Last updated March 3, 2025
In recent months, Canada announced changes to the temporary residence programs, which includes study and work permits. We recognize that some announced changes likely have raised concerns for prospective and current students. We are committed to supporting our students during this time.
ProVincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
As of Jan 22, 2025, most graduate students who apply for a study permit will have to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Applicants who submitted their study permit application prior to Jan 22, 2025 do not require a PAL.
UBC has received sufficient allocation to issue PALs for all newly admitted graduate degree-seeking students. As of Monday, Feb 3, 2025, UBC started issuing and distributing PAL via email to admitted students who accept their admission offer. Newly admitted graduate degree-seeking students will receive their PAL within 5 business days after having accepted their graduate degree admission offer.
Please review these common questions!
Please take note of these important details relevant to graduate applicants/students:
- Master's and doctoral students submitting a study permit application after Jan 21, 2025, will be required to include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
- Graduate certificate, graduate diploma and visiting students already required a PAL since 2024.
- Graduate students of master’s degree programs continue to be eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) for 3 years, even if their program of study is less than 2 years, so long as they meet PGWP eligibility requirements. Graduate certificates and diplomas are not master's degrees and thus do not qualify for this.
You can review the original governmental news release for background information.
We will provide further updates as they become available.
UBC is a government-approved Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with DLI number O19330231062.
For the latest updates please review the information published by
UBC's International Student Development