Canada Implements Stricter Rules for International Students Switching Schools

Canada has announced new rules for international students who wish to change educational institutions during their studies. Under these updated regulations, students must now apply for and receive approval for a new study permit before transferring to a different school. This change is part of an effort to strengthen the integrity of Canada's International Student Program (ISP) and ensure students follow proper procedures while studying in the country.

Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, highlighted the importance of these changes, stating, “We expect institutions to support our efforts to maintain the integrity of the International Student Program. Our goal is to provide international students with a positive and successful experience in Canada, and these changes will help achieve that.”

A critical part of these new rules involves Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), which are responsible for monitoring student compliance. Since 2015, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has worked closely with DLIs to enhance reporting processes. The new regulations require that DLIs submit regular reports to the IRCC, confirming whether international students holding study permits are still enrolled. If a student is no longer enrolled, this could lead to an investigation and possible enforcement action, as it may signal a violation of their study permit conditions.

If a DLI fails to submit the necessary compliance reports or verify acceptance letters, it could face penalties, including being banned from accepting new international students for up to one year.

In addition, a new verification process for Letters of Acceptance (LOA) has proven successful. Between December 2023 and October 2024, the IRCC reviewed nearly 529,000 LOAs and confirmed the authenticity of approximately 492,000. Over 17,000 LOAs were found to be invalid or canceled before the student had even applied for a study permit.

Quebec’s Designated Learning Institutions are not yet part of this compliance reporting system, but they will be given a grace period as the reporting process is implemented.

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