Study Permits

A provincial attestation letter (PAL) is a new part of the study permit application required by the Canadian government for new international undergraduate students without a valid study permit.

Most new international students coming from outside of Canada will require a PAL. If you are an international student studying at a Canadian high school with a valid study permit, you do not require a PAL.There are a few exemptions and they can be found on the IRCC website.

Yes! You can apply to Western without a PAL, but you will need to get a PAL to apply for a Study Permit if you receive an offer of admission.

To get your pal from Western, you must:

1. Accept your offer of admission to an undergraduate program at Western.
2. Pay your tuition deposit.
3. Complete the PAL request form available in the Choose Western offer portal.

Once we receive confirmation that you have completed these steps, we will begin the process of issuing you a PAL.

Please allow 5-10 days after completing the request form, accepting your offer, paying your deposit and meeting any English language condition (if applicable) to receive your PAL. If you have completed all requirements and haven’t received anything by then, you can reach out to welcome@uwo.ca.

You will get an email when your PAL is available for download on the Choose Western offer portal.

Important: before Western will issue you your PAL, you must:

1. Accept your offer of admission
2. Pay your tuition deposit.
3. Submit your English Language Proficiency results if it is a condition of your offer

Remember: before you can receive a PAL, you must accept your offer, pay your tuition deposit and submit your English Language Proficiency results if it’s a condition of your offer.

After you have your PAL you should apply as soon as possible for your study permit from  Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Submit your PAL from Western with your required documents. 

If you submitted your completed study permit application prior to January 22, the new cap does not apply to you and your application will be processed. 

You will not need a new study permit, but you may need to renew your study permit. If you are a current student, your study permit validity and study permit extension application from inside Canada will not be impacted by these changes. If you will be travelling outside of Canada and your documents will expire soon, be sure to plan ahead and renew before you go. You will need a PAL if you have to renew or apply for a study permit from outside Canada.

Your study permit will be valid for any Canadian province if it has not expired.

Yes, if you have a valid study permit you are exempt from the cap and can apply to transfer to Western.

If you are a current student, your study permit validity and study permit extension application from inside Canada will not be impacted by these changes. If you will be travelling outside of Canada and your documents will expire soon, be sure to plan ahead and renew before you go. You will need a PAL if you have to renew or apply for a study permit from outside Canada.

Please send any immigration questions to  Western International at  iesc@uwo.ca and any questions related to provincial attestation letters (PALs) and PAL process to welcome@uwo.ca.

If you are a current student, your study permit validity and study permit extension application from inside Canada will not be impacted by these changes.

If you have taken a leave of absence from your studies at Western and your study permit will expire/has expired, and you are no longer in Canada, please contact Western International at iesc@uwo.ca before May 1 to discuss your eligibility for a PAL.

If you are a current student, your study permit validity and study permit extension application from inside Canada will not be impacted by these changes. If you will be travelling outside of Canada and your documents will expire soon, be sure to plan ahead and renew before you go. You will need a PAL if you have to renew or apply for a study permit from outside Canada.

Please contact Western International at iesc@uwo.ca

No, the study permit cap will only apply to new undergraduate student study permit applications. Prospective master's and doctoral degree applicants are exempt from this requirement.

There is no change to the process if you have applied to a master's or PhD program; your application will continue to be processed. If you applied for your study permit after January 22, 2024, and are not pursuing a master's or doctoral degree, your study permit will not be processed and you will be issued a refund.

Please send any immigration questions to Western International at  iesc@uwo.ca.

All international students who wish to pursue a program of study of at least 6 months in length at Western University must hold a valid study permit that authorizes studies at any Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada, such as Western University or its affiliates (King’s University College, Huron University College or Brescia University College). See below if your program of study is less than 6 months in length.

DLI Numbers for Western University and its affiliates

Western University Brescia University College King’s University College Huron University College

O19375892122 O19331472822 O19376872842 O19332573852

International students are responsible for applying for their initial study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Please visit the IRCC website for further information, document requirements and application instructions. If you are applying as an undergraduate student, you will require a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province. Please see the PAL section at the top of the page for more information. 

Your current country of residence and status in that country will determine whether you apply online, by paper through a Canadian Visa Application Centre, or upon entry into Canada. Please note that only citizens of the USA and St. Pierre and Miquelon may apply for a study permit upon entry into Canada. 

Some international students can get their study permits faster by using the Student Direct Stream (SDS).

Students will need to follow the steps to order an official SDS Western Letter to prove that you have paid your tuition for your first year of study.

The Canadian government announced on January 22, 2024 a cap on new study permits for the next two years and the requirement for a provincial letter of attestation (PAL) for any new study permit applications. 

Current study permit holders, as well as master's and doctoral program applicants are exempt from this requirement.

More details about how to acquire a PAL can be found in the section above on this page. 

You will also need a Letter of Acceptance from Western University  before you apply for your study permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

Visit  IRCC for current up-to-date processing times in your area.

If you are applying as an undergraduate student, you will require a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province. More information about that process will be available soon.

Note: You may not begin your studies at Western University until you have received a study permit that authorizes studies at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.  

If you are currently in Canada and can’t complete your program before your study permit expires, you must apply to extend your study permit before it expires.

If you have been studying at a secondary school in Canada and your study permit is still valid, you don’t need to apply for a new study permit. If you want to work while you study, you may need to change the conditions of your study permit. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a new study permit from within Canada.

If you are applying for a study permit extension from within Canada, the study permit will be mailed to your Canadian mailing address. If you also need a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for travel and re-entry into Canada during your studies, you can apply for a TRV separately from inside Canada.

International students who will be attending Western University for a short-term program of under 6 months in duration such as a one-term exchange, may enter Canada as a visitor for the purpose of short-term studies. Please note that if you plan on using that course/program as a prerequisite for a subsequent program of study (e.g., English as a Second Language), you must apply for a study permit.

Students who wish to conduct research only, under the supervision of a host faculty member at Western University, please visit the  Visiting Research Only students sections. Research students are responsible for securing their own host supervisor abroad in a research area that aligns with their program.  

Please carefully read the instructions provided by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and follow the Document Checklists provided on their website and by their regional visa offices.

Generally, you will be required to provide the following documents in addition to the application form(s):

• Passport or Travel Document
  *Note: A study permit cannot be issued for longer than the duration of your passport validity. If your passport will expire during your studies in Canada, it is your responsibility to renew it as soon as possible and apply for a study permit extension before your study permit expires.
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) (if applying as an undergraduate after January 22, 2024)
• Letter of Acceptance from Western University
  Visit your Student Center account online to download your Letter of Acceptance. This letter is not the Offer of Admission letter. (Your browser settings must allow pop-up windows).
• Proof of means of financial support
  You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover the costs of upcoming year’s tuition fees plus living expenses (for you and your family members if accompanying you to Canada) for a year. As of January 1, 2024, the minimum financial requirement for living expenses for new study permit applications is $20,635 for an individual student.
  Please note that this is the minimum financial requirement to apply. You are expected to have sufficient funds or make arrangements for sufficient funds to be transferred to you for the duration of your studies. We DO NOT recommend relying upon employment in Canada to prove your financial status as this is not guaranteed and may not provide sufficient income to meet the minimum requirements. Further information about required documents.
• Visa photos (digital if applying online)
• Biometrics (fingerprints and photograph)
  You will be asked to go to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) abroad or a Biometrics Centre in Canada.
  Find out more about providing your biometrics.
• Study Plan
  It is recommended that graduate students provide a letter of explanation about why they have chosen a program at Western University (academic reasons), and how the program is related to any past education and/or future career goals. Undergraduate students may also wish or be required to provide a Study Plan.
• Depending on your country of residency, you may also be asked to provide:
  • An immigration medical exam that has been performed by a Panel Physician who has been approved to conduct immigration medical examinations
  • Specific documents to prove financial support
  • A police certificate
  • Any additional documents as requested by the responsible visa office
• Fee payment

"Minor children who are less than 17 years of age and come to Canada to study without a parent or legal guardian must be cared for by a responsible adult in Canada. This person is known as a custodian. A notarized custodianship declaration, such as the form Custodianship Declaration - Custodian for Minors Studying in Canada (IMM 5646) (PDF, 1 MB), must be completed by the parents or legal guardians in the country of origin and by the custodian in Canada.

Minor children between 17 years of age and the age of majority in the province or territory (18 or 19 years old) where they intend to study, may need a custodian at the discretion of an immigration officer." ¹  

It is the responsibility of the student's family to satisfy this requirement. Western University is not able to serve as a custodian.

See IRCC's information on minor children studying in Canada.

Spouses and children of international students may apply to accompany the international student to Canada during their studies. Further information.

You have lost your status if you are still in Canada and:

• The expiry date of your permit passed before you had applied for
  • a new study permit
  • a work permit, or
  • to stay in Canada as a visitor
• You didn’t respect the conditions of your permit

In some cases, you may apply to restore your status as a student. To apply, you must:

• Submit your application within 90 days of losing your status
• Clearly and completely explain how you lost your status
• Pay your fees
  • Restoration ($200) and
  • Study permit ($150)

NOTE:You may stay in Canada while we make a decision on your application. But, you aren’t allowed to study until your status has been restored. The application for restoration does not guarantee restoration of student status.

Once your study permit is approved by IRCC, you will receive a Letter of Introduction to confirm the decision. This is not your study permit. You will need to present this letter to an immigration official upon entry i nto Canada and your study permit will be printed and issued to you upon arrival.

• If you are a national of a country that requires a visa to travel to Canada, you will be asked to provide your passport for visa issuance during application processing.
• If you are a national of a country that does not require a visa to travel to Canada (visa-exempt), an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) will be automatically issued and this is linked to your current passport.
  
  The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA for visa-exempt nationals) allow you to travel to and enter Canada.