New Canada Study Visa Regulations Issued by University of Waterloo for International Students (2026 Intake)
The University of Waterloo has released a major update regarding the study permit application process for international students planning to enroll in 2026. These updates, which came into effect following Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) January 30, 2025 policy update, introduce new eligibility conditions, mandatory attestation letters, and deposit requirements for prospective students.
International students aiming to study at the University of Waterloo must now comply with the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement, which has become a mandatory document to initiate a study permit application.
New Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) – (NEW Requirement)
Who Needs a PAL?
If you’re an international student who has received an offer of admission from the University of Waterloo, you must first complete a quiz to determine whether a PAL is required. PALs are issued by the Government of Ontario and serve as official confirmation that the province supports your enrollment.
Most undergraduate, graduate, and English language pathway students will need a PAL, with few exceptions listed on the IRCC website (Ref). Transfer students, incoming master’s, and PhD students must also obtain a PAL before applying for a study permit.
Who is Exempt from the PAL Requirement?
Students exempt from requiring a PAL include:
- Current University of Waterloo graduate students continuing their studies within the institution.
- International students applying for a study permit extension for the same program and university.
- Participants in the International Visiting Graduate Students (IVGS) program or students on international exchange programs.
How to Get Your PAL and Study Permit for Canada in 2025?
1# Take the PAL Eligibility Quiz
After receiving your Offer of Admission, students must complete a PAL eligibility quiz available via 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, students must accept the offer and submit a tuition deposit before accessing the PAL. Deposit amounts vary:
- Undergraduate students: $2,500
- Master’s coursework & Graduate Diploma (GDip) students: $1,000
Note: Deposits are non-refundable, except in cases where the University of Waterloo revokes the offer or IRCC rejects the study permit application (documentation required).
3# Receive Your PAL
Once the deposit is processed, the PAL will be issued by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and made available for download via Quest.
Processing Time: Expect to receive your PAL within 2 to 4 business days (may take longer if a deposit is required).
4# Apply for Your Study Permit for Canada
Using the PAL, students can then submit their study permit application to the Government of Canada.
Warning: Applications without a PAL will be returned, leading to delays in study permit processing and possible deferred admission.
Important Updates for Graduate Students (2025 Applications)
Masters & PhD Applicants: What You Need to Know
International graduate students must meet the PAL requirement before applying for their study permit. This includes those applying for:
- Master’s coursework and research programs
- PhD programs
- Graduate Diploma (GDip) programs
New Deposit Rule for Master’s Coursework & GDip Students:
Graduate students admitted to coursework-based master’s or GDip programs must pay a $1,000 non-refundable deposit before being issued a PAL.
Announcements
- https://uwaterloo.ca/future-graduate-students/admissions/information-international-students/study-permit-requirements
- https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/international-students/visas.
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