Study Permits
Study permit intake caps: what applicants should verify before applying
Provincial and territorial attestation letters are now part of most study permit applications. Here is where the requirement comes from and what to confirm with your institution.
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What changed
Most new study permit applicants must include a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) with their application. Institutions issue these under an allocation set by the province.
Who it affects
Applicants to most post-secondary programs. Some applicants — including certain primary and secondary school students and some permit extensions — are exempt.
What to do
Confirm three things with your designated learning institution in writing: that it can issue an attestation letter for your intake, the expected timing, and whether your program is exempt.
Our reading
The attestation letter is an administrative gate, not an assessment of your application. Missing it usually results in a returned application rather than a refusal — but the lost intake cycle is the real cost.
Official sources
- IRCC — Study permit: get the right documentsLast checked 2026-08-30
This article was last reviewed against official sources on August 21, 2026.
This article is general educational information, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the official sources above or with a licensed Canadian immigration professional before you act.