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International Student Announcements

April 2, 2024: Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Process

Supporting Your Journey to the University of Guelph-Humber

As of January 22, 2024, the Government of Canada announced changes to study permit application requirements for new international students applying for undergraduate degrees and English language pathway programs.

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 Get 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 $1,000 CAD Tuition Deposit: This deposit affirms your commitment to UofGH and will be applied to your fall 2024 tuition fees. It is not an additional fee. More information regarding payment methods and deadlines can be found on our Student Financial Services webpage.Once you have sent your deposit, you must save proof of payment via PDF to send to international@guelphhumber.ca.
  5. Upload documents to WebAdvisor: WebAdvisor is your tool for course selection, finances, and more. You will become more familiar with this as you prepare to join us this fall. Your login credentials and instructions to activate your account were provided shortly after submitting your application to the University of Guelph-Humber.
    - 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: scanned copy of your passport and confirmation of 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, UofGH will begin the process to issue a PAL. You will be notified by email once it’s 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 UofGH 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

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

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

Q1: Should I still apply to the University of Guelph-Humber if I haven’t already?

Yes! We continue to process applications and issue offers for fall 2024. We are confident that we will be able to provide PALs for all students who accept their offer.

Don’t forget: if you are currently enrolled in high school outside of Canada, apply by May 1, 2024, and meet minimum admission requirements for the programs to which you apply, you are guaranteed admission. We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible to be considered for entry to all programs. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis after this deadline. APPLY NOW

Q2. 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. Our campuses are not impacted by the discontinuation of post-graduate work permits for public-private partnerships.

Q3. 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.

Q4. 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.

Q5. 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.

Q6. 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 may also be considered for winter entry.

Q7. I have questions about applying to the University of Guelph-Humber. Who should I contact?

Questions can be sent to international@guelphhumber.ca.

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

Q1. Are you still processing admission applications during this time?

Yes! We continue to receive, process and review applications. Admission decisions are being made on an ongoing basis.

Q2. 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 WebAdvisor account 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, 2024.

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.

Q3. Should I expect any delays or changes in the admission process due to the recent cap on new study permits?

The recent announcement will not impact the University’s processing times.

Q4. I have questions about my application to the University of Guelph-Humber. Who should I contact?

Contact the admission team by emailing international@guelphhumber.ca.

I have 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. I applied for a new study permit before January 22, 2024, but have not received a response yet. Do I need a PAL?

If you submitted your completed study permit application before January 22, 2024, you were not required to include a PAL.

Q5. Do I need to pay a deposit to receive a PAL?

Yes, you must pay a $1,000 tuition deposit to receive a PAL. This deposit affirms your commitment to the University of Guelph-Humber and will be applied to your fall 2024 tuition fees. It is not an additional fee.

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

Q6. 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.

Q7. 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.

Q8. 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.

Q9. 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.

Your address will be sent to you by email once you have accepted your offer for you to confirm. The University of Guelph-Humber will be unable to issue a new PAL for address errors.

Q10. 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.

Q11. 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 may also be considered for winter entry. We also offer a refund policy for tuition and fees.

Q12. 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 Advisor 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.

Students with an Offer of Admission should monitor their email for additional updates and event invitations from the GPS team. Learn more and book an appointment on the Student Experience website.