Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec and New Brunswick have established a system of attestation letters
More and more provinces are willing to issue attestation letters for student visas to Canada.
On January 22, 2024, the Government of Canada launched new restrictions and rules for applying to study at its universities and colleges. One of the innovations was the mandatory submission of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to obtain a student visa.
Earlier, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) notified that the process of launching the provincial attestation letter system will take some time, but the deadline is March 31, 2024. Since each province is developing its system individually, some provinces have been able to get the process up and running ahead of the deadline.
British Columbia was the very first province to officially announce a fully operational attestation letter system. This was followed by confirmed reports from other provinces.
Information on provincial attestation letters from Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Quebec is currently available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website. The source indicates that these provinces are ready to issue attestation letters and recommends contacting their chosen institutions for detailed information.
In order to receive an attestation letter, applicants must first apply for admission to one of the institutions that is authorized to accept international students (DLI — Designated Learning Institution).
Attestation Letters in Alberta
The websites of some Alberta institutions indicate that applicants will be required to pay a deposit in advance for their programs. Once the applicant has received an approved offer of university study and paid the deposit, institutions can request a letter of certification from the provincial government and send it to the student.
Attestation Letters in Manitoba
International students intending to study in Manitoba may also be required to pay a tuition deposit. One major university has informed its incoming students that they will be required to pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $2,000 CAD.
Attestation Letters in Quebec
The province of Quebec had previously established a special system for applying for a student visa that required the Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ). It would continue to be valid in the province and would serve as a provincial letter of attestation. However, due to changes in Canada's enrollment rules, this document has also undergone modifications, and an updated version of the CAQ is now in effect. According to the McGill University website, the new version of the certificate will include a line stating that this letter of attestation confirms the student's place in the Quebec provincial study permit allocation quota.
Attestation Letters in New Brunswick
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While there has been no official word on the release of certification letters in the province of New Brunswick, institutions are already beginning to inform candidates about the new system. According to instructions from one of the province's universities, students will need to fill out an online form, pay an upfront tuition fee of $8,000 CAD, and wait for a decision from the university.
How to apply for a study visa
It is worth noting that not all students are required to obtain letters of attestation. For example, master's and doctoral students are exempt from receiving this document, as well as those who had time to apply before January 22, 2024.
You should carefully consider applying to colleges and universities in Canada in accordance with the new rules. Our immigration consultants closely monitor all updates and are always aware of current changes.
Our experts will advise you on choosing an institution and programs, obtaining a student visa, and help you gather and submit the necessary documents to obtain a study permit. Make an appointment for a consultation to start your journey to Canada.
