What changed
Effective 1 January 2026, international students enrolling in master's or doctoral programs at public designated learning institutions (DLIs) are exempt from submitting a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) with their study permit application. Graduate students at public institutions are also treated outside the main capped pool for undergraduate and college applicants, which is limited to 180,000 issued permits.
The exemption applies only to public DLIs. Students at private institutions, and undergraduate and college applicants generally, still require a PAL/TAL.
What it means for students
For Indian students targeting a Canadian master's or PhD at a public university, this removes one procedural hurdle and can shorten the pre-application timeline, since a provincial attestation letter is no longer needed. Applicants should still confirm that their chosen institution is a public DLI and continue to meet all other study permit requirements, including proof of funds and admission.