last updated December 11, 2024
High school students who have received an offer from Waterloo
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.
Once you receive an offer of admission, 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.
Other students
Transfer students
Transfer students applying to Waterloo will need a PAL and a new student permit.
Master’s and PhD students
Review the requirements 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.
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 permit application if it doesn’t have a PAL. This will delay the processing of your application and potentially delay your arrival in time for the start of classes.
4. Were you admitted to a co-op program?
If you received an offer of admission to a co-op program, apply for a co-op work permit in your study permit application using your Letter of Acceptance from Waterloo. Highlight all components of the Letter of Acceptance that pertain to your co-op program.
You need a co-op work permit for all co-op work terms or degree-required internships. You must have your co-op work permit before starting your first co-op term, which can be as early as January of your first year for some Engineering programs.
Financial requirements
Visit the Government of Canada website for details about the financial requirements for study permit applicants, including updated cost-of-living requirements.
Tip: Apply for a PAL and study permit as soon as possible
You must have a valid study permit before you can start classes. The application process can take several months so you should apply as early as possible.
If you delay applying for a PAL and study permit and don't receive your permit by September, you may have to delay your studies by up to a year.
Frequently asked questions
Study permits
Provincial attestation letters (PALs)
Transfer students and current Waterloo students
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.