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TRAVEL TO CANADA: VISA CONSIDERATIONS

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’s 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’s website

If you need a PAL for your study permit application, please review our FAQ page here on how to obtain a PAL from ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV. We will continue to update our webpages and online resources to reflect the expanded PAL requirements. Thank you for your patience. 

If you plan to visit or transit through another country en route to Canada

You should check with that country’s Embassy/Consulate to find out which documents you and your accompanying family members will need to enter and/or transit through on your way to Canada. Make sure you apply well in advance! 

Planning to transit through the United States? 

You may require a visa to transit through the United States on your way to Canada.  Before you book your flight to Canada, you should ensure that you have the proper documents. Check with the United States Embassy or Consulate closest to you.  You can also find information about U.S. visa requirements on the .