Changes to Canadian Study Permit Policies

Following the Canadian government’s recent announcements about upcoming and ongoing changes to the immigration system, there have been policy adjustments introduced that impact international students, including the requirement for international graduate program applicants to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) as part of their study permit application.

Under the new regulations, all international graduate program applicants applying for a study permit after January 22, 2025, will require a PAL as part of their study permit application. International graduate program applicants who submitted their study permit application prior to January 22, 2025, are not required to submit a PAL.

For international graduate applicants to receive a PAL from Western, they must:

  1. Accept their offer of admission.
  2. Pay their $2,000 tuition deposit (Master’s programs only).
  3. Complete the PAL request form (available February 18) via the Graduate Student Web Services Portal.

Please note: The new system for applicants to request and receive their PAL will be available on February 18, 2025. Applicants can pay their tuition deposit at any time via the Office of the Registrar website: registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_payment_methods/index.html. Please check this website regularly for the most up-to-date information.

Find immigration-related information and supports

Western’s registered immigration advisors are available to support students and the Western community in navigating these updates. Updated details and instructions for students and applicants are made available on the Western International website as they are confirmed. In addition, immigration questions can also be directed to international student advisors at iss@uwo.ca.

We also recommend that you access this Government of Canada website to help you forecast how long it may take to process your study permit application.

Explore programs at Western

Despite the immigration policy changes, Western is committed to supporting international applicants and students. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will continue to process international applications, and programs will continue to be able to offer admission to international graduate program applicants. We encourage you to explore our programs using the Degree Explorer to find the right fit for you.

Stay Updated

We understand that this is a stressful time for our international graduate program applicants.

We will continue to communicate with you and provide support as we learn more about the PAL process and any other immigration policy changes.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this process together. 

Please check this website regularly for the most up-to-date information.

Updated February 6, 2025.