Visas
Provincial Attestation Letter
Also called PAL, TAL
What is a provincial attestation letter?
A Provincial Attestation Letter is a document from the Canadian province or territory where you will study, confirming you are counted within its allocation under the national study permit cap. Most new study permit applications will not be processed without one, and it is the province, not the university, that issues it: usually via the institution once you accept an offer and pay a deposit.
Reviewed
Who needs a provincial attestation letter?
Most applicants for a new Canadian study permit. A small set of applicants is exempt, including some in-Canada extensions and certain graduate categories, and the exempt list has changed more than once.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the university issues it automatically without a deposit
- Booking flights before the PAL has actually arrived
- Reading an older blog post: the rules here have changed repeatedly since 2024