted your offer and paid your deposit, UCalgary will request your PAL from the Province of Alberta. Once your PAL is available (about 10-12 days after your deposit has been received), the university will send an email to your UCalgary email address (if created) to let you know that your PAL is available for you to download in your Student Centre (my.ucalgary.ca). If you have not yet setup your UCalgary email address, the email notification will be sent to the email address you used on your application.
Once we've prepared it for you, you'll be able to access your PAL in your Student Centre (my.ucalgary.ca). You'll also receive an email when it is available for you to download from your Student Centre.
View a how-to guide (PDF) on how to access your Provincial Attestation Letter.
Once you’ve received your PAL, you will submit it along with your study permit application to IRCC. IRCC will return any application that does not include a PAL, unless the applicant is otherwise exempt (exemptions are listed on ).
In-Canada students studying at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada do not need a PAL.
If you're currently in Canada and , you will not need a PAL.
In future, international students requesting a study permit extension to begin their next credential in Canada may require a PAL (details to be confirmed).
Visiting/exchange students studying in Canada less than six months can enter Canada as a visitor. Students do not require a study permit or PAL if they enter Canada on a or an for short-term studies.
- Visiting/exchange students studying in Canada for longer than six months will need a study permit and a PAL.
Beginning in 2025, exchange students who a submit a study permit application will NOT require PALs, regardless of length of exchange.
Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs), please visit the for what immigration documents you will need.
For questions about your offer of admission, paying your admission deposit, or obtaining and accessing your PAL, please contact undergraduate Admissions for assistance.
All study permit applications submitted to IRCC will have their UCalgary letter of acceptance verified within the time frame set by IRCC. After submitting your study permit, no further action is required; UCalgary will automatically verify.
Study Permit Frequently Asked Questions
We encourage you to as soon as possible. Keep in mind that to apply for your study permit, you must have:
- accepted your admission offer
- paid your admission deposit
- and received your PAL from UCalgary
Apply for your study permit by July 1. That will ensure you're eligible for a deferral of admission if your study permit doesn't arrive in time for your admission term.
UCalgary and the Province of Alberta have worked together on this issue. PALs are issued shortly after a student accepts their admission offer and pays their deposit. You should accept your offer and pay your deposit as soon as possible so you can receive your PAL and .
Students who apply for a study permit by July 1 and don't receive it in time are eligible for a deferral. .
You can contact International Student Services for assistance.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, UCalgary has over 250+ program combinations for you to choose from. Experience a premier education at one of Canada's top research universities. We'll help you turn your next big idea into a reality. Access a multitude of resources designed to ignite innovation, including state-of-the-art creative labs, startup launch programs and invaluable mentorship opportunities with local entrepreneurs. Step into the spotlight, shape the future and find your voice in this transformative environment.
Undergraduate applications are open from August 15 to March 1 each year. We recommend you submit your application as soon as possible.
If you receive an admission offer, be sure accept the admission offer and pay your admissions deposit as soon as possible. That will allow us to work with the Province of Alberta to issue a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), which you'll need to submit with your study permit application.
Yes, we recommend that you accept your admission offer and pay your admissions deposit as soon as possible. After accepting your offer, UCalgary will work with the Province of Alberta to issue a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), which you'll need to submit with your study permit application.
Current international students do not need PALs.
In order to work in Canada as an international student, you must be enrolled as a full-time student andhave a valid study permit to beeligible to work. Details can be found on the ISS website.
International Graduate Students
Frequently Asked Questions
A PAL is currently NOT required for: Master’s and doctoral degree students; Short-term course-based visiting/exchange students (under six months); VSRs on work permits.
A PAL is required for: Graduate certificate and diploma students; Longer-term course-based visiting/exchange students (over six months); VSRs on study permits regardless of length of time at UCalgary.
Upcoming changes (details to be confirmed; see the for more information):
Beginning in 2025, master’s and doctoral degree students will require PALs.
- Current international graduate students do not need PALs.
- Graduate students requesting a study permit extension to complete their current credential do not require a PAL.
- In future, international graduate students requesting a study permit extension to begin their next credential in Canada (i.e. Master’s to PhD) may require a PAL (details to be confirmed).
Many programs have Spring – Fall 2025 intake opportunities for international graduate students. If youris accepting applications, we recommend youas soon as possible.
If you receive an admission offer, be sure to accept the offer and pay your admission deposit (where required) as soon as possible. This will allow you to apply for your study permit at the appropriate time.
If you're a certificate/diploma student requiring a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), your timely response will allow us to work with the Province of Alberta to issue your PAL so you can submit it with your study permit application as soon as possible.
At this time, we are advising master’s and doctoral students beginning programs in Winter, Spring and Summer 2025 to proceed with study permit applications without a PAL. We recommend that students beginning programs in Fall 2025wait for further information regarding PAL requirements before applying for study permits.
If you are a full-time graduate student at UCalgary, currently your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit. .
Upcoming changes:
Later this year, IRCC will be restricting open work permits to spouses of master’s degree students enrolled in programs that are at least 16 months long. Details have yet to be confirmed.
To work in Canada as an international graduate student, you must be enrolled as a full-time student and have a valid study permit to be eligible to work. Details can be found on the ISS website.
You may be eligible for a PGWP after graduation; the length of the PGWP can vary.
Students who graduate from master's degree programs of less than two years (eight months minimum) may be eligible for a three-year PGWP.
If you have submitted a study permit application for a certificate or diploma program after November 1, 2024, your program must in the eligible field of study to be eligible for a PGWP. Degree programs remain eligible for a PGWP after degree completion.
Details on how to apply for a PGWP can be found on the .
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Frequently Asked Questions
Once you've accepted your offer of admission and paid your deposit, UCalgary will request your PAL from the province of Alberta. Once your PAL is ready (typically within 10-12 days), the university will send an email to your UCalgary email address (if created) to let you know that your PAL is available for you to download in your Student Centre (my.ucalgary.ca). If you have not yet set up your UCalgary email address, the email notification will be sent to the email address you used on your application.
View ahow-to guide (PDF)on how to access your Provincial Attestation Letter.
Once you’ve received your PAL, you will submit it along with your study permit application to IRCC. IRCC will return any application that does not include a PAL, unless the applicant is otherwise exempt (current exemptions are listed on ).
In-Canada post-secondary students studying at a designated learning institution do not need a PAL. .
If you're currently in Canada and need to make an in-Canada study permit application, you will not need a PAL.
In future, international students requesting a study permit extension to begin their next credential in Canada (i.e. Master’s to PhD) may require a PAL (details to be confirmed).
Graduate students: For questions about your offer of admission or paying your deposit, please contact .
If you are graduate student with questions about your PAL, please contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Study Permit Frequently Asked Questions
Certificate/diploma students: We encourage you to apply for a study permit as soon possible. Keep in mind that to apply for your study permit, you must have:
- Accepted your admission offer
- Paid your admission deposit
- And received your PAL from UCalgary (where required)
Winter/Spring/Summer 2025 master’s and doctoral students: We encourage you to apply for a study permit as soon possible. A PAL is not required at this time. Keep in mind that to apply for your study permit, you must have:
- Accepted your admission offer
- Paid your admission deposit
Fall 2025 master’s and doctoral students: At this time, we are advising master’s and doctoral students beginning programs in Fall 2025 to wait for further information regarding PAL requirements before applying for study permits.
If you are a graduate student, it is strongly recommended to connect with your program to explore admission deferral as programs cannot start until obtaining an approved study permit.
Feel free to contact for assistance.
International Continuing Education Students
Frequently Asked Questions
Students applying for (IPP) or (ELP) that are more than six months long require a PAL.
Upon registration and payment in your program (IPP or ELP), the ɫ will request your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the Province of Alberta. Once your PAL is available, Continuing Education will notify you via the email address we have on file. You will then be able to upload your PAL as part of your study permit application.
No. are considered post-diploma graduate programs at the undergraduate level and do not qualify the spouses of students for the open work permit that has been previously available.
ܰ are ESL/FSL programs, and the spouses of students do not qualify for open work permits.
In future, international students requesting a study permit extension to begin their next credential in Canada may require a PAL (details to be confirmed).
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