Canada Announces New Process For International Students Changing Schools in 2025

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a new approach for overseas students who want to change their Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

Students must apply for a fresh study permit extension before moving schools. This comes after the November 8 notification, which discontinued the old practice of notifying IRCC online. These improvements are part of broader measures to assure compliance, improve accountability, and resolve issues in Canada’s overseas education system.

The revised method lays more responsibility on students to comply with study permit conditions and on schools to submit accurate reporting.

Here’s a full summary of the new guidelines and what overseas students should know.

Important Changes for International Students 

As of November 8, 2024:

• Students must apply for a study permit extension prior to transferring to a different DLI.
• The new school must be on the DLI list, not the suspension list.
• Students must submit supporting documents, such as a letter of explanation for the move.

These steps are part of Canada’s attempts to protect the integrity of its international student program and prevent illegitimate study.

How Does the New DLI Transfer Process Work

Eligibility Check

Before making a transfer, students must ensure that:

• Their new institution is on the official DLI list.
• The new institution is not on the list of schools that are barred from accepting international students.

Students in co-op programs who transfer to a different university must also apply for a new co-op work authorization.

Submitting a Study Permit Extension Application

To extend their study permit, students must submit an application to the IRCC. The application must contain:

• A letter explaining why they are moving schools.
• Additional documents proving eligibility to commence studies at the new DLI while awaiting IRCC permission, where applicable.

If a study permit application is currently in progress, students can submit updated documentation using the IRCC web form.

Starting Studies at Your New DLI: Conditions to Meet.

Students can only start studying at the new DLI under the following conditions:

• They have stayed in Canada since getting their Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the new university.
• They continue to meet all of the requirements of their current study permit.
• Their prior DLI faced one of the following scenarios:
  • The school closed.
  • The program or course was discontinued.
  • The institution was placed under suspension.
  • The institution has lost its designated status.

If these conditions are not met, students must wait until IRCC approves their new study permit extension before moving.

Winter and Spring 2025 Transfers

Students accepted to a new DLI for the Winter or Spring 2025 semester may begin studying at the new institution while their study permit extension is being processed, as follows:

• Their study permit remains valid.
• The prior DLI’s name is not included on the study authorization.
• They comply with all existing research permission criteria.
• An application for a study permission extension was submitted.

Special Rules for Quebec Transfers

Students transferring to a DLI in Quebec must complete the following requirements:

• Obtain an attestation of issuance for the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
• Include the CAQ in their study permit extension application.

Students transferring between vocational training centers (VTCs) in Quebec do not have to apply for a new CAQ or study permit.

Implications of Non-compliance

Failure to follow the new process can have serious implications. If students change DLIs without requesting a new study permit extension:

• Their previous DLI will show them as not enrolled or registered.
• They risk breaking the terms of their study permission.
• Their study permit may be revoked or cancelled.
• They may be removed from Canada or denied future study or employment visas.

These actions demonstrate the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the foreign student system and ensuring transparency in reporting.

Further Changes to the International Student Program in 2024

The new DLI transfer process is only one of several modifications to Canada’s international student program this year. In response to mounting concerns about capacity, student support, and institutional responsibility, the following additional measures were implemented:

• Cap on International Student Permits: Regional study permit caps in Canada manage student inflow and reduce housing and infrastructure demand.
• Increased Financial Requirements: International students must now demonstrate more financial capacity to ensure that they can cover living expenses, tuition, and other charges while studying in Canada.
• Enhanced DLI Oversight: To keep their DLI designation, institutions must meet stronger criteria, such as demonstrating adequate student assistance and meeting quality education standards.
• Strengthened Compliance Checks: International students are subjected to regular audits and compliance checks to verify that they meet the terms of their study permits.
• Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) Updates: Changes to PGWP eligibility have been implemented, limiting post-graduate work permits to specified programs and institutions.

These measures demonstrate Canada’s commitment to balance the benefits of foreign education with the requirement for long-term growth and student success.

Why These Changes Matter

Canada has seen a large growth in international student enrollment, putting pressure on schools and the immigration system. The new procedure seeks to:

• Improve monitoring of DLIs and overseas students.
• Keep pupils from studying without the necessary authorization.
• Ensure that colleges deliver high-quality education and follow all applicable legislation.

By demanding a new study permit extension, Canada is correcting flaws in the existing system while also maintaining its status as a world-class educational destination.

Next Steps For International Students

If you are thinking about transferring to a new DLI, complete these steps:

• Confirm that the new institution is on the DLI list and not suspended.
• Before moving schools, apply for an extension of your study permission.
• Submit the relevant documentation, including a letter explaining your transfer.
• Confirm eligibility to start studies while awaiting approval, if applicable.
• Avoid starting studies at the new DLI until you meet all IRCC requirements.

By following these new regulations, students can effectively move to institutions without losing their study permit status.

Significant Shift for International Students

The recent revisions to Canada’s international student program represent a substantial shift in the way DLIs and study permits are regulated. The requirement for a study permit extension for DLI transfers demonstrates Canada’s commitment to transparency, compliance, and quality in overseas education. Students must stay informed and properly arrange their transfers to avoid unfavourable outcomes.

As Canada’s foreign student laws continue to evolve, all post-secondary international students will need to comply with the new DLI transfer process.

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