Immigration | Why a college acceptance letter is not enough

Dear Miss Powell,

My daughter has been accepted to a college in Canada, and the school wants a large tuition deposit. We thought the study permit would follow easily. Now we are hearing about a cap and something called a provincial attestation letter. What should we check before we pay, and does the acceptance letter give her a real chance?

– R.T.

Dear R.T.,

Congratulations on your daughter’s acceptance. Admission is an important first step, but it does not guarantee a study permit. Her chances will depend on securing a place under the cap, demonstrating sufficient financial support and satisfying an immigration officer that she meets the requirements for a study permit.

What your daughter needs

Canada introduced a cap on study-permit applications in 2024. Under the current system, most college applicants need an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI) and a provincial attestation letter (PAL).

The PAL confirms that the province has allocated her a place within its limit. In Quebec, an attestation of issuance of a Quebec Acceptance Certificate generally serves this purpose.

Before paying the deposit

Some colleges require students to accept an offer and pay a tuition deposit before requesting a PAL. However, neither the payment nor the PAL guarantees a study permit.

Ask the college when it will request the PAL. Ask whether the deposit is refundable if the PAL is not issued or the study permit is refused. Ask which documents a refund requires and how long the process takes. Get the answers in writing.

Confirm that the college appears on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s list of designated learning institutions.

Can you afford the programme?

For applications submitted from 1 September 2026, a single student studying outside Quebec must show at least $23,448 for living expenses, in addition to first-year tuition and travel costs.

If you are financing your daughter’s education, provide bank statements, proof of income and other documents showing that sufficient funds are available and where the money came from. For programmes lasting more than one year, she must also explain how she will finance the remaining years.

Making her case to the officer

Your daughter should explain why she chose the programme, how it fits her educational or career goals, and why she wants to study in Canada. She must also satisfy the officer that she will leave Canada when required.

What happens after graduation?

If your daughter hopes to work in Canada after graduating, check whether her specific programme qualifies for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Not every programme qualifies, even if the college is a DLI. Confirm its eligibility before paying tuition or making other major commitments.

Protecting your investment

R.T., before paying the deposit, make sure you understand the college’s PAL process, the refund conditions and how much money you could lose if the study permit is refused. If the application is refused, she must address the officer’s concerns before reapplying, and she will generally need a new PAL. If you are uncertain, consult a Canadian immigration lawyer or licensed immigration consultant before you commit your money.

Deidre S. Powell, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M., MCIArb, is a lawyer, mediator and author in Canada, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Contact her via www.deidrepowell.com or WhatsApp 613-695-8777.