Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
The Government of Canada mandates the inclusion of a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in the application process for international students seeking to study in Canada.
This document serves as evidence that the student has been allocated a spot within a province's quota for study permits under the national cap.
You will need to submit your PAL with your application for a study permit.
You will need a PAL if:
- you are an international student attending an undergraduate degree program, a diploma program or a certificate program
- your situation is not described in the IRCC's PAL exception list.
To prevent delays with the application and obtaining a PAL, please follow these steps:
- Create an application on the Virtual Application System (VAS) with accurate applicant’s information:
- Applicant’s name: must match the student’s passport.
- Date of birth: must match the passport.
- Email: Insert the student’s personal email address.
- Mailing address: Provide the student’s current mailing address; avoid using an agency’s address to prevent delays.
- Important considerations:
- Single name applicants: If the applicant has only one name (either first or last name) it will appear under the last name field on the PAL.
- Mailing address: Input the applicant’s mailing address. Using a third party address (such as an agency’s) for the mailing address will delay the generation of PALs.
- PAL request form and application status: Wait until the application status has been updated to “Conditional Confirmed or Unconditional
Confirmed” in VAS. Submitting a request with an unconfirmed status will result in a declined request and significant delays.
- Multiple programs: If the applicant is confirmed in two programs, only the second program name will appear on the PAL, but the duration will cover the length of both programs.For example, if the applicant is confirmed for the bundle Data Analytics Post-Diploma Certificate and Management and Leadership Certificate programs, the PAL will only show Management and Leadership Certificate but the program length will be for a duration of two years (covering both academic years).
- Updates and corrections:
- The PAL team does not update or correct applicant addresses, program names, or dates in the PAL. The current PAL issued should be used for the study permit application.
- One PAL per province: Each applicant will receive only one PAL per province. If a PAL has been issued by another post-secondary institution in Alberta, no second PAL will be issued.
- PAL expiry: Please submit your study permit application prior to the expiration date on your PAL. A second PAL will not be issued.
What do these changes mean for you?
Students with existing study permits
You will not be impacted by the changes announced by IRCC on Jan. 22, 2024.
If you are applying for the winter 2025
All applications will be reviewed, and selected based on program admission requirements and proof of English language proficiency. We strongly recommend uploading all supporting documents and carefully answering all application questions for the best outcomes.
After receiving an offer letter, please pay your tuition deposit. Once your seat is confirmed, you will receive a PAL request form by email. Please fill out the request form.
You will need to include both your letter of attestation and letter of acceptance with your study permit application. Processing time from deposit payment to receiving your letter of attestation is anticipated to be approximately 3 business days.
❗️Once you have received your PAL, it is essential to submit it alongside your study permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Updates to permits and vias
Applying for your study permit with SAIT and BorderPass
SAIT has partnered with BorderPass to offer all direct international applicants access to its premium Canadian immigration services. BorderPass offers access to trusted immigration lawyers and legal services via a digital platform.
New applicants who have been accepted and received a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) can use this service to apply for their study permit.
This service is exclusive to applicants who aren’t working with an agent.
PGWP update
As of Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, to apply for a post graduate work permit, you will be required to take a recognized immigration language test to align with changes to the PGWP program accounced by the, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
You must achieve a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 on a recognized immigration language test and you will be required to submit the test results as part your application. Test results are valid for two years.
If you have submitted a PGWP application prior to Nov. 1, 2024, you will not be required to take a language test.
As a current student with a valid study permit, you will not be impacted by the field of study requirement and will remain eligible for the PGWP — regardless of what program you are currently enrolled in.
Find more details about the changes to the PGWP-eligibility requirements.
Open work permits
At this time, the spousal open work permit is no longer available for spouses of study permit holders.
Open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. The spouses of international students at SAIT studying toward a certificate, professional certificate, diploma, or degree will not be eligible for open work permits.
However, if you already hold a study permit and your spouse has an existing open work permit, you will not be impacted by the changes announced by IRCC on January 22, 2024. Your spouse should be able to apply for an open work permit extension.
IRCC has yet to clarify if they will limit spousal open work permits for current PGWP holders.
In place of the open work permit, your spouse may be eligible for a study permit, visitor visa or working holiday visa. Other family members will require a visitor visa to accompany you to Canada.
We recommend you consult with an immigration lawyer or someone who has IRCC designation to understand your family's options.
Support
Support is available through the International Centre if you have additional questions and concerns related to these IRCC changes.
If you are a professional certificate student, contact Continuing Education and Professional Studies.
Academic help is also available through the Lamb Learner Success Centre, and mental health support is available through Student Development and Counselling.
Contact us
International Centre
AA206, Heritage Hall, SAIT Main Campus
-
Phone - 1.403.284.8852
-
Email - international@sait.ca
-
Monday - Friday | 8 am - 4:30 pm
International
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.