Latest Updates
Get timely updates on immigration, work eligibility, and health insurance for international students.
Disclaimer
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.
Background
Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new requirement for the Study Permit application process on January 22, 2024, requiring an additional document called a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). In BC, the new provincial attestation letter system was effective as of March 4, 2024. Provincial attestation letters are required for new study permit applications for those applying to non-master's/doctoral degree programs at TWU. The provincial attestation letter is a verification letter that will be sent from the Province to the institution, and then from the institution to the international applicants. Applicants will submit the attestation letter along with their study permit application to IRCC.
Effects on TWU international students as of January 22, 2025
IRCC updated the PAL requirement on January 22, 2025. See IRCC’s updated study permit (Provincial and Territorial Attestation Letter) website for more information.
If you are outside of Canada
- New undergraduate students:
- You will need both your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) before applying for your initial study permit.
- New master’s degree and doctoral degree students:
- You will need both your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) before applying for your initial study permit.
- Current TWU students:
- If you cannot return to Canada before your current study permit expires, you will need to apply for a new study permit from outside Canada and wait for your application to be processed before returning to Canada. In this case, you will need a PAL in addition to a current Letter of Enrollment at TWU.
If you are inside Canada
- Current Students: Study Permit Extension (same level of study; same institution):
- If you apply for your study permit extension from inside Canada before your study permit expires, and you are applying to extend your stay as a student at the same institution, and same level of study, you do not require a PAL. Contact TWU Immigration Advisor (RCICs/RISIAs) HERE if you need to learn the application instructions.
- Current Students: Study Permit Extension (new TWU program at a different level of study [ex. undergraduate to graduate program]):
- If you apply for your study permit extension from inside Canada before your study permit expires, and you are applying to extend your stay as a student in a different program, at the same institution, and at a different level of study, you will be required to obtain a provincial attestation letter in addition to your TWU letter of acceptance (LOA) for the new program. If all of the requirements mentioned above are met, you can continue studying in your new TWU program while you wait for your study permit to be approved.
- New Students:If you are coming from a Canadian high school:
- You should apply for study permit as soon as you receive your TWU Letter of Acceptance (LOA). You can include a letter of explanation to request conditions to work in Canada. You will need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to support your application, and you must receive your new permit before starting your studies at TWU.
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You need to get a new study permit by applying to extend your current one to attend a post-secondary school. Important information: If you finish your secondary school studies early, your study permit will no longer be valid 90 days after you complete your studies, regardless of the date that is shown on your study permit.
- New Students: If you are coming from another Canadian post-secondary institution:
- You need to get a new study permit by applying to extend your current one and receive your new permit before starting your studies at TWU. You will need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to support your application.
- You may continue studying with TWU while waiting for a decision on your new study permit application, but you must need certain criteria. You need to proof that you have completed a program in Canada, and you meet all study permit conditions set by IRCC. Students can reach out to TWU Immigration Advisor (RCICs/RISIAs) HERE to check your study permit validity.
- If you do not meet the criteria, you cannot study with TWU until you receive a new study permit from IRCC.
How to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) at TWU?
If you have not started studying at TWU and/or do not have a valid study permit yet, you need to contact your TWU Admissions Advisor or Enrolment Advisor directly and follow their guidance.
If you are current TWU students who already have a valid study permit but are unsure how to extend your study permits or whether you need a PAL or how to obtain a PAL for your study permit application, please contact TWU’s Immigration Advisor (RCICs/RISIAs) HERE.
If you are a TWU student with a valid study permit and need further clarification regarding the new IRCC policies, you can use the following methods to access the most up-to-date information on IRCC policies:
- Method 1: Contact TWU RCICs/RISIAs through our Service hub online form HERE. We will need to review your study permits and academic records to follow up on any immigration-related concerns. DO NOT send emails to us.
- Method 2: You are welcome to sign up for weekly immigration advising workshops. Even though each workshop has a specific topic, we still provide the most up-to-date IRCC policies every week to students who attend the workshops. Students can register at any time whenever works for them. Explore our most updated weekly workshop schedule on the TWU Event Calendar.
Previous Updates
IRCC Policy (Updated September 18, 2024)
On September 18, 2024, Canada announced changes to the temporary residence programs, which includes study and work permits. We recognize that some announced changes likely have raised concerns for prospective and current students. We are committed to supporting our students during this time.
At this time, based on ongoing conversations with the provincial government and anticipated enrolment plans, we are confident that international students who accept a TWU graduate program offer will receive a supporting provincial attestation letter for their study permit application.
Please take note of these important details relevant to graduate program applicants/current students in 2025:
- As of 2025, master's and doctoral students will be included in the cap and require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Admitted applicants will receive a PAL from TWU Admissions Team after they accept their offer of admission.
- Graduate certificate, graduate diploma and visiting students already required a PAL since 2024.
- The cap does not impact study permit validity or study permit extension applications in Canada.
- As of 2025, if your study permit is expiring and you need to extend it to start a new/different program, you will need a PAL. You will not need a PAL to extend your study permit to continue in the same program.
- You can review the original governmental news release for background information.
Effects on TWU international students as of March 4, 2024
Please carefully read through the following information to understand who this new policy applies to.
- The PALs affect language program students, graduate diploma program students and graduate certificate program students, as well as undergraduate students who meet one of the following situations:
- If your very first-time study permit application was received by IRCC after 8:30 am EST on January 22, 2024, you will need a PAL.
- If you are a current TWU student with an expired student permit and you have not applied for a study permit extension application with IRCC before the expiry date, you will need a PAL for your new study permit application with IRCC.
- If you are a current TWU student and have submitted a study permit extension application with IRCC, but your extension application has been rejected by IRCC, and you need to apply for a new study permit with IRCC, you will need a PAL.
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- If you are visiting or exchange students studying at TWU in Canada.
- If you apply for a study permit as a family member of an existing study permit or work permit holder in Canada — for example, if your spouse holds a work permit in Canada and you apply for a study permit under your spouse — you do not need a PAL.
- If you are a current student with a valid study permit and need to renew/update/extend your current study permit with IRCC in Canada, you do not need a PAL.
- If you have a valid study permit obtained after graduating from secondary school in Canada and are continuing your studies at TWU as an undergraduate student, you do not need a PAL.
- If you have been accepted into a master’s degree or doctoral degree program (if your graduate program leads to a degree) and need to submit a new study permit application with IRCC, you do not need a PAL.
- If you are a current international student with a valid study permit already, you do not need a PAL.
The PALs do not affect students who meet one of the following situations:
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