Dear future neighbour,
As of March 4, 2024, British Columbia has initiated the issuance of Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL). PAL is a verificaton letter provided to institutions by the provincial government, which then distribute it to international applicants.
International students wishing to study in the province are required to include PAL, received from the British Columbia government, along with their study permit application. This serves as evidence of their acceptance into a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) within the province.
Following the announcement of the cap for intake of international students in 2024 by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), British Columbia has been allocated a total of 83,000 undergraduate study permit applications by IRCC. The province highlights that, according to past acceptance rates, the federal government anticipates approximately 50,000 approved study permit applications for 2024 as a result. The province stated that letters will be distributed 53% for public institutions and 47% for private institutions.
This requirement by IRCC does not affect primary and secondary students, master’s and doctoral degree students, students already in Canada with a valid study permit or Canada work permit holders and their in-Canada family members, also students already in Canada applying for an extension as well as students whose application was received before 8:30am EST on January 22, 2024 before the announcement on cap for study permit applications was made by IRCC.
British Columbia is leading the way as the first province to initiate the issuance of attestation letters as the deadline provided by IRCC is March 31, 2024.
Need professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com