British Columbia's PAL system

British Columbia’s PAL system

British Columbia’s PAL system has been introduced as part of Canada’s International Study Permit program cap. This system allows international students who wish to study in the province to obtain the necessary documents to prove their eligibility for a study permit through the British Columbia provincial government.

With regard to the annual cap of study permits in Canada for 2024, the provincial government of British Columbia should use the available permits optimally for public universities and colleges. Under the PAL system, British Columbia educational institutions must request a PAL from the provincial government for each of their international students to prove to federal immigration officials that they are eligible to apply for a study permit to enter the province.

This PAL system includes things such as detailed information about the study program, study fees, student profile and study duration. In fact, the PAL is an information letter issued by the provincial government of British Columbia to international students to provide Canadian immigration authorities with the information necessary to validate their study permit application.

This PAL system allows students to receive the necessary documents from the British Columbia provincial government before submitting an official application for a study permit and benefit from its validity to apply for entry into this province.

Read more in the article British Columbia’s PAL system: Denied Entry To Canada

• British Columbia’s Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills confirmed the allocation of 83,000 undergraduate study permit applications for 2024, down from 97,000 in 2023.
• The province has initiated the issuance of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) since 4 March 2024, in compliance with Canada’s international student cap.
• BC becomes the third Canadian province or territory to issue PALs after Quebec and Alberta, allowing the resumption of study permit processing for undergraduate, college, and language studies.
• Minister Lisa Beare emphasized the province’s commitment to mitigating negative impacts and ensuring international students’ success while advocating for a solution that aligns with BC’s unique needs.
• BC’s PAL system involves a verification letter sent from the Province to the institution, then to the international applicant, serving as proof of compliance with the federal cap.

Read more in the article British Columbia’s PAL system: Refugee visa in Canada

• The allocation of study permit quotas slightly favors public post-secondary institutions (53%) over private ones (47%), aiming to support program maintenance while managing growth.
• All designated learning institutions (DLIs) in BC have received their 2024 quota allocation, with a requirement to reconfirm PAL needs by 1 June, with any surplus PALs redistributed within the provincial education system.
• BC’s allocation under the new cap system allows for 83,000 undergraduate study permit applications, expected to result in approximately 50,000 approved permits, compared to 60,000 in 2023.
• Despite a potential -17% reduction in study permits, many institutions anticipate stable or slightly lower enrollments in 2024 due to the allocation formula.

British Columbia Unveils New System for International Student Applications

British Columbia, renowned for its scenic beauty and high-quality education, has revealed crucial details about its latest system for managing international student applications. Here’s a concise rundown of the key points:

Read more in the article British Columbia’s PAL system: 5 challenges of immigrants in Canada and coping strategies 

• Study Permit Allocations: The BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills has disclosed that the province has been allotted 83,000 undergraduate study permit applications for the year 2024. This figure marks a decline from the 97,000 study permit applications recorded in 2023.
• Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs): Effective March 4, 2024, British Columbia has commenced the issuance of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs). These letters, mandated under Canada’s international student cap, provide confirmation of acceptance within BC’s educational institutions. Consequently, study permit processing for undergraduate, college, and language studies has resumed in the province.
• Minister’s Statement: Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Lisa Beare emphasized the ministry’s commitment to addressing challenges faced by post-secondary institutions and ensuring international students’ success. She highlighted the need for a tailored approach considering BC’s distinctive environment.
• Early Implementation: BC joins Quebec and Alberta as one of the initial provinces to adopt the PAL system following the announcement of new requirements by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in January 2024.

Read more in the article British Columbia’s PAL system: Canada’s attractions for American immigration

• PAL Mechanism: The PAL serves as a verification letter, initially sent from the province to the institution, and then to the international applicant. It confirms the applicant’s inclusion within the federal government’s set cap limit. This streamlined process is expected to facilitate study permit applications without significant additional effort.
• Quota Allocation: BC’s allocation of 83,000 undergraduate study permits for 2024, though lower than the previous year, is anticipated to result in approximately 50,000 approved study permit applications. Despite a potential reduction of around 17%, many institutions foresee stable or slightly lower enrollments due to the allocation formula.

• Support for Public Institutions: The distribution of PALs will marginally favor public post-secondary institutions, with 53% of PALs allocated to them compared to 47% for private institutions. This allocation strategy aims to sustain international student programs while managing growth effectively.

• DLIs Advisory: All designated learning institutions (DLIs) in BC have received their allocation of provincial cap quota for 2024. DLIs are required to confirm their PAL requirements by June 1, with any surplus PALs to be redistributed within the provincial education system.

With these measures in place, British Columbia is poised to continue its legacy as a premier destination for international students, ensuring accessibility and quality education in a supportive environment.