Changes to the International Student Program
As of January 22, 2024, most new post-secondary international students at the college or undergraduate level must provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from a province or territory with their study permit application. Mount Allison has been working with the province of New Brunswick to develop a method of issuing PALs to eligible international students.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
The Government of Canada has set an intake cap on international student permit applications to stabilize new growth for a period of two years. For 2024, the cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits. IRCC has allocated a portion of the cap to each province and territory, who have distributed the allocation among their designated learning institutions (DLIs).
The attestation letters will serve as proof that the student has been accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation within the national cap. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will return any application received that does not include a PAL, unless otherwise exempt.
You can find more information regarding PAL requirements for the study permit application on the IRCC website.
PAL Requirements
According to IRCC, the following groups of international students are required to have a PAL:
- International undergraduate students whose study permit applications were received by IRCC after 8:30 a.m., ET, on Jan. 22, 2024
- Most non-degree granting graduate programs (for example, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and International Professional Programs)
- All visiting/exchange undergraduate and course-based graduate students and ESL/FSL students who will be at Mount Allison for longer than six months
- Anyone else not included in the “who does not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)” exception list
Who does not require a PAL?
According to IRCC, the following groups of international students are not required to have a PAL:
- All international undergraduate students who have submitted a study permit application before 8:30 a.m., ET, on Jan. 22, 2024
- Master’s or doctoral degree students, regardless of when study permit applications were submitted
- Visiting/exchange undergraduate and course-based graduate students and ESL/FSL short-term programs under six months
- In-Canada study permit and work permit holders (includes study permit holders applying for an extension)
- In-Canada family members of study permit or work permit holders
- Primary and secondary school students
Mount Allison's PAL issuing process
Under the new cap, Mount Allison has been allocated a limited number of PALs. As the number of letters that we can send out has been restricted, Mount Allison will be reviewing all student offers for the September 2024 term to determine which applicants will be eligible for a PAL.
Once we have begun the review process, we will email eligible applicants on a rolling basis inviting them to complete the next steps in the PAL process. As we work through the process of issuing the letters and confirming offers, we ask that students remain patient while awaiting further communication. Because our PALs are limited, some students may initially be waitlisted during this process. However, all students can expect to receive an update from us regarding their eligibility by May 1, 2024.
PAL Frequently Asked Questions
When do I get a PAL?
You will be sent an invitation email to complete further steps to successfully receive a PAL if you are eligible to receive a PAL from Mount Allison. Once you have successfully completed the steps, Mount Allison will request your PAL from the Province of New Brunswick. Once your PAL is available, the University will send you the PAL and the letter of acceptance (LOA) through a secured method.
How will I know if I am eligible to receive a PAL from Mount Allison?
If you meet our admission requirements, you will be informed via email whether you are eligible to receive a PAL from Mount Allison or not. The email will contain further instructions on how to proceed with our PAL process. Because our PALs are limited, some students may initially be waitlisted during this process. However, all students can expect to receive an update from us regarding their eligibility by May 1, 2024.
I have already paid the $450 registration deposit and received my letter of acceptance (LOA). Do I still need a PAL from Mount Allison?
According to IRCC regulations, most applicants will require both the LOA and PAL in order to apply for a study permit application. Mount Allison will be reaching out to all students who have been offered admission for the September 2024 intake and have paid their registration deposit prior to March 11, 2024, with further instructions on the PAL process.