ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: IMPORTANT UPDATE ON PAL/TAL FOR CANADA 2025 🎓

📢 Starting January 22, 2024, Canada has introduced a cap on the number of international students by requiring a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) when applying for a Study Permit. If an applicant does not provide a PAL/TAL (unless exempt), their application will be refused.

🔥 1. Study Permit Cap for 2024 – 2025

📌 Maximum number of Study Permits per year:
✅ 2024: 606,250 permits (January 22, 2024 – January 21, 2025)
✅ 2025: 550,162 permits (January 22, 2025 – December 31, 2025)

👉 Each province and territory (PT) receives a portion of this allocation and will only issue PAL/TAL to applicants who have secured a spot within their limit.

🎓 2. PAL/TAL Requirements for Applicants in Quebec

📍 Applicants studying in provinces/territories outside Quebec:
🔹 MUST provide a PAL/TAL issued by the provincial or territorial government.

📍 Applicants studying in Quebec:
🔹 Do not need a PAL/TAL, but must instead obtain a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ).
🔹 Starting February 13, 2024, all CAQs must include the following statement:

👉 “This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Quebec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it.”

📌 If a CAQ was issued before February 13, 2024, and does not contain this statement, the applicant must request a new CAQ.
⚠️ If the applicant does not obtain a new CAQ or does not qualify for a PAL/TAL exemption, their application will be refused, and fees will be refunded.

✅ 3. Who is Exempt from PAL/TAL?

🚀 Certain applicants are exempt from PAL/TAL under the Ministerial Instructions (MIs) (subject to change).
🚀 Applicants under subsection 215(1) or 215(2) of the IRPR may apply using IMM1294 (Study Permit application outside Canada) even if they are currently in Canada.

📌 Check if you qualify for an exemption here:
🔗https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/attestation-letters.html 

🚨 4. Important Notes for Applicants at Ports of Entry (POEs)

📌 If applying for a temporary 6-week Study Permit to enter Canada and obtain a CAQ, the applicant must qualify for a PAL exemption.

👉 GCMS system note:
👉 “Applicant issued study permit to obtain CAQ within 6 weeks. A new study permit and fees are required.”

📌 If you are planning to study in Canada, make sure to check the PT allocation limits, PAL/TAL requirements, and exemption criteria to avoid having your application refused!

📢 Are you planning to study in Canada? Let’s discuss in the comments below! 💬👇

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