The University of Waterloo has launched a serious replace relating to the study allow application course of for worldwide college students planning to enroll in 2026. These updates, which got here into impact following Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) January 30, 2025 coverage replace, introduce new eligibility circumstances, necessary attestation letters, and deposit necessities for potential college students.
International college students aiming to study on the University of Waterloo should now adjust to the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement, which has grow to be a necessary doc to provoke a study allow application.
New Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) – (NEW Requirement)
Who Needs a PAL?
If you’re a global scholar who has obtained an supply of admission from the University of Waterloo, you will need to first full a quiz to find out whether or not a PAL is required. PALs are issued by the Government of Ontario and function official affirmation that the province helps your enrollment.
Most undergraduate, graduate, and English language pathway college students will want a PAL, with few exceptions listed on the IRCC web site (Ref). Transfer college students, incoming grasp’s, and PhD college students should additionally receive a PAL earlier than making use of for a study allow.
Who is Exempt from the PAL Requirement?
Students exempt from requiring a PAL embrace:
- Current University of Waterloo graduate college students persevering with their research inside the establishment.
- International college students making use of for a study allow extension for the identical program and college.
- Participants within the International Visiting Graduate Students (IVGS) program or college students on worldwide trade applications.
How to Get Your PAL and Study Permit for Canada in 2025?
1# Take the PAL Eligibility Quiz
After receiving your Offer of Admission, college students should full a PAL eligibility quiz out there through Waterloo’s Quest system https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/international-students/visas#quiz.
2# Accept Your Offer and Pay the Deposit
If a PAL is required, college students should settle for the supply and submit a tuition deposit earlier than accessing the PAL. Deposit quantities fluctuate:
- Undergraduate college students: $2,500
- Master’s coursework & Graduate Diploma (GDip) college students: $1,000
Note: Deposits are non-refundable, besides in instances the place the University of Waterloo revokes the supply or IRCC rejects the study allow application (documentation required).
3# Receive Your PAL
Once the deposit is processed, the PAL will probably be issued by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and made out there for obtain through Quest.
Processing Time: Expect to obtain your PAL inside 2 to 4 enterprise days (might take longer if a deposit is required).
4# Apply for Your Study Permit for Canada
Using the PAL, college students can then submit their study allow application to the Government of Canada.
Warning: Applications and not using a PAL will probably be returned, resulting in delays in study allow processing and potential deferred admission.
Important Updates for Graduate Students (2025 Applications)
Masters & PhD Applicants: What You Need to Know
International graduate college students should meet the PAL requirement earlier than making use of for their study allow. This contains these making use of for:
- Master’s coursework and analysis applications
- PhD applications
- Graduate Diploma (GDip) applications
New Deposit Rule for Master’s Coursework & GDip Students:
Graduate college students admitted to coursework-primarily based grasp’s or GDip applications should pay a $1,000 non-refundable deposit earlier than being issued a PAL.
Announcements
New Canada Study Visa Regulations Issued by University of Waterloo for International Students (2026 Intake) FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
