TRAVEL TO CANADA: VISA CONSIDERATIONS
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has changes to the International Student Program starting January 1, 2026, including new rules for Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs).
Graduate students (Master鈥檚 or PhD) at public institutions will be starting January 1, 2026. In addition, PhD students and their accompanying family members may also qualify for , if they apply within the same application. Please note that applications may still be subject to background checks, which could affect processing times.
For full details on PAL requirements and other updates, please review our 2026 PAL Requirement News Post.
If you plan to visit or transit through another country en route to Canada
You should check with that country鈥檚 Embassy/Consulate to find out which documents you and your accompanying family members will need to enter and/or transit through on your way to Canada. Make sure you apply well in advance!
Planning to transit through the United States?
You may require a visa to transit through the United States on your way to Canada. Before you book your flight to Canada, you should ensure that you have the proper documents. Check with the United States Embassy or Consulate closest to you. You can also find information about U.S. visa requirements on the .