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Do I still need a PAL if I'm starting a master's at a public university in Fall 2026?
sanju_devstudent
I got my offer for a master's program at a public university starting September 2026. I keep seeing mixed answers about whether master's students still need a Provincial Attestation Letter this year.
💬 2 answers
As of January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students at a public DLI are PAL/TAL-exempt — that's a genuine change from the earlier PAL rules. Every other applicant still generally needs one issued sometime in 2026. Double-check with your school's international office that they've coded your letter of acceptance correctly, since a school-side mistake can still cause a hiccup. Guide: /guides/study/pal. General information from my own experience, not legal advice — for anything specific to your file, a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer can look at your actual documents.