Short answer: Since 1 January 2026, students applying for a Canadian study permit for a master's or doctoral programme at a public designated learning institution (DLI) do not need a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL). Undergraduate, diploma and most other students still need one. Also, if you apply on or after 1 September 2026, a single student must show CAD 23,448 for living expenses (outside Quebec), on top of tuition and travel.

Last checked: 20 October 2026, against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pages on canada.ca. Rules can change, so always confirm on canada.ca before you apply.

Who does not need a PAL in 2026?

  • Master's degree students at a public DLI (applications from 1 January 2026).
  • Doctoral (PhD) students at a public DLI.
  • Primary and secondary school students, and a few other exempt groups listed by IRCC.

Who still needs a PAL?

  • Bachelor's degree students.
  • College diploma, advanced diploma and postgraduate certificate students.
  • Master's students at a private institution.

In most provinces you get the PAL from your college or university after you accept the offer and pay a tuition deposit.

How much money do you need for a Canada study permit?

  • Applying on or after 1 September 2026: CAD 23,448 for a single applicant (outside Quebec), plus first-year tuition and travel.
  • Applied between 1 January 2025 and 31 August 2026: the earlier amount of CAD 22,895 applied.
  • Higher amounts apply if family members come with you. Quebec has its own amounts.
  • Many Indian students show funds through a GIC plus bank statements or an education loan.

Other Canada rules to know in 2026

  • Work during studies: up to 24 hours a week off campus during academic sessions.
  • Spouse open work permit: since 21 January 2025, generally limited to spouses of master's students in programmes of 16 months or longer, doctoral students and certain professional programmes.
  • PGWP language test: university graduates need CLB 7 and college graduates need CLB 5 in English or French.

What this means for students from India

If you already have a bachelor's degree and want a master's at a public university, the PAL exemption removes one step and can make your file faster to prepare. If you are going for a diploma or postgraduate certificate, plan for the PAL, the higher funds amount and the PGWP language and field-of-study rules from the start.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a PAL for a master's in Canada in 2026?

Not if it is a master's degree at a public DLI and you apply on or after 1 January 2026. You still need a PAL for a master's at a private institution.

How much is the GIC or proof of funds for Canada now?

For applications from 1 September 2026, IRCC requires CAD 23,448 for a single student's living expenses outside Quebec, plus tuition and travel.

How many hours can I work in Canada as a student?

Up to 24 hours a week off campus during classes, and full time during scheduled breaks.

Official sources

Talk to a counsellor

Win Your Visa is a Punjab Government licensed consultancy (Licence No. 908) with offices in Jagraon and Ludhiana. We help students from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and across India plan Canada admissions, funds and study permit files. See our Study in Canada page or call +91 76578 91191 to book a free counselling session.