IRCC Introduces Rule Mandating Re-application for Study Permits upon School Transfer in Canada

In a recent issue of the Canadian Gazette, a discussion on possible adjustments to the Study Permit policy has gained traction, garnering attention from stakeholders related to Canada’s educational system for international students. The critical suggestion put forth by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is that students from abroad, who are considering transferring to a different Designated Learning Institution (DLI) within Canada, will be mandated to file for a new study permit ahead of their new program’s commencement date.

DLIs have exclusive rights to enroll international students and are therefore expected to adhere to IRCC-dictated regulations. At present, DLIs are regulated by their respective provincial governments. The federal government seeks to maintain a closer watch on these institutions to affirm that they are abiding by the rules concerning new student admissions.

What changes are laid out by the IRCC for global students desiring to switch schools in Canada? According to the notification, students who decide to shift DLIs are required to submit a new study permit application before starting their new program. Meanwhile, students may proceed to attend their new DLI while awaiting official approval of their permit, on the condition that they remain in Canada and meet all the other criteria of their current study permit.

Implications for international students encompass a financial expense of $150 for every fresh application, not to mention an estimated 30 to 45 minutes to prepare each one. The IRCC has forecasted the total expenses at approximately $55.5 million when evaluated over ten annual cycles. An anticipated consequence could be the elongation of processing times due to the rise in application numbers, although the IRCC has revealed plans to reallocate resources to deal with this issue. Nonetheless, the additional administrative load and related uncertainty could potentially hinder the educational journey of students.

DLIs won’t be spared from the impact either. They will have to shoulder compliance and administrative costs related to confirming Letters of Acceptance, which are integral to the new application procedure, projected at $4.8 million spread over the same duration. Initially, this will extend the application verification time by about three minutes, but is projected to be reduced to half a minute as institutions grow accustomed to this verification process.

Will these suggested changes be confirmed and enforced? Predicting the outcome of these proposals is challenging. Notwithstanding, by reviewing past IRCC consultations and their outcomes, a pattern emerges showing that many deliberated policies have indeed been implemented. The currently prosed study permit requirement changes are undergoing a 30-day feedback period, which expires on July 29th, 2024. Following this, the IRCC will review the responses and determine how to proceed with policymaking.

Conclusion: While the course of these proposed modifications remains uncertain until the conclusion of the ongoing consultations, the impact on international students and DLIs points to significant adjustments in administrative processes and financial commitments. Stakeholders affected by these changes are advised to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and to anticipate a transformed paradigm in managing their study permit credentials. For more information please email us at hello@bisonoimmigration.com