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The cap-year letter most students need, who is exempt, and what exempt students must show instead
Last updated Oct 27, 2026
Educational only — not legal advice.
A provincial or territorial attestation letter confirming the student has a place under the study permit cap, obtained through the school (for Quebec, a CAQ with its attestation). Most students need one; exempt students show proof of the exemption instead.
Canada limits the number of study permit applications each year and divides the allocation among provinces and territories. A PAL or TAL is the letter confirming you have a place under that cap. It is provided through the school, usually after you accept the offer and pay some or all of the tuition. Quebec issues a CAQ instead, which must carry the attestation that you have a place in Quebec's share or are exempt from it.
The letter is tied to the school. A 2026 letter is valid until December 31, 2026 unless it shows an earlier expiry, it must be valid on the day the application is submitted (not when classes start), and a letter issued in a previous cap year cannot be used. A new PAL/TAL is needed after changing schools, after an approval or refusal, or once the letter has expired.
No PAL/TAL is needed for: preschool, primary, or secondary school (up to grade 12); a degree-granting master's or doctoral programme at a public DLI, starting January 1, 2026; a school in the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot with a letter of acceptance identifying you as a pilot applicant; a federally designated military college; a Quebec vocational programme leading to a DVS, AVS, or STC; an exchange student paying no tuition to the DLI; a Global Affairs Canada scholarship; and several in-Canada situations such as extending at the same school and level. An exempt applicant must provide proof of the exception with the application. Most exempt students who want to study in Quebec still need a CAQ.
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Typical uploads: PAL or TAL for the current cap year naming the same school; a Quebec CAQ with the attestation line; for an exempt applicant, the letter of acceptance showing a qualifying programme, or other proof of the exemption.