Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

Last updated: April 2026

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).

WHO NEEDS A PAL?

Inside Canada applicants

• Canadian High school students who are transitioning to Post-secondary studies and applying for a study permit extension
• Current students in Canada who are applying to restore their status (applying for a Study Permit restoration after the expiration date on their study permit)
• Current ESL students accepted to an Undergraduateprogram
  Transfer students who are changing their Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Work permit holders who have been studying in an undergraduate program under IRCC’s temporary public policy and are now applying for a study permit inside Canada to continue in the same undergraduate program

Who does not require a PAL?

IRCC lists the categories of applicants who do NOT need a PAL at the time of their study permit application here. 

You do not need a PAL if you are one of the following:

• A current international student applying for a study permit extension at the U of A for the same level of study as noted on your study permit
• A current international student studying at the master’s or doctoral level at the U of A
• An exchange student who does not pay tuition fees to the UofA due to an exchange agreement between your home institution and the UofA
• You are admitted to a degree-granting graduate program at the master’s or doctoral level at the UofA

When will I receive my PAL?

Once PAL allocations are available for your admit year, the University will usually issue your PAL within 10 business days after you accept your offer of admission.

Before the PALs for the new academic year become available, you can expect to wait longer than 10 business days. You must NOT submit your study permit application before you receive your PAL.

• Undergraduate Students: You will receive an email at the email address you provided during admission application with instructions on how to download your PAL.
• Non-Degree Graduate Students: You will receive an email at your @ualberta.ca address with instructions for downloading your PAL.

PAL Details

• The PAL Document Number is located in the top-right corner of your letter, and begins with #AB
• Your PAL must have the University of Alberta listed as your DLI to apply for a study permit to attend the U of A
• PAL end dates reflect the maximum time required to complete your program, as listed on your letter of acceptance

When To Use Your EXISTING PAL

You do not need a new or updated PAL when applying for your study permit if:

• The PAL is not signed. PALs are issued without a signature by Alberta Advanced Education
• The address listed is:
  • Incorrect, 
  • Different from your current address, or 
  • Different from the one on your Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
• Your Middle name(s) is missing, but your First and Last names are correct and match your passport
• The email address is incorrect/different from the one used for LOA/IRCC
• The program name on the PAL is different from the LOA, as long as both programs are at the same level and offered by the U of A
• You previously used your PAL in a study permit application that was cancelled or withdrawn (but not refused), and you are applying again
• You’re admitted to an undergraduate program, and your PAL lists a Fall start date, but you plan to start in the following Winter term

When To Get a NEW PAL

You must request a new PAL if: 

• There are errors in any of the following:
  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Your Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Your Alberta Student Number (ASN)
  • Program level (for example, listed as Undergraduate when your program is Graduate)
• Your PAL was used in a study permit application that was refused by IRCC.
• Your PAL has expired before submitting your study permit application.
  
  • After submitting your application, if your PAL expires while your application is in process, do not request a new PAL

Request a PAL using your @ualberta email

Current U OF A Students

You do not need a PAL if

• You are applying for a study permit extension at the U of A and for the same level of study as your current study permit. The following are considered the same level of study.
  • Graduate: master’s and PhD programs
  • Undergraduate: degree, diploma, certificate programs
• You are applying for a study permit extension using admission to a master’s or PhD program at a public institution.
  
• You are applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

If one of the above applies to you, you must indicate you are exempt from the PAL requirement in the study permit application questionnaire and include the PAL exception letter with your application. Access the exception letter template

You need a PAL if

• You are changing institutions in Canada
• You have already used your PAL for a study permit application that was refused by IRCC
• You are changing your level of study, for example, Secondary School to Post Secondary
• You are applying to restore your student status
• You are studying in an undergraduate degree program, and you will be outside Canada when you apply for a study permit

Use your @ualberta.ca email address to Request a PAL

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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