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Last updated: June 2025

According to Canada's federal immigration regulations, most international students are required to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) with their study permit application (some exceptions apply).

WHO NEEDS A PAL?

Inside Canada applicants

• Canadian High school students who are transitioning to Post-secondary studies and applying for a study permit extension
• Current students in Canada who are applying to restore their status (applying for a Study Permit restoration after the expiration date on their study permit)
• Current students reapplying after a study permit extension refusal
• Current ESL students accepted to an Undergraduate or Graduate program
• Transfer students who are changing their Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

Who does not require a PAL?

IRCC lists the categories of applicants who do NOT need a PAL at the time of their study permit application This list includes:

• Current international students applying for a study permit extension at the same Designated Learning Institution (DLI) AND the same level of study as noted on their study permit
• Exchange students who do not pay tuition fees to the Canadian DLI due to an exchange agreement between their home institution and the DLI in Canada.

When will I receive my PAL?

Undergraduate students: After you accept your offer, your PAL will be issued within 10 business days. You will receive an email notification at the email address you provided during your admission application with instructions on how to download your PAL.

Graduate Students: Your PAL will be issued based on the date you received your original offer of admission from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS):

• You do not need to request a PAL if: You received your original offer on or after January 22, 2025. Your PAL will be issued automatically within 10 business days.
• You must request a PAL if: You are applying for your study permit after January 22, 2025, and one of the following applies:
  • You received your original offer before January 22, 2025, or 
  • You deferred your admission and received an updated offer

How to request a PAL for Graduate students?

• Submit a ticket through the with the subject “Graduate Student PAL Request”.
• Your PAL will be issued within 10 business days of submitting your request.
• You will receive an email at your @ualberta.ca email when your PAL is available for download.

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PAL Details

• The PAL Document Number is located in the top-right corner of your letter, and begins with #AB
• Your PAL must have the Â鶹ÊÓƵ listed as your DLI to apply for a study permit to attend the Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

Accessing Your PAL

• Your PAL will be sent via your MyCreds account.
• You will receive an email from noreply@mycreds.ca with download instructions.
• Check your inbox and Spam/Junk folder just in case
• For details, visit the MyCreds webpage.

If you are unable to access your PAL, try the following:

1. Undergraduate students: Log in to MyCreds using the email address associated with your application to UofA
   Graduate students: Log in to MyCreds using your @ualberta.ca email.
   If you already have a MyCreds account with a different email, you can link your ualberta email to merge accounts and access your PAL.
   
2. Ensure your browser is up to date.
3. Clear your Cache and try again. Old cached data may interfere with loading your PAL.
4. Log in to MyCreds using a computer, not a phone.
5. Use a private browsing mode or a different browser to access MyCreds.

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When To Use Your EXISTING PAL

You do not need a new or updated PAL when applying for your study permit if:

• The PAL is not signed. PALs are issued without a signature by Alberta Advanced Education.
• The address listed is:
  • Incorrect, 
  • Different from your current address, or 
  • Different from the one on your Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
• Your Middle name(s) is missing, but your First and Last names are correct and match your passport. 
• The program name on the PAL is different from the LOA, as long as both programs are at the same level and offered by the Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
• You’re admitted to an undergraduate program and your PAL lists a Fall start date, but you plan to start in the following Winter term.
• You previously used your PAL in a study permit application that was cancelled or withdrawn (but not refused), and you are applying again.

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When To Get a NEW PAL

You must request a new PAL if: 

• There are errors in any of the following:
  • Your Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Your Alberta Student Number (ASN)
  • Program start and/or end dates
  • Program level (for example, listed as Undergraduate when your program is Graduate)
• Your PAL was used in a study permit application that was refused by IRCC.

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Current U OF A Students

You do not need a PAL if

• You are applying for a study permit extension at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ and for the same level of study as your current study permit. The following are considered the same level of study.
  • Graduate: master’s and PhD programs
  • Undergraduate: degree, diploma, certificate programs
• You are applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). In the IRCC questionnaire, indicate you are exempt from the PAL requirement.

Include a that you are exempt from the PAL requirement with your application.

You need a PAL if

• You are changing institutions in Canada
• You have already used your PAL for a study permit application that was refused by IRCC.
• You are changing your level of study for example; Secondary School to Post Secondary, Bachelor’s to Master’s.
• You are applying for a study permit from outside Canada
• You are applying to , use your @ualberta.ca) email address to submit the form.
  

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Frequently Asked Questions

This information was accurate at the time of publication. If you have further questions about the PAL process, timelines, or the Study Permit application process.

Contact an International Student Specialist

For the most up-to-date immigration information, visit the