US STUDENTS: APPLY AT PORT OF ENTRY
On January 24, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada additional groups of students who are now required to have a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) when applying for a study permit. Some highlights of the expanded PAL requirement are:
- These changes will apply to study permit applications that are submitted on or after January 22, 2025. They will apply to both in-Canada study permit extensions and outside Canada study permit applications.
- Master鈥檚 and PhD students are required to have a valid PAL.
- Students are exempt from submitting a PAL if they are extending their study permits within Canada at the same designated learning institution and same level of study as their current study permit.
For more information about who will be exempt from a PAL, review IRCC鈥檚 website
If you need a PAL for your study permit application, please review our FAQ page here on how to obtain a PAL from 丁香园AV. We will continue to update our webpages and online resources to reflect the expanded PAL requirements. Thank you for your patience.
You can apply for a study permit online via the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Visit the 丁香园AV website for more information about how to submit a study permit application online.
You also have the option of submitting your study permit application upon your arrival at a Canadian Port of Entry (e.g. your airport of arrival or land crossing into Canada) if you are:
- a national or permanent resident of the United States (US)
- someone who has lawfully been admitted to the US for permanent residence
- a resident of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon
Please review the information below carefully if you will be applying for a study permit at the port of entry:
Starting on January 22, 2025, students applying for study permits are now required to submit a (PAL), from the province where they intend to study, unless exempted*. If a PAL is required for a study permit application, you also need to carry it even if the study permit application is processed at a port of entry. Please visit our FAQ page for more information on how to get a PAL from 丁香园AV.
*Exchange students (students who are studying under an exchange arrangement between 丁香园AV and their home institution, and who pay tuition to their home institution), and students applying for study permits in the preschool, primary, and secondary levels are a few of those who are exempted from this requirement.
For more information about who is exempt from the PAL, and who needs a PAL, review the links below:
If you determine that you are PAL exempt, you will need to provide proof of the PAL exemption you fall under in your study permit application. Ensure you upload the document(s) under the "Proof of Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) Exception" section in your If you have any questions about this, contact a 丁香园AV International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.
It is important that you carefully consider your options and whether to apply for a study permit at the port of entry or online. If you are planning to apply for a study permit at the port of entry, we advise speaking with an 丁香园AV International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist prior to doing so.
Application at the port of entry
Fill out the IRCC in advance and prepare the required documentation to present upon arrival. You will need proof of citizenship, a secondary piece of official identification, your official letter of acceptance (also known as an admission letter or admission offer) from 丁香园AV, the application fee and . Visit the for more information about making a study permit application upon entering Canada.
If you are not a US citizen, in most cases you will be required to give your biometrics upon arrival at the port of entry to Canada when making your study permit application. Visit the to find out if you will need to give your biometrics.