Who needs a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) and who is exempt
Most post-secondary study permit applicants must submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) at the time they apply; if a PAL is required and missing, IRCC returns the application and refunds the fee. The following applicants are exempt from the PAL requirement:
- Master's and doctoral students at public DLIs (from 2026-01-01): students admitted to a master's or doctoral degree program at a public designated learning institution do not need a PAL.
- Primary and secondary school students (K-12): students attending preschool, primary school, or secondary school (up to grade 12).
- Extensions at the same DLI and level of study: students inside Canada applying to extend their study permit at the same DLI and at the same level of study as their current permit.
- Visiting or exchange students: visiting or exchange students who do not pay tuition fees to the Canadian host DLI.
Source: IRCC: Provincial or territorial attestation letter; IRCC: 2026 allocations under the international student cap, checked 2026-10-19.
How to obtain a PAL through a B.C. designated learning institution
In British Columbia, applicants do not apply directly to the provincial government for a PAL. Instead, the designated learning institution (DLI) requests the PAL on the student's behalf:
- Accept admission and pay the tuition deposit: once you receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a B.C. DLI, confirm your seat and pay the required tuition deposit.
- School requests the PAL from B.C.: the DLI submits your details to the Province of B.C. under the institution's annual PAL allocation.
- Submit the PAL with your study permit application: the school sends the issued PAL to you, and you upload it with your LOA, proof of funds, and the C$150 study permit fee (plus C$85 if biometrics are required).
If you change institutions or move to a new level of study (such as moving from high school to undergraduate study), you need a new PAL unless you are entering a master's or doctoral program at a public DLI.
Source: IRCC: How to get a provincial attestation letter, checked 2026-10-19.
Checking Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility before you apply
Before committing to a program, check three PGWP rules that apply after graduation:
- PGWP-eligible DLI: verify on IRCC's DLI list that your campus and program are PGWP-eligible; curriculum licensing programs delivered by private colleges on behalf of public colleges are generally not eligible.
- Field of study (CIP code) for non-degree programs: bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree graduates have no field-of-study restriction, while diploma, certificate, and post-graduate certificate graduates must complete a program whose CIP code is on IRCC's eligible list across 6 priority sectors (agriculture and agri-food, education, healthcare and social services, STEM, trade, and transport).
- Language test at graduation: PGWP applicants must submit language results under 2 years old showing CLB 7 (or NCLC 7) in all four skills for university programs, or CLB 5 for college and other non-university programs.
See the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) guide and our study permit service page for full details.
Source: IRCC: PGWP eligibility; IRCC: PGWP field of study requirement, checked 2026-10-19.