As per the announced cap, most study permits are going to require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province where they intend to study.  A provincial attestation letter is required for eligible applications (education plans of more than 6 months) for all study permit applications received by IRCC after Jan 22, 2024.

For further information directly from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), please visit the links below.

•  Canada to stabilize growth and decrease number of new international student permits issued to approximately 360,000 for 2024 – Canada.ca (January 22, 2024)
• Additional information about International Student Program reforms (February 5, 2024)

Study plans six (6) months and under will NOT require a PAL and students with an education plan of 6 months or less should apply for a TRV (temporary resident visa) or an ETA (Electronic Travel Visa).  McKenzie College WILL NOT request a PAL for education plans 6 months or less.

If you have sent your study permit application into IRCC after Jan 22, 2024, your application will not be approved without a PAL and it should be returned.

Our NEW application process is as follows:

Three parties are involved in the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

1. Applicant – Person who had applied to McKenzie College 
2. McKenzie College – Will apply for the PAL on behalf of the applicant
3. GNB – Government of New Brunswick; issues Attestation Letter

STEP 1:  APPLICATION

• Complete application requirements
• Application Fee
• Tuition Payment
• English Proficiency

STEP 2:  CONFIRM YOUR ADDRESS

• Applicant will receive an email to confirm your address.  Your address on your PAL and your Study Permit application MUST match. McKenzie College will be sharing information with the Province of New Brunswick, in addition to your passport number, to confirm your identity and verify eligibility for a PAL. 
• The address included on your PAL must match the address you will submit in your study permit application to IRCC

STEP 3: CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN ATTESTATION LETTER PROGRAM

• Applicant will receive a form to confirm consent to participate in the attestation letter program.  This form must be returned to McKenzie College before we can process your provincial attestation letter.

STEP 4:  PAL APPLICATION SENT TO GNB

• McKenzie College will send your PAL application to GNB on your behalf.  The information required by the GNB includes Passport number, name, address, date of birth, and phone number.

STEP 5:  GNB DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY OF PAL APPLICATION

• GNB will use your passport number as your unique identifier.
• An applicant is eligible for 1 PAL from the Province of New Brunswick
• Decisions from GNB can take up to 15 days

STEP 6: GNB WILL COMMUNICATE RESULTS TO MCKENZIE COLLEGE

• GNB will send the PAL to McKenzie College if the applicant is eligible.
• GNB will communicate with McKenzie College if the applicant is denied.

STEP 7: MCKENZIE WILL COMMUNICATE GNB DECISION TO APPLICANTS

• If the applicant is not eligible for a PAL, they will be notified and their application will be canceled and they will be withdrawn from their program.
• If the applicant is eligible for a PAL, they will be sent their education plan, PAL, and Letter of Acceptance. 
• PALS HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE! Provincial attestation letters will be valid for an 8-week period before they expire. This means that applicants will have 8 weeks from the date their PAL is issued to apply to IRCC for their study permit, or the PAL will expire and cannot be used for a study permit application.
• APPLY FOR YOUR STUDY PERMIT! Submit proof that you have applied for your study permit by sending a copy of the Acknowledgement of Receipt letter from IRCC immediately after submission by emailing admissions@mckenzie.edu

Please ensure McKenzie College has the most up-to-date information regarding your study permit application. If you have not yet notified McKenzie of any developments in your study permit application (submitting an application or receiving a final decision) please do so by emailing admissions@mckenzie.edu