Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

Last updated: January 2025

According to Canada's federal immigration regulations, most international students are required to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) with their study permit application (some exceptions apply).

As of January 22, 2025, the Study Permit applicant categories that require a PAL are listed below:

Outside Canada applicants

  • Undergraduate students (Bachelor’s and After-degree programs)
  • Graduate students (Master’s and PhD)
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)/French as a Second Language (FSL) students
  • Students admitted to a Diploma or Certificate program (for example, most Campus Saint-Jean programs and any other Undergraduate or Graduate Diploma or Certificate programs offered at the University of Alberta).
  • Short-term visiting students who pay tuition and other fees to the institution.

Detailed information can be found here.

Inside Canada applicants

  • Canadian High school students who are transitioning to Post-secondary studies and applying for study permit extension
  • Current undergraduate students accepted to a Graduate program
  • Current Masters students accepted to a PhD program
  • Current ESL students accepted to an Undergraduate or Graduate program
  • Transfer students who are changing their Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

General PAL Information

Who does not require a PAL?

You don’t need a PAL when applying for a study permit if any of the following applies to you.

  • You are applying for a study permit extension at the same designated learning institution (DLI) and the same level of study as your current study permit.
  • You are an exchange student studying under an exchange arrangement between your home institution and a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, and you don’t pay tuition fees to the DLI.
  • You are participating in the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot
    Students applying for a study permit to attend a primary or secondary school.
  • You have received a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada.
  • You are under an unenforceable removal order.
  • You have a temporary resident permit valid for at least six months
  • You are a protected person
  • You are exempt from certain study permit requirements as part of a migration response to a crisis
  • You are exempt from certain study permit requirements that pertain to Indigenous persons and their family members exempted from temporary residence requirements.
Detailed information can be found here.
When would I receive my PAL?

Undergraduate students: Once you've accepted your offer, U of A will request your PAL from the Province of Alberta. The university will notify you that your PAL is available for download via the email address you used on your admission application.

Graduate Students: Once you’ve accepted your offer in the Graduate Studies Management Solution (GSMS) portal, the U of A will request your PAL from the Province of Alberta. The university will send an email to your University of Alberta email address (ending in @ualberta.ca) to let you know that your PAL is available for download.

How can I access my PAL?

Your PAL will be sent via MyCreds account. You will receive an email from MyCreds (noreply@mycreds.ca). Follow the instructions to download your PAL. Be sure to check your inbox regularly and the Spam/Junk folder just in case. For details, please visit the MyCreds page.

Where is my PAL Document Number on the PAL letter?
Your PAL number begins with “PAL #AB” and is located in the top right corner of the letter.
Am I guaranteed a study permit if I receive a PAL?
Receiving a PAL does not guarantee a study permit approval. You are required to meet all the requirements for a study permit.
My middle name is missing on the PAL, is this OK?

The Government of Alberta only enters a student’s first name and last name on the PAL, and it is ok if your middle name is not on your PAL. If your first name, last name, and date of birth (as listed on your passport) are correct, you can submit your PAL with your study permit application.

If your first name, last name, or date of birth is incorrect or does not match your passport, contact the Student Service Centre to request an updated PAL. When submitting an inquiry via the Student Service Portal, enter “PAL amendment” in the subject line and include a clear description of the issue and a copy of your passport.

New Students

Can I apply for my study permit without PAL?
If you do not meet one of the PAL exceptions listed on the IRCC website, you must wait to submit your study permit application until you receive your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the University of Alberta. While you wait, start gathering other documents required for your study permit
I received a PAL from a different institution in Alberta but now I have an Offer of Admission from U of A. Do I need a new PAL?
Yes, you need to submit a PAL that lists the University of Alberta as the DLI if you wish to use the University of Alberta Offer of Admission to apply for your study permit.
I received a PAL for this Fall term; however, I deferred my admission to the next Fall term. Can I use the same PAL to apply for the study permit?
You can use the same PAL to apply for your study permit as long as the PAL is still valid. Review the expiry date listed on your PAL. If your PAL has expired at the time you plan to submit your study permit application, you must contact an International Student Specialist via the Student Service Portal. In the subject line enter “PAL request”, and include a brief description of your situation. Use your University (@ualberta.ca) email address in the contact form.
My study permit application was refused. Can I use the same PAL to reapply?
Yes, you can use the same PAL to re-apply for a study permit as long as the PAL is still valid. Review the expiry date listed on your PAL.
Do I need a valid PAL at the time of entry to Canada?
No, a valid PAL is not required at the time of entry. You will use your PAL to apply for a study permit online. If you apply for your study permit from outside of Canada, you will receive a letter of introduction, which you will show to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer when you enter Canada, not the PAL.
I am eligible to apply for a study permit at the Port of Entry (POE). Do I need a PAL for my study permit application at the POE?

You can apply at the POE only if you are a citizen or permanent resident of the USA, Greenland, or St. Pierre and Miquelon.

If you are not exempt from the PAL requirement, you must present a valid PAL at the time you apply for a study permit at the Port of Entry.

Even if you are eligible to apply for a study permit at the Port of Entry, we recommend students apply for a study permit online and enter Canada after receiving study permit approval to avoid any problems and long delays at the Port of Entry.

Learn more about entering Canada

Does the program name listed on my Offer of Admission and PAL need to match to meet IRCC study permit requirements?
You can submit your study permit application using your PAL with a different program name and the University of Alberta Offer of Admission as long as the PAL was issued for the same level of study (Undergraduate or Graduate) as listed on your Offer of Admission and your PAL is still valid.
I am in a hybrid delivery program of study (partially online and partially in-person). Do I need a PAL?

Hybrid online/in-person diploma and certificate programs require a PAL if the total program duration of the online and in-person components is more than 6 months.

If your program of study is longer than 6 months and has any in-person component, a PAL and study permit are needed.

Current Students

I am a UofA student, currently in Canada, who wants to apply for a study permit extension. Do I need a PAL?

No. The PAL requirement does not apply to study permit extension applications at the same designated learning institution (UofA) and the same level of study as the current study permit.

In this case, you should include a letter to confirm that you are exempt from the PAL requirement with your application. Log in with your @ualberta email address to access the letter.

I am a UofA student, currently in Canada, and I am applying to restore my student status. Do I need a PAL?
Yes, a PAL is required if you are applying to restore your student status in Canada. To request a PAL, you will need to contact an International Student Specialist via the student service portal explaining your situation along with a copy of your most recent study permit. In the subject line enter “PAL request”. Use your University of Alberta (@ualberta.ca) email address in the contact form.
I am transferring to a different educational institution within Canada. Do I need a PAL?
Yes, you need a PAL if you are changing your institution in Canada.
I am changing my level of study within Canada. Do I need a PAL?
Yes, you need a PAL to extend your study permit from inside Canada if you are changing your level of study for example; Secondary School to Post Secondary, Bachelor’s to Master’s or Master’s to PhD.
I am a continuing undergraduate UofA student currently outside of Canada and my study permit has expired. Do I need a PAL to apply for a new study permit?

Yes, a PAL is required when applying for a new study permit outside Canada even if you are a continuing student. To request a PAL, contact an International Student Specialist via the student service portal explaining your situation along with a copy of your most recent study permit.

In the subject line enter “PAL request”. Use your University of Alberta (@ualberta.ca) email address in the contact form.

I am applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Do I need a PAL?
If you have a valid study permit and are applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), you do not need a PAL as part of your TRV application. In the IRCC questionnaire, indicate you are exempt from the PAL requirement. Include the letter to confirm that you are exempt from the PAL requirement.

Visiting and Exchange Students

I am a visiting student attending the University of Alberta. Do I need a PAL?

Yes, visiting students applying for a study permit need a PAL.

Visiting students are admitted to the DLI in Canada to complete coursework for a short period. The credit will be transferred back to the student's home institution for degree completion. This is not an exchange program, as visiting students will be responsible for payment of tuition fees directly to the University of Alberta.

I am an exchange student attending the University of Alberta. Do I need a PAL?

No, exchange students do not need a PAL.

  • If you are attending a study program that is less than 6 months in length, you may apply to enter Canada as a visitor.
  • If you are attending a study program that is longer than 6 months in length, you must apply for a study permit.

Exchange students study under an exchange arrangement between their home institution and a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, and don’t pay tuition fees to the DLI.

This information was accurate at the time of publication. If you have further questions about the PAL process, timelines, or Study Permit application process. Contact us

For the most up-to-date immigration information, visit the IRCC PAL webpage