last updated December 5, 2024
High school and transfer students
If you're an international student and you receive an offer of admission from Waterloo, a provincial attestation letter (PAL) is required in order to begin the study permit application process.
First, you must take a quiz to determine whether you need a provincial attestation letter (PAL). You cannot start the study permit process without taking the quiz because it's the first step in requesting a PAL.
Feel free to contact us if you have questions after reading the information below.
Master’s and PhD students
Review the new requirements for international graduate student study permits on the future graduate students website.
Student permit process
1. See if you need to request a provincial attestation letter (PAL).
To confirm that you’ll be studying at a college or university, the Government of Canada requires a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province in which you’ll be studying. For Waterloo students, the PAL will be provided by the Government of Ontario.
If you receive an offer of admission from Waterloo, you’ll need to take a quiz to see if you need to request a provincial attestation letter (PAL).
- Other than a few exemptions, most international students applying to undergraduate degrees and English language pathway programs will be required to provide a PAL.
- Exemptions may include students with valid study permits who are extending them from within Canada.
- If you're an international (visa) student outside Canada applying for a study permit, a PAL is required.
- If you're an international (visa) student within Canada, you will ALSO require a PAL. There are a few exceptions.
Take our quiz(after you receive an offer of admission) to see if you need a PAL.
2. Accept your Offer of Admission and pay your deposit
If you're required to request a PAL, you'll need to accept your Offer of Admission from Waterloo and submit a $2,500 tuition deposit before you are able to access your PAL.
- You'll receive your PAL through Waterloo’s Quest website where you access your Offer Letter/Letter of Acceptance.
- The deposit is non-refundable except in exceptional circumstances.
3. Apply for your study permit
Once you receive your PAL, you can then use it to submit your study permit application. Please do not submit your study permit application without the required PAL if your application requires it.
The Canadian government will return your student visa application if it doesn’t have a PAL. This will delay your visa processing and potentially your arrival in time for the start of classes.
View our collection of videos explaining the support available to you as you apply for your study permit (and work permit if you’ve been admitted to a co-op program).
Financial requirements
The Government of Canada has updated the financial requirements for study permit applicants. The new amounts reflect updated cost-of-living requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Study permits
Provincial attestation letters (PALs)
Visa cap
Tuition fees
Other
We're here to help
If you're a high school or transfer student and have questions, please email our immigration consulting team at immigration.sso@uwaterloo.ca.