Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

• For the 2026 study permit cap year, unless a PAL has an expiry date listed, it will be valid until December 31, 2026.  As of January 1, 2026, if you have a PAL that was issued for the 2025 study permit cap year, it can no longer be used in an application.
• If your study permit application was not accepted for processing (IRCC withdrew the application and your application fees were refunded), then you can submit a new study permit with the same PAL (if it is still valid).
• If your study permit application was accepted for processing but was later refused, then you must get a new PAL before reapplying.

IRCC states that you are exempt from the PAL requirement if any of the following situations apply to you:

• You are a master's or doctoral (PhD) student applying for a study permit on or after January 1, 2026.
• You are an exchange student studying under an exchange agreement between your home institution and a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, and you do not pay tuition fees to the DLI. 
• You have received a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada.
• You are exempt from certain study permit requirements under the temporary measures to reunite families of Indigenous people separated by Canada's border.
• You have entered Canada and one of the following situations apply to you:
  • You are an undergraduate student applying for a study permit extension at the same DLI as your current study permit.
  • You are a master's or doctoral (PhD) student applying for a study permit extension on or after January 1, 2026.
  • You are applying for a study permit extension at the same DLI and level of study as your current study permit.
  • You are under a removal order, but can’t be removed from Canada at this time. 
  • You have a temporary resident permit valid for at least 6 months. 
  • You are a protected person.
  • You are eligible for permanent residence
    • Based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, or
    • Based on a current public policy, or
    • As a spouse or common-law partner (through the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class)

If you meet one of the exceptions and do not require a PAL, you will need to provide proof with your study permit application.  The university will not provide a letter indicating that you meet a PAL exception.  Please connect with the Immigration Consultants on how you can provide proof of your PAL exception.

You do not need to apply for a PAL and can apply directly for your study permit.

Review the study permit details on the University of Waterloo’s International Experience Centre website.

1. Pay your tuition deposit, if required
   • For more information, please refer to the following pages:
     • Undergraduate
     • Graduate (only applicable to graduate diploma programs)
   • Please note: returning students (students continuing studies in the same Waterloo program but applying for a study permit from outside of Canada) do not have to pay a deposit.
   • After reviewing the information above, if a tuition deposit is required, learn how to pay it here.
   • We highly recommend paying the tuition deposit using our approved international payment options via credit card as that is processed the most quickly and may appear in your Quest account sooner.
2. Directly in Quest, submit your request for a PAL by clicking the “Submit” button at the bottom of the questionnaire.
3. The University of Waterloo will request, on your behalf, a PAL from the Ontario government.
4. Upon receipt of the PAL, the University will upload it to your Quest account.  Please check back within 2 to 4 business days (this process may take longer if a tuition deposit is required).
5. Download your PAL from Quest, using the PAL download menu item (located on the left navigation menu).
6. Apply for your study permit.  Review the study permit details on the University of Waterloo’s International Experience Centre website.