Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

Last updated: June 2025

According to Canada's federal immigration regulations, most international students are required to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) with their study permit application (some exceptions apply).

As of January 22, 2025, the Study Permit applicant categories that require a PAL are listed below:

Outside Canada applicants

• Undergraduate students (Bachelor’s and After-degree programs)
• Graduate students (Master’s and PhD)
• English as a Second Language (ESL) /French as a Second Language (FSL)students
• Students admitted to a Diploma or Certificate program (for example, most Campus Saint-Jean programs and any other Undergraduate or Graduate Diploma or Certificate programs offered at the University of Alberta).
• Short-term visiting students who pay tuition and other fees to the University of Alberta.

Detailed information can be found here.

• Canadian High school students who are transitioning to Post-secondary studies and applying for study permit extension
• Current students in Canada who are applying to restore their status (applying for a Study Permit restoration after the expiration date on their study permit)
• Current ESL students accepted to an Undergraduate or Graduate program
• Transfer students who are changing their Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

Who does not require a PAL?

IRCC lists the categories of applicants who do NOT need a PAL at the time of their study permit application here. This list includes:

• Current international students applying for a study permit extension at the same Designated Learning Institution (DLI) AND the same level of study as noted on their study permit
• Exchange students who do not pay tuition fees to the Canadian DLI due to an exchange agreement between their home institution and the DLI in Canada.

When will I receive my PAL?

After you accept your offer, your PAL will be issued upon request and usually within 10 business days. You will receive an email notification at the email address you provided during your admission application with instructions on how to download your PAL.

• You received your original offer before January 22, 2025, or 
• You deferred your admission and received an updated offer

• Submit an email to Admissions@newman.edu with the subject “Student PAL Request”.
• Your PAL will usually be issued within 10 business days of submitting your request.
• You will receive an email when your PAL is available for download.

Accessing Your PAL

• Your PAL will be sent via your CrossRoad Online Services account.
• Check your inbox and Spam/Junk folder just in case.

PAL Details

• PAL Document Number: Located in the top-right corner of your letter, and begins with #AB
• Missing Middle Name: Only your first and last name is entered on the PAL; it is ok if your middle name is missing. Your first name, last name, and date of birth must match your passport. If these are incorrect, request an update via email to Admissions@newman.edu with the subject “PAL amendment” and include a clear description of the issue and a copy of your passport.
• Your address on the PAL may differ from what’s listed on your admission letter or study permit application. This does not affect your study permit application. You do not need a new PAL if you have changed addresses.

English Language Proficiency

See Admission Criteria