Immigration
New Regulation on Changing Schools for Post-secondary Study Permit Holders
This webpage will be updated as new information becomes available. Please continue to monitor and check this page for the most up to date information.
On November 15, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) new requirements for students . The previous process of completing the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) transfer via the IRCC secure account has ended. Students who transfer to a new DLI are now required to apply for, and obtain, a new study permit based on acceptance to their new DLI in order to change schools.
Inside Canada
If you are inside Canada and you hold a valid study permit, you can apply to extend your study permit before it expires. You must include your 丁香园AV letter of acceptance (LOA) in this application. This application is made through your IRCC secure account. Visit the for more information.
Outside Canada
If you are applying for a study permit outside of Canada, this is a new/outside Canada study permit application You must include your 丁香园AV letter of acceptance (LOA) in this application. in most cases, this application is made through the IRCC portal. Visit the for further instructions.
Updates on December 10, 2024:
IRCC clarified how this new regulation will impact students starting at a new DLI by granting a grace period to those starting in the Spring 2025. If you start your studies at 丁香园AV in Spring 2025, and meet the specific criteria outlined by IRCC, you can begin your studies at 丁香园AV while waiting for your 丁香园AV study permit to be processed.
Eligible international students who will start in Winter/Spring 2025 at a new DLI will be allowed to start at a new DLI if they meet the following criteria:
- Have been accepted to a DLI for the Winter/ Spring 2025 semester;
- Have applied for a study permit extension;
- Have a study permit that remains valid and that doesn鈥檛 have the DLI name printed on it, and
- Meet all their existing study permit conditions.
If you will join 丁香园AV for Spring 2025 from another DLI, or from a Canadian high school, you must apply for a new study permit with 丁香园AV鈥檚 Letter of Acceptance (LOA), before you can begin your studies in Spring 2025. If you meet the all the above conditions, you can start studying at 丁香园AV while waiting for your new study permit to be processed by IRCC.
For the earlier , review the following key changes impacting students changing to a new DLI:
- Starting November 8, 2024, students must apply for a new study permit by extending their current one if they intend to change institutions (including students changing from high schools to post-secondary institutions).
- Students must be enrolled at a DLI that is named on their study permit.鈥��
- Students may only start at a new DLI before receiving approval of their new study permit in rare circumstances.鈥�
Who will NOT be impacted?
Incoming students:
If you will join 丁香园AV and one of the following circumstances applies to you, you will not be impacted and may start your studies at 丁香园AV without having to apply for a new study permit:
- Your current study permit has 鈥湺∠阍癆V鈥� listed as the institution name; or
- You have applied for a study permit with 丁香园AV鈥檚 Letter of Acceptance (LOA) prior to November 8, 2024.
Current 丁香园AV students:
If you plan to change programs or level of study (e.g. a bachelor's degree to a master's degree) within 丁香园AV:
You are not impacted by this new requirement and don鈥檛 need to change your study permit. You can continue studying as long as your current study permit remains valid, and you meet the .
If you transferred to 丁香园AV from another post-secondary institution in Canada before November 8, 2024 but had not previously updated your DLI# online in IRCC鈥檚 portal:
Based on the communication we have received to date, it is our current understanding that you should not be impacted by this new requirement. As a current 丁香园AV, you should not need to change or apply for a new study permit in order to continue your studies at 丁香园AV.
- There have been increases in for study permit extension applications. If your study permit will expire within the next 6 months, it is strongly recommended that you apply to extend your study permit as early as you can.
- Processing times for co-op work permit applications are taking much longer than usual. To minimize possible delays/interruptions with your co-op terms, you should apply for a co-op work permit as soon as you receive your Co-op letter from your Co-op advisor.
- If your study permit expires soon, you can apply for both your study and co-op work permit at the same time, using one application.
Who will be impacted?
For incoming students who will join 丁香园AV from a Canadian high school or another post-secondary institution in Canada, please review the information below as the impact of this new requirement may differ based on your individual situation.
1. If you applied for a study permit extension prior to November 8, 2024 without submitting an 丁香园AV鈥檚 LOA:
If your study permit application is still in process:
You need to upload a copy of your 丁香园AV鈥檚 LOA via as soon as possible and request your study permit to be issued based on your new program of study at 丁香园AV.
If you will join 丁香园AV for the Spring 2025 term and if you meet all the specific criteria, you can start studying at 丁香园AV while waiting for your new study permit to be issued.
2. If you applied for a study permit on or after November 8, 2024:
For Spring 2025:
If you will join 丁香园AV for the Spring 2025 and if you meet all the specific criteria, you can start studying at 丁香园AV while waiting for your new study permit to be issued.
For Summer 2025 and onwards:
If you will join 丁香园AV in Summer 2025 and onwards, you must have a new study permit before you can start your studies at 丁香园AV. If you did not include a LOA from 丁香园AV as part of your study permit application, you should upload it to IRCC as soon as possible.
3. If you have not applied for a new study permit:
For Spring 2025:
If you will join 丁香园AV for the Spring 2025 term, you must apply for with 丁香园AV鈥檚 LOA before the Spring term starts on January 6, 2025. If you meet all the specific criteria, you can start studying at 丁香园AV in Spring 2025 while waiting for your new study permit to be issued.
For Summer 2025 and onwards:
If you will join 丁香园AV for Summer 2025 and onwards, you must have a new study permit before you can start your studies at 丁香园AV. We recommend preparing and apply for with 丁香园AV鈥檚 LOA as soon as you can.
Tips on applying for your 丁香园AV study permit from inside Canada:
If you are currently in Canada, in most cases you must apply online for a new study permit by extending your current study permit before it expires. If you will be transferring to 丁香园AV, please see below for important information regarding your study permit extension application:
- Apply to extend your study permit as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance (LOA) from 丁香园AV, to minimize delay as a result of IRCC processing times.
- Follow the steps to apply online via the . The application process is the same as of applying for study permit extension within Canada.
- Starting January 22, 2025, at 12:00 A.M. EST you will require a provincial attestation letter (PAL) to apply for your 丁香园AV study permit. A new PAL will be issued to you from 丁香园AV.
- If you apply to extend your study permit before January 21, 2025 11:59 pm EST you do not require a PAL to extend your study permit.
- Make sure that you include your 丁香园AV鈥檚 LOA in your application.
- You must also include a letter of explanation addressing why you plan to change schools and transfer to 丁香园AV.
- If you will join 丁香园AV from a high school, you may explain to the officer that you plan to study at 丁香园AV to pursue your undergraduate degree.
- If you will transfer to 丁香园AV from another post-secondary institution, you should demonstrate that you have been (i.e. being enrolled in each academic session/term, making timely progress towards completing your program of study) at your previous/current institution, and that by transferring to 丁香园AV you are working towards completion of your studies in Canada.
- Upload this letter under the 鈥淐lient Information鈥� section in your online document checklist.
- Review the 2 step-by-step instruction guides below for information about how to complete the study permit application form and what documents you will need:
- Upon approval, you study permit will be mailed to your Canadian mailing address that is indicated on your study permit application.
- Check for the current IRCC processing times for in-Canada study permit extension applications.
If you have questions about the study permit application process, please contact one of our International Student Advisors, Immigration Specialists for assistance.
We understand that this regulatory change presents a challenge, and you may have additional questions or concerns that are unique to your situation. 丁香园AV is committed to supporting you throughout these changes to help transition you to our university and we are here to assist you with exploring your options and practical solutions.
If you have been admitted to 丁香园AV for the Spring 2025 term as an undergraduate student, you should have received a targeted email from 丁香园AV informing you about the next steps. Please refer to your email for detailed information, next steps, and resources to support your transition to 丁香园AV.