Canada’s Provincial Attestation Letter
August 24, 2024
Want to study in Canada ? What do know about PAL?As of 2024, some international students looking to study in Canada will need a Provincial
About Canada
Canada has become a booming hub for international students whose dreams include remaining in the country in which they complete their studies. No longer an overlooked global destination to earn a degree, Canada also offers a direct path to permanent citizenship – an option many international students seek. Canada has ranked as one of the top ten places to live in the world for over twenty years and boasts an education system ranked among the best.
Canada is an increasingly popular option for students who seek and require a less expensive alternative to studying internationally than they might find in the US. Canadian universities are now providing equally prestigious degrees as those in the US, often at a more affordable cost.
Canadians place a great amount of importance on learning, and standards in education in Canada are uniformly high. There are almost 100 universities in Canada, five of which—the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, Université de Montréal, and University of Alberta—are ranked among the top 100 in the world.
Canadian universities and colleges consistently place high on international rankings. Many universities are ranked in the top 100 by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings and Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities. Seventeen Canadian universities are ranked in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2022.
Canadian degrees and diplomas are widely recognized as comparable to those from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Canada also attracts top international faculty because of its investment in cutting-edge research in areas such as medical science, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and artificial intelligence.
A Canadian education is one of the most cost-effective. The tuition fees and overall costs of living are generally lower in Canada than in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The average undergraduate tuition for Canadian universities is approximately $34,000 CAD per year.
Canada has ranked #1 in the Best Countries Ranking for Quality of Life for six years in a row (as of 2021). It is also among the top 15 countries on the UN’s 2018 Human Development Index, which assesses three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to education, and a satisfactory standard of living.
Surveys and research show that Canadians are generally happier and more satisfied with their lives than others around the world. According to the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Canada has a high level of satisfaction globally, faring well above the USA, the UK, Germany, France and Australia.
Safety is an important factor for both students and parents who are considering international education destinations. Canada is among one of the safest countries in the world, with approximately 78% of Canadian residents feeling safe walking at night. The 2021 Global Peace Index from the Institute for Economics and Peace also ranks Canada as one of the ten most peaceful countries globally.
Canada is a welcoming country that embraces diversity and celebrates multiculturalism. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that “Diversity is Canada’s strength,” and Canadians’ “different backgrounds… and different stories are all part of what makes our communities and our country strong.”
Immigrants are the backbone of growth in Canada. A quarter of the Canadian population is either foreign-born or were born to immigrant parents. The ten largest visible minority groups in Canada are: South Asians, Chinese, Africans, Caribbeans, Filipinos, Latin Americans, Arabs, Southeast Asians, West Asians, and Koreans.
The 2016 census showed that more than ten religions are practiced and over 200 languages are spoken in Canada. Canadians celebrate events and festivals from all over the world, such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, Caribana, Eid, and St. Patrick’s Day. Canada’s thriving multicultural society makes it a perfect home-away-from-home for students from around the world.
Canada is among the wealthiest and most industrialized countries in the world. It has a highly-developed market economy, with the 10th largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by nominal, and the 16th largest GDP by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) globally.
The Canadian dollar is one of the most stable currencies globally. Canada’s natural resources have an estimated value of $33.2 trillion in 2019, and it is the world’s 10th largest exporter of petroleum and natural gas. Canada’s largest trading partner is the US.
Canada on a World Stage
Canada is currently a member of the G7, the G20, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization, and many other international organizations.
Canada is one of the least corrupt countries in the world and experiences a relatively low level of income disparity, with the average household’s disposable income being “well above” the OECD average.
Education and the Canadian Economy
Education is highly valued in Canada and the Canadian Government invests heavily in the Canadian education system. As a result, Canada has one of the highest rates of post-secondary education completion, at 62% as of 2018.
Canada hosted over 530,000 international students in 2020. The Canadian government rolled out a new International Education Strategy for 2019-2024 that aims to promote further growth and diversification in this sector.
International students contributed an estimated $21.6 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2018, and supported 170,000 jobs for Canadians nationwide.
The Canadian Government invests heavily in the Canadian education system and has one of the highest rates of post-secondary education completion (61%) amongst OECD member countries.
The oldest post-secondary institution in Canada is Université Laval, established in 1663. The oldest chartered university in Canada is the University of King’s College, first founded in Windsor, Nova Scotia, in 1789. The university still exists today in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Many of Canada’s most renowned universities were established soon after: Dalhousie University in 1820, McGill in 1821, Queen’s University in 1842, University of Toronto in 1850, and many other universities to follow. Western Canada’s universities began with the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The University of Alberta is Western Canada’s oldest university, established in 1908.
The Canadian post-secondary education system continues to flourish and grow with the demands of an increasingly globalized economy, adding new courses and programs to offer the most innovative education in each field.
Canada’s climate varies greatly across the country due to its size and different geographies.
Canadians experience a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions year-round. Travellers and students should be sure to bring clothing suitable for all four of Canada’s distinct seasons to ensure comfort throughout the year.
Winters can be harsh and cold in some regions, with temperatures ranging from -15°C to -30°C in Canada’s interior and prairie provinces. Canada’s west coastal regions experience relatively mild winters and see little snow in cities like Vancouver and Victoria. In the summertime, temperatures range from about 20°C to 30°C.
| Season | Time of Year | Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March to May | The weather starts to get warmer and days are typically very pleasant, while the evenings are cool. A light jacket is often needed during the early mornings and late evenings. Temperatures range from 0°C-15°C, depending on the region. |
|
Summer |
June to August |
The weather is usually warm to hot, with daytime temperatures between 20°C and 30°C or higher. Evenings are typically pleasantly warm. Shorts and t-shirts are recommended! |
|
Fall/Autumn |
September to November |
The weather starts to get colder and there is often a lot of rain. Light jackets, raincoats, and water resistant/proof boots are common during this season. Temperatures range from 0°C-15°C and sometimes lower, depending on the region. |
|
Winter |
December to February |
Winters can be very cold, with temperatures often staying below freezing all day long. Snowfall often accompanies the cold weather. Hats, mittens, scarves, boots, and thick winter jackets are recommended. Temperatures range from 5°C to -30°C and sometimes lower, depending on the region. |
The option to work while studying is one of the criteria for prospective international students deciding which country is the best fit for them. International students enrolled in a full-time post-secondary program at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms and full-time, or 30+ hours per week, during scheduled breaks, such as the summer holidays.
Most students don’t need a work permit to work while they study, whether their job is on-campus or off-campus. Conditions for working are listed on each student’s study permit. Canada’s work during study option is beneficial for international students who want to build their resume and gain more experience, save money for tuition, or make some extra cash to travel around the country.
Students who study abroad usually get temporary status in the country they’re studying in. That status often expires when their program ends, so they have to return home after graduation.
Canada has programs designed to help international students gain Canadian work experience after graduation, and if they wish, transition to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets students who have graduated from a 2+ year PGWP-eligible program stay and work in Canada for up to three years. Students can use this work experience to qualify for permanent residency in Canada.
Some Canadian provinces also have additional immigration programs that encourage international students to stay and work after graduation and accelerate their permanent residency process. For example, the Atlantic provinces have the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program and Nova Scotia has the Graduate to Opportunity program.
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We are trying our level best to come up with more opportunities in connecting with rest of universities.
List of Colleges in Canada
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