[requester]

Record

Archived: June 2, 2025 2:45:19 PM From: Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (RCC Sent: [requester] To: [requester] Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration [RCC Subject: [requester] Importance: Normal Sensitivity: None Good day, Thank you for contacting the Immigration Representatives Mailbox Please note that this mailbox is intended for general guidance and does not provide responses to case-specific inquiries but have provided the following information as guidance. If you have case specific questions about a file, you are encouraged to submit the [RCC Web form. Please see our response to your question: Question Tam looking for clarification on the PAL exemption: “You've entered Canada and one of the following situations applies to you: You're applying for a study permit extension at the same DLI and level of study as your current study permit.” From the Canada [requester] defines level of study as:

© primary and secondary education,

* post-secondary education (including vocational and technical training, and undergraduate programs), and

* graduate education or above. (niveau d’études) My question is: If'a student completes a Masters program and is accepted to a PhD program at the same DLI, do they require a PAL for their study permit extension? Under IRCC's definition, Masters and PhD programs are the same level of studies and therefore should fall under the exemption. Can you please clarify if'a student in this situation would require a PAL or not. Response According to IRCC guidelines, the levels of study are classified into three main categories:

© Primary and secondary education

© Post-secondary education (including vocational and technical training, certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, and

undergraduate programs)

© Graduate education or above Since both Master's and PhD programs fall under the category of "graduate education or above," students who remain within the same level of study while changing programs at the same institution do not require a new provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) when applying for a study permit extension.

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