Canada recently implemented several rules about foreign students studying there. One of these rules is that before switching their educational institution, overseas students must apply for and be approved for a new study permit. The purpose of this step is to guarantee that students follow the correct processes while pursuing their education and to reinforce the integrity of the International Student Program (ISP). According to Canada’s immigration office, “We expect institutions to support our efforts to preserve the integrity of the International Student Program,” stated Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship.
Beginning November 8, 2024, students must be registered in the designated learning institution (DLI) specified on their study permit, per Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) official website. This implies that students are no longer able to modify DLIs by merely submitting an online account notification to the immigration office. They have to apply for a new study permission to alter their DLIs.
When does a student need to apply for a new study permit?
The following considerations should be made by students, per Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) official website:
- If a student’s present study permit is still valid, they do not need to apply for a new one when they transfer from elementary to secondary school.
- Changing DLIs at the primary or secondary levels: If the current permit is still valid, no new study permit is needed.
- Transitioning from secondary to post-secondary education: To enroll in a post-secondary institution, students must apply for a new study permit. Keep in mind that, regardless of the date on the permit, the research permission will expire 90 days after the conclusion of studies if secondary studies are finished early.
- Transitioning from post-secondary to secondary education: After enrolling in a post-secondary institution, a student must obtain a new study permit to attend a secondary school.
- At the post-secondary level, students can switch programs within the same DLI as long as they have their current study authorization.
- At the post-secondary level, students who wish to change their DLIs must apply for a new study permission.
How to change your school as a post-secondary student?
Beginning on November 8, 2024, students who wish to transfer to a different post-secondary institution must apply for a new study visa. Additionally, the new school they intend to attend needs to be a DLI. Students should confirm that the new school is on the DLI list and not the suspension list before deciding to transfer schools and submitting an application for a new study permit.
What happens if students change their schools without informing IRCC?
According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s official website, a student may be reported as not registered or enrolled to study by their prior school if they transfer schools without telling the authorities. The student will be deemed to have violated the terms of their study permit if this happens. They might be ordered to leave the country or have their status changed, or their study visa might be revoked or declared invalid. This can also make it impossible for the student to go back to Canada in the future.
In addition, international students’ off-campus work limit was raised by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) from 20 to 24 hours per week. The increased employment limit allows international students to increase their income and obtain meaningful job experience without sacrificing their main goal of learning.
