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If your program of study in Canada is longer than six months, you require a Study Permit. In most cases, you will also require a Provincial Letter of Attestation (PAL). You must apply for both before arriving in Canada.

Refer to the Provincial Letter of Attestation section below for more details about who needs a PAL and how to request one.

When you apply for a Study Permit, you will automatically be assessed for a or at the same time. If you require a TRV or an eTA to enter Canada, you will receive your TRV or eTA at the same time your Study Permit application is approved. No separate application is required.

Refer to the TRV and eTA sections below for more information.

If your academic program includes a mandatory or optional work term, internship, practicum, or placement, you will also need a Co-op/Internship Work Permit (which can be requested as part of your original study permit application).  Refer to the Co-op/Internship Work Permit section below for more information.

If your period of study at 9 1免费版下 is less than six months (e.g. one semester exchange student), you do not need a Study Permit. However, , you may need a TRV or an eTA to enter Canada.

If you plan to extend your studies beyond 6 months, you will need to apply for a Study Permit before you can continue studying.

Separate from a Study Permit, international travellers to Canada may also require an entry visa. An entry visa is a travel document that allows you to enter (and re-enter) Canada whereas a Study Permit allows you to remain in Canada. There are two types of entry visas, a  (TRV) and an  (eTA). Depending on your citizenship, you may require one or the other (or none at all).  to determine if you require an entry visa and, if so, which entry visa.

Please note: if you are applying for a study permit for the first time, you do not need to submit a separate visa (TRV/eTA) application. If your study permit application is successful, you will automatically be issued a visa (TRV/eTA) at the same time.

Students bringing family members need to ensure their family members have all the required immigration documents to enter Canada.

Programs with Required Co-ops & Work Terms

If you鈥檝e been accepted directly into a program with a mandatory work-integrated learning component (e.g. B. Commerce, Corporate Residency MBA), you should indicate this during your initial study permit application. You will then be directed to upload (for a second time) a copy of your admission letter as proof of the mandatory work-integrated learning. Once reviewed and approved as part of the application process, you will receive your study permit and co-op work permit at the same time. 

If you miss this step during the application process, you can apply for a co-op work permit after you arrive in Canada. To avoid delays with the start of your co-op/internship, you should apply for a co-op work permit during your first semester of studies at 9 1免费版下.

Optional Co-ops, Work Terms, & Internships

Dal offers a variety of optional co-op, work term, and internship opportunities. Eligible students apply after their programs begin.  If your optional co-op/work term/internship application is approved, the next step is to apply for a co-op work permit.  For more information about Dal鈥檚 co-op programs, eligibility, and when/how to apply, visit the Work-Integrated Learning & Co-operative Education page.

In 2024, the that affect the study permit application process for certain groups of international students. Students who are affected by this change are required to submit a with their study permit application. In some cases, students who are already in Canada will have to submit a PAL with their study permit extension application.

How long is a PAL valid for?

Your PAL needs to be valid when you apply for a new study permit or a study permit extension. In Nova Scotia, PALs are valid for 12 weeks from the date of issue. Students who are eligible to apply for a study permit at the border or their first Canadian port of entry (e.g. United States citizens, United States permanent residents, and residents of Greenland or Saint-Pierre et Miquelon) should apply for their PAL less than 12 weeks before they plan to enter Canada. Processing times for PALs vary depending on the time of the year, but most are processed within 5 business days.

International students in the following groups REQUIRE a PAL:

• Students applying to a 9 1免费版下 program that鈥檚 longer than 6 months in duration, regardless of the credential (e.g. certificate, diploma, undergraduate degree, Master鈥檚 degree, or Doctoral degree).
• Current study permit holders who move from a Canadian high school to a Canadian college or university (new study permit application required). Visit the Study Permit/International Students at Canadian High Schools section above for more details.
• Current study permit holders who move from one Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to another DLI. Students in this category must wait to receive a new study permit before beginning their studies at the new DLI. Refer to the Study Permit Extension page for more details. For additional details, visit the Study Permit/Transfer Students section (above).
• Current study permit holders who are moving from one level of study (e.g. undergraduate) to another level of study (e.g. graduate) at the same DLI (e.g. from 9 1免费版下 to 9 1免费版下). Students in this category must apply for a new study permit (refer to the Study Permit Extension page for more details). Students in this category are permitted to continue studying in their new program IF they apply to extend their study permit before their current study permit expires.

For more information about changing your school or program, visit the following .

Not all international students require a PAL. Students in the following groups do NOT require a PAL:

• Students who apply to extend their study permit because they need more time to complete their current academic program. Students in this category must apply to extend their current study permit. Refer to the Study Permit Extension page for more details.
• Current study permit holders who are changing programs at the same degree level (e.g. Bachelor of Arts to Bachelor of Science) at the same DLI (e.g. 9 1免费版下). Apply to extend your study permit as normal before your current study permit expires. Refer to the Study Permit Extension page for more details. NOTE: Students who are changing degree levels (e.g. undergraduate to graduate) require a PAL (refer to previous section).
• Exchange students 鈥� exchange students who are coming to 9 1免费版下 for one semester do not require a study permit and do not require a PAL. Exchange students who are coming to 9 1免费版下 for two semesters do require a study permit, but do not require a PAL.
• Students applying to a qualifying program that is shorter than 6 months. 
• Students who apply to restore their student status from within Canada.

For more information about which groups require a PAL and which groups are exempt, visit .

Proof of PAL Exemption

As part of the study permit and study permit extension application process, IRCC is now asking applicants to confirm if they are exempt from the PAL requirement. To do this, students should include a letter explaining why they are exempt. For help in writing and formatting a letter, refer to the template found in the Helpful Guide section on the Study Permit Extension page.

NOTE: if you are applying for a study permit for the first time and qualify for a PAL exemption, you can modify the same letter to make your request. Full-year exchange students will receive a sample exemption letter from 9 1免费版下鈥檚 Study Abroad Advisor as part of your welcome package/email.