Provincial Attestation Letter

What is a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
An attestation letter is a declaration that verifies information and serves as proof that the student has been accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation within the national cap. In 2024, the Government of Canada announced that, other than a few exemptions, international applicants to post-secondary programs will be required to provide a PAL from the province or territory in which they will study. For studies at UNF, the PAL must be provided by the provincial government of Ontario, the province in which the University of Niagara Falls Canada is located. A Provincial Attestation Letter may also be referred to simply as an “attestation letter”.

Who requires a PAL?

• Undergraduate students
• Graduate students
• Graduate diploma and certificate students
• Visiting students studying at UNF for six months or longer

Who does NOT require a PAL?

• Students requesting study permit extensions at the same Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and level of study as their current study permit.

Note: If you are transferring to UNF from another DLI (for example, another post-secondary institution) or changing to a different level of study, you will require a PAL and new study permit application.

Source: Government of Canada website

To receive a PAL and study at UNF, applicants must:

• Receive an Offer of Admission.
• Complete the PAL Questionnaire, which is the first step of the validation process. This includes providing all required supporting and financial documentation.
• Undergo PAL validation by UNF’s PAL team. Validation includes review of the readiness questionnaire, academic readiness, and financial documentation to confirm the applicant’s ability to apply for a study permit.
• Receive PAL-eligibility confirmation from UNF’s PAL team.
  • PAL-eligibility confirmation means the applicant has successfully passed UNF’s PAL validation process and is considered eligible for PAL issuance, subject to 2026 Ministry allocation availability and program capacity.
• Pay the required deposit as outlined in the Offer of Admission.
  • Important: Payment of a deposit does not guarantee issuance of a PAL. PAL issuance depends on the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ 2026 PAL allocation, intake/program capacity, and successful completion of the PAL validation process.
• Upon receipt of the deposit, UNF will issue a Letter of Acceptance (LOA).

Timing of PAL issuance: PAL issuance will not occur immediately upon eligibility confirmation or deposit. Issuance will begin after UNF receives its 2026 PAL allocation from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Timing is dependent on the Ministry's release schedule and may vary from year to year. (See PAL allocation timeline below for details.)

Note for master’s applicants only: Applicants required to complete Graduate Foundation Program must successfully complete the bridging studies online before a PAL will be issued, even after PAL-eligibility confirmation.

How will I know if my PAL is available?

Once UNF receives your PAL from the provincial issuing body, it will be uploaded to your UNF Applicant Portal through AppHero, in the same location as your Letter of Acceptance package. You will be notified via email once it’s ready.

Can I obtain my PAL any faster?

PAL issuance will begin once UNF receives its 2026 PAL allocation from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. To help ensure your PAL is issued as quickly as possible, we recommend monitoring your email closely and responding promptly to any outreach from the UNF PAL Team.

UNF has introduced a PAL Refund Guarantee for international applicants.

Eligibility

An applicant who has received PAL eligibility confirmation from UNF’s PAL team prior to Dec. 31, 2025, and has paid their deposit, would be eligible for this refund guarantee if the university is unable to issue a PAL to you after it has received its 2026 PAL allocation from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Through this guarantee, the deposit will be refunded in full, and the $500 administrative fee will be waived.  

The refund guarantee will apply within five business days of UNF’s receipt of the 2026 allocation.  

Once a PAL has been issued to an eligible applicant, all withdrawals and refunds are subject to UNF’s standard refund policy, including the $500 administrative fee. 

Visa refusals, incomplete document submissions, or voluntary withdrawals after PAL issuance are not covered by the PAL Refund Guarantee. 

What do I need to do to be eligible for a PAL from UNF?

To be eligible for a PAL, you must complete UNF’s PAL validation process. This includes:

• Receiving an Offer of Admission.
• Completing the PAL Questionnaire with required academic and financial documents.
• Undergoing review by UNF’s PAL team to confirm readiness.
• Receiving PAL-eligibility confirmation from UNF.
• Paying your deposit as outlined in your Offer of Admission.

Important: Payment of a deposit alone does not guarantee issuance of a PAL. PALs will be issued once UNF receives its 2026 PAL allocation from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Where do I submit my PAL once I have received it?

You must submit your PAL together with your Letter of Acceptance as part of your study permit application to IRCC. Failure to include the PAL may lead to your application being closed or refused.

How long is a PAL valid for?

Your PAL is valid only within the timeframe indicated on the document, unless otherwise specified by UNF. If it is not submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) by the deadline indicated on the document or by UNF (whichever comes first), it may no longer be accepted. This could result in your study permit application being closed or rejected, and UNF may reallocate the PAL to another applicant to ensure allocations are used fairly and within the limits set by the Ministry and IRCC.

Can I reuse my PAL?

No. Each PAL is unique and can only be used once. Once it has been submitted with a visa application, it cannot be reused, even if the application is withdrawn, closed, or refused.

Can I receive more than one PAL?

Eligible applicants may receive only one PAL to support their study permit application to IRCC. Once a PAL is generated, it cannot be changed. It’s very important to provide accurate information during your program application with UNF or when requested by the UNF PAL Team to avoid delays or errors.

When will I get my PAL?

Your 2026 PAL will be available for download once UNF receives its 2026 PAL allocation, provided you have received confirmation of eligibility from the UNF PAL Team.

My study permit application has been approved. Do I still need a PAL?

No. If your study permit has already been approved using your UNF Letter of Acceptance, you do not need to a PAL.

My study permit application has been approved. Do I need a PAL to travel to Canada?

No. Once your study permit is approved, a PAL is not required to enter Canada. You will need your Letter of Acceptance, proof of tuition payment, a valid passport, and any other required travel documents.

If I defer my admission to a later intake, do I need a new PAL?

No, a new PAL is not required unless your admission deferral is due to a visa refusal.

What happens if I withdraw after receiving a PAL?

If you withdraw after receiving a PAL, the letter will no longer be valid since you will no longer be an active applicant under UNF. In this case, you would also not be eligible for the PAL Refund Guarantee

If you have any questions about your PAL or the process, please email pal.letters@unfc.ca.