Update — September 2026: IRCC changed the PAL rules on January 1, 2026. Master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt from the PAL requirement again (they had needed one from November 2024). For the current rules, see our guide: Who Needs a PAL for Canada in 2026? Exemptions Explained.

Manitoba’s Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for study permits is a new requirement implemented in January 2024. Here’s how to apply for it:

You cannot apply directly for the PAL yourself. Applications are handled by your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Manitoba.

Eligibility:

• This requirement applies to most undergraduate students applying for a study permit.
• Exceptions include:
  • Students pursuing primary and secondary education.
  • Students applying for Master’s or PhD programs.

Process:

1. Apply to a DLI: Choose a DLI program you wish to attend and submit your application.
2. Confirmation and Deposit: If accepted, the DLI will notify you and may require a non-refundable tuition deposit (around $2000 CAD ±) before proceeding with the PAL application on your behalf.
3. DLI Submits PAL Application: Once you confirm your acceptance and pay the deposit (if applicable), the DLI will submit the PAL application to the Manitoba provincial government.
4. Receive PAL: The DLI will inform you once your PAL is issued. Processing times may vary.

Resources:

• Check the Immigration information page of your chosen DLI in Manitoba. Many universities have updated their websites with details on the PAL process specific to their institution. For instance, the University of Manitoba website.
• IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) may update their website with more information from each province: 

Important Notes:

• The PAL system for Manitoba became operational on March 4, 2024.
• Don’t submit a study permit application until you receive your PAL from the DLI. Applications without a PAL will likely be rejected.

The University of Manitoba students need to pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $2000, which requires PAL. According to them 

Effective March 4, 2024, the process for obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for Manitoba is now in place. Suppose you are a student who requires a PAL for your study permit application. In that case, the University of Manitoba (UM) will require a non-refundable tuition deposit of $2000 CAD, which can only be paid using a credit card. This deposit must be paid within 10 business days of a decision being made on your application. 

DLIs in Manitoba will provide PALs to international students. These PALs will be similar to Alberta’s system. International students will need to pay a deposit to their DLI before the school can apply for the PAL on their behalf.

For more details of your PAL letter you should contact your DLI for further details about their requirements for PAL (in case they also need advance tuition deposit like UM). 

Universities in Manitoba Province with DLI

• Booth University College
• Brandon University
• Canadian Mennonite University
• Providence University College
• University College of the North
• Université de Saint-Boniface
• University of Manitoba
• University of Winnipeg

Colleges in Manitoba with DLI

• Assiniboine Community College
• École Technique et Professionnelle
• International College of Manitoba
• Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
• Red River College Polytech

PAL is the new ‘normal’ requirement for a Canadian study permit. The additional requirements from the federal government make the application process a bit longer than usual, but this has been placed to control the immigration number. 

Make sure you contact your Designated learning institutions to learn their policy on applying PAL. As the PAL for the province is not open directly to students, educational institutions will be responsible for PAL applications. Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and now Manitoba have published their PAL application process systems, but the largest Ontario province has yet to publish its PAL processing requirements. 

International students in this province have been increasing significantly over the past few years. The province’s economic growth has risen with time, but plenty of student housing is required to cover the demand. The University of Manitoba is one of the most popular and top-ranked universities in the province, hosting the highest number of international students in that region. UM also has a pathway provider, the International College of Manitoba (ICM), operated by Navitas – a global education provider. ICM is a pathway degree to the UM.