Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

Some students must include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) with their study permit applications. 

You do not need to provide a PAL if: 

• You are applying to study in a master’s degree or doctoral degree program or 
• You are currently in Canada and applying from within Canada and one of the following situations applies to you: 
  • You’re applying for a study permit extension. 
  • You have a work permit. 
  • You are a visiting or exchange student. 
  • You’re a Refugee Claimant. 
  • 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 
• You're an accredited foreign government representative.

Please see the IRCC website for the full list of exemptions. 

If you do not meet any of the criteria above, then you need a PAL.  

In Quebec the CAQ acts as your PAL if it contains the following statement:

French: “Cette lettre d’attestation confirme que le demandeur dispose d’une place dans la part du Québec de la répartition des demandes de permis d’études ou en est exempté".

English: "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”. 

If you require a PAL and your CAQ does not contain the above statement, please complete the Quebec government webform to request that your CAQ be updated.