POLICIES & GUIDELINES
Effective April 1, 2024
Policy Authority: University Registrar
Policy Steward: Office of the Registrar
Provincial Attestation Letter Policy
Scope
The following policy provides information to support the operations of enrolment planning.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide information about the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) process at Cape Breton University. A PAL is required as part of an applicant’s study permit application.
This policy applies to undergraduate students that are planning to study longer than six months at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Students studying in master’s and doctoral programs, as well as visiting and exchange students, are exempt.
Definitions
Provincial Attestation Letter: A letter that confirms an international student has a space under the provincial allocation within the national cap.
Designated Learning Institute: A school that has been approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.
Request a Provincial Attestation Letter Allotment
The Government of Canada has set limits on the number of study permits that will be issued in 2024, with provinces and territories being allocated a specific number of Provincial Attestation Letters. A cap of 606,250 study permit applications has been set and will be managed through the Provincial Attestation Letter process. For additional information on these changes, visit the Government of Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website at: canada.ca/immigration-refugees-citizenship.
Nova Scotia has been allotted 12,900 and Cape Breton University has received 5086 Nova Scotia PALs. A Nova Scotia PAL is required when applying for a study permit under a Nova Scotia designated learning institute (DLI) and can only be requested from the Province by a Nova Scotia DLI on behalf of an applicant. While this is a requirement of an applicant’s study permit application, a PAL does not guarantee the applicant will receive a study permit. A Nova Scotia PAL expires 10 weeks after it has been issued to the applicant.
More information about the Nova Scotia PAL allocation can be found here.
Requesting a Provincial Attestation Letter at Cape Breton University
An applicant shall be considered for a PAL through Cape Breton University after they have accepted their offer of admission and paid the required non-refundable tuition deposit. Once the tuition deposit is received, the applicant will be considered for a PAL.
PAL criteria at Cape Breton University is based on CBU’s Strategic Enrolment Management Plan goals and its commitment to diversification. PALs are limited and therefore cannot be guaranteed. If the international application is open for a country, then PALs are available; however, country caps may be reached before an offer is accepted and the tuition deposit is received.
If it is determined that an applicant is deemed ineligible for a PAL or a country cap is reached and the deposit is received on behalf of the applicant, the full tuition deposit will be refunded to the applicant as per the Financial Refund Policy.
Process Breakdown
- Applicant is accepted to Cape Breton University
- Applicant pays tuition deposit and confirms seat
- CBU reviews the applicant’s eligibility
- CBU requests a PAL on behalf of the applicant
- If approved, the PAL is uploaded to the applicant’s Future Student Account (Application Portal)
Falsified Documents
If evidence of misrepresentation, fraudulent or falsified documentation is found, the penalty is severe. Cape Breton University reserves the right to revoke any offer of admission and/or financial support. Cape Breton University may also disclose evidence of any misrepresentation or fraudulent or falsified documentation to all Canadian universities, to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and to law enforcement personnel where appropriate.
Cape Breton University Academic Calendar
Sharing of Information
As per the PAL agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia, an applicant must provide consent to Cape Breton University authorizing Cape Breton University to request a PAL on their behalf, and authorizing the collection, use and disclosure of the international student applicant’s personal information by the Province.
Cape Breton University will provide the Province of Nova Scotia with the following information about each international applicant eligible for a PAL:
- Family/Given Names
- Date of Birth
- Current Residences/Addresses
- Email Address
- Study Program, Level of Study, Student Number, Program Name and Program Start Date
- Confirmation Student has accepted the Letter of Offer (i.e. paid a deposit)
- Confirmation the student has provided consent to share information with the Province of Nova Scotia.
Visiting and Exchange Students
Visiting or exchange students studying at a DLI do not require a provincial attestation letter. Visiting or exchange students do not need to make a tuition deposit to Cape Breton University.
Additional information about International Student Program reforms – Canada.ca
Policy Steward:
- University Registrar and Director of Admissions
- Associate Vice-President, Enrolment Management & Student Experience
Relevant Legislation:
Please note, students are responsible to follow academic and financial policies
and regulations in our CBU Academic Calendar and on our Financial Deadlines, Policies and
Regulations page. Upon registration, students agree to be, and shall be, bound by the regulations and policies of Cape Breton University as published in the CBU Academic Calendar or otherwise enacted by the University.
Cape Breton University reserves the right, without liability or penalty and without notice, to make changes to its policies and offered services and programs, including alteration of fees, cancellation of particular courses and changes to financial policies including the Refund Policy. Every student accepted for registration in Cape Breton University shall be deemed to have agreed to any such changes, whether made before or after said acceptance. Please see the Cape Breton University Academic Calendar
