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The New Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Requirements

by Daniel Peimbert | Jan 23, 2025 | Immigration, News, Study, Temporary Residence

If your work permit is approaching its expiry date while your Permanent Residence (PR) application sits in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) processing queue, you are likely feeling the pressure. Historically, applying for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) or a work permit extension required one crucial document: an official Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) proving that IRCC passed your PR file through its initial Section 10 (R10) completeness check.
Without an AOR, thousands of applicants faced the immediate risk of losing their legal authorization to work in Canada.
To address these administrative processing delays, IRCC issued Operational Bulletin 699 (OB 699). Under this temporary measure, eligible Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants physically present in Canada can extend their work authorization using alternative proof of PR submission—without waiting for an AOR.

 

Policy Snapshot: Operational Bulletin 699

Feature Key Details
Official Reference IRCC Operational Bulletin 699
Effective Period In effect from June 9, 2026 through December 31, 2026 (unless revoked earlier by IRCC)
Location Requirement Applicant must be physically present in Canada
Eligible PR Streams In-Canada Base (non-Express Entry) PNP and Express Entry-aligned PNP streams
Accepted Alternative Proof Automated PR Portal Submission Confirmation Email + Official IRCC Fee Receipt

Which Work Permits Are Covered Under This Policy?

This temporary measure allows eligible in-Canada applicants to apply for three specific work permit streams without providing an AOR:
  • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP / Category A75): Enables eligible PNP nominees to maintain open work authorization for any employer while IRCC processes their PR application.
  • Employer-Specific PNP Work Permit (Category T13): Allows nominees to renew their closed work permit with their nominating employer, even if their provincial nomination certificate has expired due to IRCC processing backlogs.
  • Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP): Permits the accompanying spouse or common-law partner of the principal PNP applicant to extend or obtain an open work permit concurrently.

Required Alternative Documentation

Because you cannot provide a formal AOR letter, you must upload alternative evidence proving your PR application is submitted and pending in the IRCC portal:
PR Portal Submission Confirmation: A copy of the automated email receipt generated immediately upon submitting your electronic PR application through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal.
Official IRCC Proof of Payment: The official fee receipt confirming that all applicable PR processing fees and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) have been paid in full.
Mandatory IRCC Requirement: If IRCC has already issued your official AOR letter prior to submitting your work permit extension, you must submit the actual AOR letter. The alternative proof mechanism is strictly reserved for applicants whose AOR has not yet been generated.

Critical Action Steps: Safeguarding Your Status

1. Apply BEFORE Your Current Work Permit Expires

Timing is paramount under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). Submitting your work permit application before your existing permit expires automatically grants you maintained status (formerly referred to as implied status). This status legally authorizes you to continue working in Canada under your existing conditions while IRCC renders a decision.

 

2. Update Your Application via IRCC Webform

When IRCC completes the R10 completeness check and issues your formal AOR letter, you must immediately upload a copy of that letter to your pending work permit file via the IRCC Webform to complete the application record.

 

3. Verify Complete PR Documentation

Relying on alternative proof allows you to file the work permit application, but it does not guarantee PR completeness. If IRCC later determines during the R10 check that your PR application is incomplete, the PR file will be rejected and returned. Consequently, the underlying foundation for your work permit extension will be invalidated, leading to a refusal.

 

Common Pitfalls That Lead to Refusal or Status Loss

  • Failing to File Before Expiry: Maintained status only applies if IRCC receives your work permit application prior to midnight UTC on the date your current permit expires. Submitting even one day late results in loss of legal status and requires a restoration application.
  • Applying from Outside Canada: Operational Bulletin 699 applies strictly to candidates physically present inside Canada. Applicants outside Canada must follow standard entry and work permit processing rules.
  • Omitting the Official Fee Receipt: Submitting the portal email confirmation without the official IRCC receipt showing full payment of processing fees will result in the immediate rejection of your work permit application.
  • Submitting Alternative Proof When an AOR Exists: If an AOR was already issued in your portal or sent via email, attempting to use alternative submission proof instead of the formal letter violates policy guidelines.

Retain Professional Advisory for Your Application

Navigating temporary public policies, maintaining legal work authorization, and meeting strict regulatory deadlines require precise execution. A single missing document or miscalculated timeline can jeopardize your ability to remain and work legally in Canada.
Whether you require a comprehensive review of your work permit application under Operational Bulletin 699, verification of your PR portal documents, or guidance on maintaining your status, our team is available to assist.

 

👉 Schedule a Consultation with an RCIC Today or contact our office to review your case and ensure your continuous authorization to work in Canada.

Canada has long been a top destination for international students seeking world-class education and diverse cultural experiences.

To enhance the management of international student applications, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement.

This new measure aims to ensure sustainable growth in the number of international students across provinces and territories.

Here’s what you need to know about the PAL and how it affects your study permit application process.

What is the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
The PAL is an official document issued by the province or territory where an international student intends to study. It confirms that the applicant has been allocated a place within that region’s cap on study permit applications.

This initiative helps provinces and territories balance international student intake with their infrastructure and resources.

Who Needs a PAL?
Most applicants for post-secondary study permits are required to submit a PAL.

This includes students applying for prerequisite programs, such as language courses.

However, some applicants are exempt, including:

  • Students attending preschool, primary, or secondary schools (up to grade 12).
  • Students under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP).
  • Exchange students who do not pay tuition fees to Canadian institutions.
  • Quebec vocational students in eligible programs.
  • Recipients of scholarships from Global Affairs Canada.
  • Protected persons and certain in-Canada applicants.

Always verify whether you fall into an exempt category before applying.

How to Obtain a PAL
Applicants should contact their designated learning institution (DLI) to initiate the process. DLIs will guide applicants in acquiring the PAL from the appropriate provincial or territorial authorities.

For students applying to institutions in Quebec, the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) serves as the PAL, provided it includes specific wording about the allocation cap.

Validity of the PAL
It’s crucial to ensure your PAL is valid at the time of your study permit application. The validity period depends on the date of issuance:

  • PALs issued between January 22, 2024, and January 21, 2025, are valid for applications submitted during this timeframe.
  • PALs issued for the next cap year (beginning January 22, 2025) will remain valid until December 31, 2025.

Older PALs issued in previous cap years will not be accepted.

Key Considerations for Study Permit Applicants
The PAL requirement adds a layer of preparation to the study permit application process. Ensure that you:

  1. Secure your PAL early by working closely with your institution.
  2. Verify that all details in your PAL align with your study permit application.
  3. Submit your application within the PAL’s validity period to avoid processing delays.

Conclusion
The introduction of the PAL is a step toward a more balanced and sustainable approach to welcoming international students to Canada. By understanding and adhering to this new requirement, students can ensure a smoother application process and contribute to the equitable growth of Canada’s education system.

For detailed information and updates, visit the IRCC website here.

Start your journey to studying in Canada today, book your consultation!

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