federal greenReviewed step-by-step guide

Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL)

Determine whether the study-permit application needs a PAL, TAL, Québec CAQ or exemption, then obtain and validate the exact record before federal filing.

Reviewed 2026-07-13Next review: 2026-08-13

Before you start

  • Use only your own government account.
  • Never share government or email credentials.
  • Confirm fees, deadlines and checklists when you act.

CHANGING CONDITIONS

Attestation exemptions, allocation processes and validity rules can change by intake, province, territory and program level.

REVIEWED STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Responsibilities, outputs and checkpoints

  1. 01
    RESPONSIBLEApplicant

    Determine whether an attestation is required

    Use the current IRCC categories to decide whether this study-permit request needs a PAL/TAL, needs a Québec CAQ instead, or falls under a listed exemption.

    Expected output
    A dated PAL/TAL, CAQ or exemption branch record.
    Checkpoint
    The branch is based on current program level, institution, province and applicant category—not a prior intake rule.
  2. 02
    RESPONSIBLESchool

    Confirm the issuing process

    Ask the designated learning institution how its province or territory issues the attestation and what school deposit or admission step must occur first.

    Expected output
    Written school instructions for the current attestation process.
    Checkpoint
    The instructions name the applicant’s institution, intake and issuing authority.
  3. 03
    RESPONSIBLEApplicant

    Provide exact school and identity facts

    Provide only the identity, offer, program and intake details requested by the school or issuing authority and retain the transmission record.

    Expected output
    A dated attestation request or school transmission confirmation.
    Checkpoint
    Names, passport details, DLI, program and intake match the acceptance letter.
  4. 04
    RESPONSIBLESchool

    Receive and validate the attestation

    When the PAL/TAL is issued, compare the applicant, institution, program, province or territory, issue date and validity information with the planned application.

    Expected output
    A validated PAL/TAL retained with the admission file.
    Checkpoint
    Every field is correct and the document remains valid for the planned submission.
  5. 05
    RESPONSIBLEApplicant

    Attach the right record to the study application

    Upload the valid PAL/TAL, Québec CAQ or the exact exemption evidence in the location required by the current study-permit checklist.

    Expected output
    The study-permit package contains the applicable attestation or exemption record.
    Checkpoint
    The uploaded record belongs to the same applicant, institution and intake as the federal application.
  6. 06
    RESPONSIBLEApplicant

    Recheck validity after a material change

    If the institution, program, province, intake or submission timing changes, use the current official rules and school instructions to determine whether a new attestation is needed.

    Expected output
    A dated reuse-or-reissue decision supported by current instructions.
    Checkpoint
    An old PAL/TAL is not reused solely because it was accepted for a different application.

DOCUMENT PREPARATION SUMMARY

What this procedure organizes

  • Prepare the current acceptance letter, DLI/program/intake and passport details, written school or issuing-authority instructions, the issued PAL/TAL or Québec CAQ, exemption evidence where applicable and the study-permit checklist location where it is submitted.

Frequently asked questions

How do I complete this procedure? What documents and steps are needed? How much does it cost and how long does it take?

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