Master's and PhD students at public colleges/universities no longer need a PAL
As of January 1, 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) requirement.
Key points
✓As of January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students at a public DLI no longer need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL).
✓Most other study permit applicants still require a PAL/TAL, and those spaces remain capped under the 2026 allocation.
✓IRCC framed the exemption as recognizing graduate students' research and economic contributions.
What this means for you
If you are applying for a master's or doctoral program at a public college/university, you can skip the PAL step entirely — but confirm your specific program and institution type against the official requirements, since the exemption does not extend to most other applicants.
Full detail
Starting January 1, 2026, students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs at a public designated learning institution (DLI) no longer need to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) with their study permit application.
IRCC framed the exemption as recognition of graduate students’ contributions to research and the economy. Most other study permit applicants still require a PAL/TAL, and those spaces remain capped.
If you are unsure whether you need a PAL, confirm against the official study permit requirements for your program and institution type.
General information, not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often — confirm details on the official source above and, for your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.