Recent IRCC Announcements

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

On January 22, the Government of Canada affirmed the value and world-class caliber of Canada’s public university system with reforms to the issuance of study permits, post-graduate work permits, and spousal work permits. Please see the information below that clarifies how this may affect international at Lakehead University students.

For complete details, visit the following IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) announcements:

Do I need a PAL?

You do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please start your study permit application as soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance from Lakehead.

You do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). If you received a request to complete Lakehead's PAL request form, please indicate that you've applied for your study permit before Jan. 22, 2024 at 8:30 am ET. Please continue to monitor your IRCC account for updates on your study permit application.

You are required to have a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please start your study permit application once you have received your PAL and Letter of Acceptance from Lakehead.

You are not required to have a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please start your study permit application (or extension) as soon as you have all the required documents.

If your study permit expired and you did not submit an extension before its expiry, you have lost status. You must immediately stop studying and working. There is a strict 90-days after your study permit in which you can apply for restoration. You do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). However, restoration is a complex application. Please speak to an international student advisor as soon as possible for advice on this application.

You do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Normally a study permit is required for any program over 6 months long. However, under a temporary policy you may be exempt from a study permit if you had a valid work permit or a work permit application in progress on June 7, 2023. If you are not exempt under this policy, please start your study permit application as soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance from Lakehead.

You do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please start your study permit application as soon as you have received your new Letter of Acceptance from Lakehead with the extension to your studies.

You do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please start your study permit application as soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance for your main program at Lakehead.

You do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please start your study permit application as soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance from Lakehead.

You do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please start your study permit application as soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance from Lakehead.

You do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Normally a study permit is required for any program over 6 months long. However, under a temporary policy you may be exempt from a study permit if you had a valid work permit or a work permit application in progress on June 7, 2023. If you are not exempt under this policy, please start your study permit application as soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance from Lakehead.

You are required to have a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please start your study permit application once you have received your PAL and Letter of Acceptance from Lakehead.

Lakehead University does not assume any liability for outcomes resulting from inaccurate or incorrect information provided by applicants.

What is a PAL?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily limited the number of international study permit applications that can be made for most post-secondary programs. The Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) serves as proof that the applicant has been accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation within the national cap.
How do I get a PAL?

1. Accept your Offer of Admission & Pay your Confirmation Deposit to secure your study spot 2. Complete a short PAL Request Form 3. When approved, pay your PAL Confirmation Deposit 4. Receive PAL from Lakehead University 5. Apply for Study Permit

Note: Undergraduate applicants will be invited to complete Step 2 after Lakehead University has confirmed your acceptance and deposit.

International Masters and PhD Students
International Undergraduate Students
  • International Undergraduate Students admitted to Lakehead University and applying for their study permit on/after January 22, 2024, will be required to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) along with their study permit application. Please check your email for details on receiving your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
  • The spouses and common-law partners of international undergraduate university and college students will no longer be eligible for an open work permit unless they already hold an open work permit.  There are some exemptions which can be viewed here.
Visiting or Exchange Students
  • In-Canada visiting students or exchange students will not need a provincial attestation letter (PAL).  
  • Visiting students or exchange students that are studying longer than 6 months will need to apply for a study permit and therefore will also require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). 
Post-Graduation Work Permits
  • Restrictions are being made on private, for-profit institutions that deliver their own programs, or those administered through a curriculum-licensed program. Private, for-profit institutions may see their number of study permits restricted, and their students will no longer be eligible for PGWP, and no longer be eligible for spousal work permits. As a public university, Lakehead University does not fall into this category.

Note: International students whose applications were received by IRCC before 8:30am EST on January 22, 2024, as well as those who have already been approved for a study permit and intend to travel to Canada for an upcoming program, do not need to take further action as a result of the cap.