On Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced measures to stabilize growth and cap international student study permit applications. These temporary measures will be in place for two years.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
The Government of Canada mandates the inclusion of a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) in the application process for international students seeking to study in Canada.
This document serves as evidence that the student has been allocated a spot within a province's quota for study permits under the national cap. You will need to submit your PAL with your application for a study permit.
Most international students starting in the fall 2024 semester, winter 2025 semester and on will need a PAL to apply for their study permit.
You will need a PAL if:
- you are an international student attending an undergraduate degree program, a diploma program or a certificate program
- your situation is not described in the IRCC's PAL exception list.
You do not need a PAL if:
- you submitted your study permit application before 8:30 am ET on Jan. 22, 2024
- you are already in Canada and seeking an extension on your study permit or work permit
- you are in Canada with a family member who has a study permit or a work permit
- you are a temporary resident who has completed a course or program of study, such as SAIT's English Language Foundations, that is a prerequisite to enrolling at a designated learning institution
- you are already in Canada with a temporary resident permit valid for at least 6 months.
What these changes mean for international students
Students with existing study permits
If you already hold a study permit, you will not be impacted by the changes announced by IRCC on January 22, 2024.
Students starting in the spring 2024 semester
Unfortunately, if you do not already have your study permit, it is unlikely you will have enough time to obtain both provincial attestation letters and study permits in time to begin the spring 2024 semester.
We are working toward options for you moving forward, including possible deferral winter 2025.
To help us assess how best to support you, please fill out this survey prior to March 22, 2024. More information will be sent to you directly by email.
If you applied to a Professional Continuing Education program, please contact Continuing Education and Professional Studies for assistance.
Students starting in the fall 2024 semester
We have now established a process for new students to request a PAL. As an accepted student attending SAIT for the fall 2024 semester, you will receive a PAL request form by email. Please fill out the request form.
SAIT will request a PAL for you from the Government of Alberta, and once we receive it, we will send it to you. This process should take approximately 15 business days after you fill out your PAL request form.
❗️Once you have received your PAL, it is essential to submit it alongside your study permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Students applying for the Winter 2025 semester
Applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be selected based on program admission requirements and proof of English language proficiency. We strongly recommend uploading all supporting documents and carefully answering all application questions for the best outcomes.
After receiving an offer letter, please pay your tuition deposit. Once your seat is confirmed, you will receive a PAL request form by email. Please fill out the request form.
You will need to include both your letter of attestation and letter of acceptance with your study permit application. Processing time from deposit payment to receiving your letter of attestation is anticipated to be approximately 15 business days.
Apply for your study permit with SAIT and BorderPass
SAIT has partnered with BorderPass to offer all direct international applicants access to its premium Canadian immigration services.
BorderPass offers access to trusted immigration lawyers and legal services via a digital platform.
New applicants who have been accepted and received a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) can use this service to apply for their study permit.
This service is exclusive to applicants who aren’t working with an Agent.
Open work permits
At this time, the spousal open work permit is no longer available for spouses of study permit holders.
Open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. The spouses of international students at SAIT studying toward a certificate, professional certificate, diploma, or degree will not be eligible for open work permits.
However, if you already hold a study permit and your spouse has an existing open work permit, you will not be impacted by the changes announced by IRCC on January 22, 2024. Your spouse should be able to apply for an open work permit extension.
IRCC has yet to clarify if they will limit spousal open work permits for current PGWP holders.
In place of the open work permit, your spouse may be eligible for a study permit, visitor visa or working holiday visa. Other family members will require a visitor visa to accompany you to Canada.
We recommend you consult with an immigration lawyer or someone who has IRCC designation to understand your family's options.
Post graduate work permit (PGWP)
SAIT is a public institution, and therefore most of our programs are post-graduation work permit-eligible. The IRCC's announcement has no impact on any of our programs regarding PGWP eligibility.
IRCC will not be making any changes to the PGWP length for two-year programs. However, our post-diploma certificates will no longer qualify for the new, longer PGWP announced on January 22, 2024.
Additionally, none of our programs are based on public-private partnership license.
To view which SAIT credit programs meet PGWP eligibility requirements, visit programs and courses open to international applicants. View which SAIT Continuing Education and Professional Studies programs meet PGWP requirements here.
Support
Support is available through the International Centre if you have additional questions and concerns related to these IRCC changes.
If you are a professional certificate student, contact Continuing Education and Professional Studies.
Academic help is also available through the Lamb Learner Success Centre, and mental health support is available through Student Development and Counselling.
International
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.