A Guide to Provincial Attestation Letter in Canada

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In 2024, the Canadian government implemented a significant change to its international student program by establishing an intake cap on the number of international students allowed to study in Canada. This is part of a broader policy shift designed to ensure fair distribution of study permits across provinces. 

For international students, this means that you’ll also likely need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) before you can obtain your study permit, especially if you’re pursuing an undergraduate or college program in Canada. This new requirement has left many future students wondering “How do I get an attestation letter for Canada?” and “Will this affect my study plans?” 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting your attestation letter in Canada—from who needs it to how to obtain one in your target province. Let’s keep your Canadian study dreams on track!

What Is a Provincial Attestation Letter?

A provincial attestation letter (PAL) is an official document used as a verification tool for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Each province or territory has its own quota for how many international students it can accept. The PAL letter confirms that the international student has secured a spot within the province or territory’s share of study permit approvals or is exempt from the cap. 

→Learn more: Study Permits in Canada

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Who Needs an Attestation Letter in Canada?

Most study permit applicants need to provide provincial attestation letters alongside other study permit requirements, especially if you’re:

  • Enrolled in prerequisite or language programs that last more than six months
  • A post-secondary study permit applicant (such as an undergraduate university or college student)
  • Enrolled in non-degree granting graduate programs (for example, certificate programs or graduate diplomas)

Note that each applicant must provide their own attestation letter for Canada, even if you’re applying as a family and submitting your study permit applications together. However, there are certain exceptions. Applicants who meet the following criteria are exempt from requiring a PAL letter:

  • Permit holders in Canada applying for study permit extension (exemption to be updated in 2025)
  • Pathway program students in Canada (who have completed a prerequisite course or program needed to enroll at a designated learning institution or DLI)
  • Holders of a work permit applying from within Canada
  • Visiting or exchange students
  • Primary and secondary school students
  • Master’s or doctoral degree students
  • Family members of study or work permit holders currently in Canada
  • Taking a program shorter than six months

How to Get a Provincial Attestation Letter

Obtaining an attestation letter for study permit in Canada may vary slightly depending on the province or territory, but the general steps look like this:

  1. Get accepted to your school (you’ll receive a Letter of Acceptance)
  2. Confirm your spot by paying any required admission deposit or filing a request form
  3. Wait for your school to apply for your letter of attestation from the provincial government
  4. Receive your PAL letter from your school
  5. Use your attestation letter for Canada to apply for your study permit

Here’s how to get your attestation letter from each province or territory.

Ontario

To get the provincial attestation letter in Ontario, your college will file the request from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) on your behalf. Once approved, your school will notify you and provide the letter. If using the International Application Service (IAS) portal, you’ll find your PAL under Supporting Documents → Visa Documents.

British Columbia

Obtaining the provincial attestation letter from British Columbia follows a similar process. You don’t need to apply directly. Your school handles the entire process. British Columbia’s Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills automatically sends provincial attestation letters to institutions once they enter student information into the provincial system. Schools receive letters instantly if they haven’t reached their permit cap. 

Alberta

Post-secondary institutions will handle the entire Alberta provincial attestation letter process. Once you’re accepted, the school will request your attestation letter for Canada from the province. For questions about your letter of attestation, contact your school’s registrar office directly.

Manitoba

To get a provincial attestation letter in Manitoba, prospective international students need to connect with the university, college, or private institution they want to attend. The school will handle the PAL letter request with the Ministry once you’re accepted. The process is managed entirely through your school.

International students speaking to ILAC faculty

Saskatchewan

To get the provincial attestation letter in Saskatchewan, international students must first apply for their choice of designated learning institution. Your school will notify the Ministry of Advanced Education after accepting you as an undergraduate student. 

The provincial government will then issue your attestation letter for Canada through an automated system. Watch for an email from MyCredsTM ([email protected]) with instructions to download your letter of attestation.

Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia provincial attestation letter process kicks off with students applying for their chosen school. Upon acceptance, they’ll give consent for the school to request your PAL. The province creates their attestation letter for their Canada study permit application and sends it to the school, who forwards it to the student.

Quebec Provincial Attestation Letter

The Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) is the equivalent of the Quebec provincial attestation letter. International students looking to study in Quebec must secure a CAQ with the following line specifically: This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Quebec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it. Like any other attestation letter in Canada, the designated learning institution handles the PAL process. 

Provincial Attestation Letter New Brunswick

After acceptance and paying any required tuition deposit, international students may request their designated learning institution to request the provincial attestation letter from New Brunswick. The process takes about two weeks. 

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

To get the PAL letter from Prince Edward Island, your school must confirm your student status with PEI’s Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population. Once validated, the Department provides your provincial attestation letter for PEI to your school, who then sends it to you for your study permit application.

Provincial Attestation Letter Newfoundland and Labrador

Contact your school’s international student office for guidance on obtaining your provincial attestation letter for Newfoundland and Labrador. Your school will handle the PAL process for you.

Build Your Canadian Education Foundation at ILAC

Getting your attestation letter for Canada is just a stepping stone in your Canadian education. The International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC) helps thousands of international students start their education journey in the Great White North. With campuses in Toronto and Vancouver, world-class English programs, and direct pathways to Canadian universities, we’re your first step to success. 

Join students from 75+ countries at Canada’s most-awarded language school! Contact us today to learn more about our programs.

The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and is in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. Note this is not a legal document and the information provided within this article may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information. Visa approval success is contingent on eligibility and direct screening by IRCC.

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