Study permit requirement updates for international students
The Government of Canada has recently changed requirements for studying in Canada. International students are valued and important members of the Mount Royal community, and we are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our students as they arise.
Based on what we know so far, we have prepared the following FAQs. More information will be added as it becomes available.
Maintaining status in Canada is the responsibility of the study permit holder. Please check the IRCC website for updated information on immigration procedures.
On this page:
Provincial attestation letter (PAL)
Post-graduate work permits (PGWP)
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
If you plan to study in Canada, you need a study permit from the Government of Canada. Applications are made through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
In January 2024, IRCC announced new rules for the study permit application process. Most international students who will study at MRU must include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) issued by the Province of Alberta in their study permit application. IRCC will return any study permit application submitted without a valid PAL unprocessed.
Last updated: Dec. 3, 2024
PAL FAQ
What is a PAL?
A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) serves as proof that the student has been accounted for under a provincial or territorial allocation of study permits within the national cap.
Do I need a PAL?
Students who will study in bachelor’s degree, diploma and certificate programs, including post-bachelor’s certificate programs, at Mount Royal University need a PAL unless they meet one of the PAL exemptions.
When and how will I receive my PAL?
MRU will request the PAL from the Province of Alberta for you after you accept an offer of admission to MRU by paying your non-refundable tuition deposit. Once your PAL is available, we will notify you by email to let you know how to access your PAL and Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for your study permit application.
Do I need a new PAL if I defer my admission to the next intake or change my program?
PALs have an expiry date, so check the expiry date of your PAL. Your PAL is not tied to a specific program or intake, and you may use it to apply for your study permit until it expires, even if you defer to a later semester or change your program.
I have been issued a PAL from another province and/or Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Can I use it to apply for my study permit with MRU’s Letter of Acceptance (LOA)?
You must apply for your study permit with a PAL issued by the province of Alberta in order to study at MRU.
Do I need a valid PAL at the time of entry to Canada?
Your PAL only needs to be valid when IRCC receives it with your study permit application.
Am I guaranteed a study permit if I have a PAL?
A PAL does not guarantee a study permit will be approved. The PAL only confirms that you have a space to study in the province of Alberta. To receive a study permit, you must fulfill all required criteria.
I have started or completed a program at MRU and want to transfer to another designated learning institution (DLI). What do I need to do?
You are required to apply for and be approved for a new study permit before you start studying at a new DLI. Find the right process based on your situation.
Who can I contact with further questions about the PAL process?
Please contact us at immigration@mtroyal.ca
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) eligibility requirements for students who apply for a PGWP after Nov. 1, 2024. The following two requirements have been added to the existing PGWP eligibility requirements.
- Language requirements: All PGWP applicants must provide proof of language ability to meet the PGWP language requirements.
- Field of study requirement: PGWP applicants who graduate with a credential other than a bachelor's degree, master's degree or doctoral degree must graduate from a program linked to one of five fields of study: agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, science/technology/engineering/mathematics (STEM), trade or transport.
Last updated: Nov. 18, 2024
PGWP FAQ
What is a PGWP?
A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a type of open work permit that allows international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) to stay in Canada to work for up to three years.
How can I find a CIP (Classification of Instructional Program) code for the programs offered in MRU to see if they meet the new PGWP field of study requirements?
If you are graduating with a bachelor’s degree from MRU, there are no field of study requirements when you apply for a PGWP. If you are graduating with a diploma or certificate, please refer to the information in the chart below:
Bachelor’s Degrees
There are no field of study requirements for MRU graduates with a bachelor’s degree to apply for PGWP.
Diplomas
Aviation *
49.0102
Funeral Service
12.0301
Massage Therapy
51.3501
Personal Fitness Trainer
31.0599
Social Work
44.0701
Certificates
Advanced Studies in Critical Care Nursing Post-diploma
51.3814
Athletic Therapy Post-bachelor
51.0913
Business Administration Post-bachelor in Accounting
52.0301
Business Administration Post-bachelor in Human Resources
52.1001
Business Administration Post-bachelor in Marketing
52.1401
Embalmer
12.0301
Funeral Director
12.0302
Spatial Data Science Post-bachelor
30.7099
*Bachelor of Aviation Management and Aviation Diploma - These two programs have a different set of eligibility requirements. Check the IRCC website for details.
I am currently studying at MRU with a valid study permit. How does the Sept. 18, 2024 IRCC announcement impact me?
The Sept. 18 announcement may impact international students in different ways depending on their situation and study plan in Canada. Support from certified immigration advisors is available. Please contact immigration@mtroyal.ca for more information.
Do I need to write a language test for my PGWP application?
You are required to submit proof of English or French language proficiency if you apply for a PGWP after Nov. 1, 2024. Your test results must be less than two years old when you submit your PGWP application. Check the approved language tests and scores for PGWP.
Who can I contact with further questions about the PGWP process?
Please contact us at immigration@mtroyal.ca
The immigration information provided on this page has been carefully reviewed and approved by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and/or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in alignment with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and its associated regulations. Please note, however, that this content is intended for general guidance and is not a legal document. Information may be subject to change without prior notice. For the latest updates, always consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).