International PAL Information

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Process and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Supporting Your Journey to the University of Guelph-Humber

New international students applying for post-secondary study in Canada are required to receive a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to begin their study permit application. 

The University of Guelph-Humber has created a process for students to receive a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Instructions and frequently asked questions can be found below.

Please note: Students working with a third-party agent or representative are responsible for connecting with them to ensure all PAL communications have been received.

How to Receive Your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

The following guide provides step-by-step instructions for incoming international undergraduate students to receive a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).

  1. Accept your offer to the University of Guelph-Humber: You must apply to the University of Guelph-Humber and accept your offer before beginning the PAL process.
  2. Verify you require a PAL: Review the Government of Canada website to ensure you are required to submit a PAL with your study permit application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure you have all the required documents when applying for a study permit.
  3. Verify your address: The address provided for your PAL should be the address where you currently live. It is important that you also use this address on your study permit application. Addresses will be sent to applicants by email for confirmation once they have accepted their offer of admission.
  4. Send your $2,000 CAD Tuition Deposit: This deposit affirms your commitment to U of GH and will be applied to your fall 2025 tuition fees. It is not an additional fee. More information regarding payment methods and deadlines can be found on our Student Financial Services webpage. 
  5. Upload documents to WebAdvisor: Once you accept your offer of admission, you will receive access to WebAdvisor. WebAdvisor is a a tool used for course selection, fee payment, and more. 
    - Visit the WebAdvisor website and click ‘Access WebAdvisor’
    - From the side menu bar, go to ‘Applicants’ and ‘My Documents’
    - You're required to upload two documents: a scanned copy of your passport and confirmation of your $2,000 deposit being sent
    - Once the documents have been uploaded, the status on WebAdvisor will show as ‘received’. If you have any issues with document uploads, please email international@guelphhumber.ca
  6. Wait for next steps: Once your documents are received, U of GH will begin the process to issue a PAL. You will be notified by email once your PAL is ready for you to download from WebAdvisor.
  7. Apply for your study permit: Once you have received your PAL, you will have all the required documents from U of GH to complete your study permit application. We’re here with guidance and support throughout this process. Connect with the University of Guelph’s Global Pre-Arrival Support (GPS) team for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Choose the statement that best describes your point in the application process to find relevant FAQs:

Prospective Student: I have not yet applied to the University of Guelph-Humber

Q1. Is the University of Guelph-Humber a public or private institution? What does this mean?

The University of Guelph-Humber is partnered with the University of Guelph and is a public university, meaning it operates under government regulations and is accountable to the public. You can rest assured we provide a top-ranked, high-quality education experience.

The University of Guelph’s Designated Learning Institution Number is O19305391192, which covers the main campus, Ridgetown Campus, and the University of Guelph-Humber. All Bachelor's degrees offered by the University of Guelph-Humber continue to be PGWP eligible. For a full outline of PGWP eligibility criteria, please visit the Government of Canada website for current details. 

Q2. Are all UofGH applicants required to have a PAL to receive a study permit?

Your PAL requirement will depend on a variety of factors, including if you have an existing study permit or if you are a Canadian citizen.

Review the Government of Canada website to ensure you are required to submit a PAL with your study permit application. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the required documents when applying for a study permit.

Q3. Are there any scholarships or financial aid opportunities available for international students affected by the immigration caps? 

We continue to offer international entrance scholarships alongside additional scholarships for international applicants.

Visit our international student support page for additional information about awards and work study employment opportunities.

Q4. What happens if I apply to the University of Guelph-Humber and there are no PALs available? 

We are confident that all applicants who accept their offer of admission will receive a PAL, as required.

In the event that the University of Guelph-Humber exceeds its PAL cap, we have a tuition deposit refund policy.

PALs will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. You are encouraged to complete the process as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Q5. Can I defer my application or admission to a later semester if needed?

If you are unable to begin your studies in the fall, you can apply to defer your offer of admission for one year. Deferrals are usually considered for fall entry only; however, Bachelor of Business Administration applicants to winter entry may also be considered.

Q6. I have questions about applying to the University of Guelph-Humber. Who should I contact?

Questions can be sent to international@guelphhumber.ca

Applicant: I have applied to the University of Guelph-Humber and am waiting on an Offer of Admission

Q1. When can I expect to hear back from the University of Guelph-Humber?

Applications from students enrolled in high school outside of Canada are processed on a rolling basis. If you are awaiting a response, we encourage you to check your Admissions Portal for any outstanding required documents to be submitted.

If you are currently enrolled in high school within Canada, you can expect to receive admission decisions for all programs to which you applied by no later than May 29, 2025.

Transfer applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis as applications are completed (i.e., all required documents are received). To help expedite an admission decision, please ensure all required documents are submitted as soon as possible.

Q2. I have questions about my application to the University of Guelph-Humber. Who should I contact?

Contact the admissions team by emailing international@guelphhumber.ca

Student with an Offer of Admission: I have received an Offer of Admission to the University of Guelph-Humber

Q1. Can I apply for a study permit right now?

Once you’ve received a PAL, you will have all the required documents from the University of Guelph-Humber to complete your study permit application.

Verify that you require this document and connect with our Global Pre-Arrival Support (GPS) team if you have any questions.

Q2. How do I know if I require a PAL? 

The Government of Canada website provides a list of criteria for those who do not require a PAL. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the required documents when applying for a study permit.

Be sure to connect with our Global Pre-Arrival Support (GPS) team if you have any questions.

Q3. How can I get a PAL? 

Follow the steps above to request a PAL from the University of Guelph-Humber.

Q4. Do I need to pay a deposit to receive a PAL? 

Yes, you must pay a $2,000 tuition deposit to receive a PAL. This deposit affirms your commitment to the University of Guelph-Humber and will be applied to your fall 2025 tuition fees. It is not an additional fee.

More information regarding payment methods and deadlines can be found on our Student Financial Services webpage.

Q5. How do I access WebAdvisor to upload my documents? 

WebAdvisor is accessed using your University of Guelph-Humber email address. Your login credentials and instructions to activate your account were provided shortly after submitting your application to the University of Guelph-Humber.

If you are unable to locate your central login please email international@guelphhumber.ca

Q6. How long will it take to get my PAL? 

Once the University of Guelph-Humber has received a copy of your passport and proof of your deposit being sent, we will move as quickly as possible to issue your PAL.

PAL requests are submitted by the University of Guelph-Humber to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) for processing. You will be notified by email once it is ready for you to download from WebAdvisor.

Q7. Am I guaranteed a PAL if I need one? 

We are confident that all applicants who accept their offer and require a PAL will get one; however, quantities are limited.

You are encouraged to complete the process as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We will keep you updated if circumstances change.

Q8. What should I do if there's a discrepancy between the address on my PAL and my study permit application?

The address on your PAL must align with the address on your study permit letter from the University of Guelph-Humber and the application you submit to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Once you have accepted your offer of admission, your address on file will be sent to you so that you can confirm it. The University of Guelph-Humber will not be able to issue a new PAL for address errors.

Q9. Is there a deadline to request my PAL? 

The only deadline in the process is our international deposit deadline, however, PALs will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is your responsibility to complete the process as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Q10. Can I defer my application or admission to a later semester if needed?

If you are unable to begin your studies in the fall, you can apply to defer your offer of admission for one year. Deferrals are usually considered for fall entry only, however Bachelor of Business Administration winter entry applicants may also be considered. We also offer a refund policy for tuition and fees.

Q11. Are there any supports from the University of Guelph-Humber if I have questions about my study permit application? 

University of Guelph-Humber students can find additional guidance via the University of Guelph’s Global Pre-Arrival Support (GPS) team. Advisors are a central point of contact for new international students from the moment you receive an offer of admission through to your first semester.

The GPS Advisors can help you to navigate the university system; explain and clarify immigration and institutional policies; describe the overarching expectations of students; and facilitate connections with other campus or community supports, resources or services.

Learn more and book an appointment on the Student Experience website