International Student Study Permit FAQ

According to the IRCC website, provinces and territories will be issuing Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL) to some groups of international students. The attestation letter proves the student has been accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation within the national cap.   

If required, a PAL must be included with your study permit application when you submit your application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).    

Details about PALs can be found on the IRCC website. 

According to the IRCC website, students who fall under the groups listed below do need a Provincial Attestation Letter (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)   
• Visiting/exchange and ESL/FSL programs longer than six months 
• Anyone else not included in the “who does not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)” exception list  

According to the IRCC website, students who fall under the groups listed below do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (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 students and ESL/FSL short-term programs in Canada under six months  
• In-Canada visiting or exchange students studying at a designated learning institution 
• 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   

Once you've accepted your offer, paid your non-refundable $2500 CDN deposit and have completed the required PAL Request Form, Queen’s University will request your PAL from the Province of Ontario. Once your PAL is available, the university will send you an email to the email address you used on your application, providing you a PDF copy of your PAL and your Letter of Acceptance, required for your Study Permit application.  

The amount of Provincial Attestation Letters is limited at each institution and your biographical information on the letter must match the information in your passport. To ensure your biographical information matches your passport, we are requiring you to complete the PAL Request Form, where you will input your name and birthdate as it appears in your passport as well as your Student ID to validate the information and upload a copy of your passport biographical data page. This will help to expedite your PAL and ensure there are no errors.  

What else do I require for my study permit application? 

Important: If you’re applying online, check your personal checklist (generated based on your answers in the online eligibility questionnaire(opens in a new tab)) for these and any other required documents. We also recommend that you check the country-specific application requirements provided by IRCC(opens in a new tab) for additional documents that may be required or recommended.  

• Application for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM1294) 
• Look for the title at the top of the application, or the code at the bottom-left corner of each page. 
• Letter of acceptance (for new students) 

Should include your: 

• Name, 
• student number, and; 
• expected start and end dates of program. 
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of Ontario (for new undergraduate students) 
• All study permit extension applicants are exempt. (Full list of exemptions)(opens in a new tab). 
• This letter is currently in development. If you are not exempt, do not submit an initial study permit application until you have it. 
• Proof of financial support 
• IRCC expects you to prove access to funds to cover a minimum of annual tuition plus at least $20,635 CAD (for applications submitted on or after January 1, 2024) for your first year’s living expenses. Additional funds are required if you are bringing a spouse/partner and/or children. 
• Immigration officers expect you to be able to show access to enough funds to pay for at least one year of studies, and to be convinced you will still have access to funds for any further studies. How you prove access to funds depends on where they come from: 
• If funds are in your account, bank statement(s) with your name. Four to six months of bank statements are recommended. 
• If funds are coming from the University or other institutional source, a letter detailing funding. 
• If funds are coming from family or other individuals, a signed letter confirming their willingness to support you and documentation showing they have enough money to support you. This should include bank statements and income statements (or a letter of employment stating position and salary). 
• Copies from your passport or travel document 
• Including the biographical data page and all pages with visas, stamps or markings (your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected date of your arrival to Canada). 
• If you have a brand new passport, you can provide copies from both your new and old passports, but put the new passport first, and mark it as ‘New Passport’ if possible. 
• Passport-style photograph 
• Taken within the last six months following IRCC recommendations(opens in a new tab), noting that the frame size specifications do not apply for digital photos. 
• $150 CAD processing fee 
• Letter of explanation including your study plan and proof of ties to your country of citizenship

May not specifically be requested, but we consider this a necessary document for outside Canada applicants. It should outline: 

• how pursuing your studies at Queen’s is important and fits with your current or previous studies, current or previous work (if applicable) and long-term plans (unless included in a study plan requested separately), and; 
• ties to your country of residence and/or citizenship to help an immigration officer understand you will have a reason to leave Canada if your status is going to expire and you are unable to extend it. 
• A letter of explanation and any other additional documents can be uploaded in the “Client Information” field of the Optional Documents section. Only one file can be uploaded, but it can be multiple pages. 

You may need other documents, including (but not limited to): 

• Study Plan 
• Should outline how pursuing your studies at Queen’s is important and fits with your current or previous studies, current or previous work (if applicable) and long-term plans. 
• Biometrics (digital fingerprints and photographs) 
• Required by most temporary resident applicants (excluding US citizens) unless they have already submitted them to IRCC in the past 10 years. 
• If you have previously given biometrics, but they will expire before you finish your studies, you should plan to give them again. IRCC has a tool to check the status of your biometrics(opens in a new tab). 
• If you submit biometrics, you must pay an $85 CAD collection fee. 
• IRCC provides additional details about requirements and exemptions. 
• Immigration medical exam(opens in a new tab) results (see below); 
• Students 16 and under will require proof of a custodian. Students between 17 and 18 may be asked for proof. 
• Those applying through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) will have additional requirements (see below). 
• The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is an application option only available to those applying from one of the following countries: 
• Antigua and Barbuda; Brazil; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; India; Morocco; Pakistan; Peru; The Philippines; Senegal; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; Vietnam 

No, the announcement by the IRCC only relates to Study Permit applications required for entry and studies in Canada. Your application for admission to Queen’s is separate from the Study Permit process. If you haven’t already applied to Queen’s, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Learn more about applying here.

Once you’ve applied to Queen’s, watch your email for important information on your application for admission, including submitting required documents, and upcoming deadlines.

Congratulations! If you have received an offer to Queen’s, we first hope you will take a moment to celebrate with your supporters. Your offer of admission is separate from the Study Permit process. Please review your offer email carefully and note any conditions and your deadline to accept. We encourage you to accept your offer of admission as soon as possible and no later than the deadline in your offer email. Once you have accepted your offer, paid your $2500 CDN deposit and have completed the required PAL Request Form (TBD), Queen’s University will request your PAL from the Province of Ontario if applicable. Once your PAL is available, the university will send you an email to the email address you used on your application, providing you with a PDF copy of your PAL and your Letter of Acceptance, required for your Study Permit application.  

If you require a PAL, you must wait until you have both letters before submitting your Study Permit application. In the meantime, you should review the requirements of the Study Permit application and begin preparing your application including completing other required documents.

Queen’s has received its allocation from the Province and we are now issuing Provincial Attestation Letters. If you have received an offer of admission, please review the next steps outlined above. 

If you have a valid study permit, you will not need to apply for a new one. You can continue your studies at Queen’s under your current study permit, as long as it has not expired. You must renew your study permit before the expiry date

Yes! We encourage you to connect with one of our International Student Advisors (ISAs) at the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC). They are regulated through the College of Canadian Immigration Consultants, are trained in Canadian immigration systems and regulations, and are available for in-person meetings, or over Zoom.

No, the announcement by the IRCC only relates to Study Permit applications required for entry and studies in Canada. Your application for admission to Queen’s is separate from the Study Permit process. If you haven’t already applied to Queen’s, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible connect with us about available applications. Learn more about applying here.