New rules on changing schools for international students in Canada

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued new rules for international students wishing to change schools in Canada.

At present, depending on the case, an international student may need to apply for a new study permit in order to change schools in Canada.

This article covers the key information and the steps required for international students in Canada who wish to change schools in 2025, including:

• Guidance for specific school-transfer situations.
• Special measures for certain students transferring between January and May 2025.
• Points to note on the eligibility requirements for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for international students who choose to transfer.

Does changing schools require a new study permit?

Depending on the level of study and the nature of the transfer, international students may have to meet different criteria. These differences are summarised in the table below:

Case	Requirements
Changing between Designated Learning Institution (DLI) at the post-secondary level	The student will need to apply for a new study permit by submitting an application to extend the current permit.
Changing between post-secondary programmes at the same DLI	The student may continue studying on the current study permit, provided they continue to meet all conditions relating to academic standing and student status.
Moving from the secondary level to the post-secondary level	The student will need to apply for a new study permit by submitting an application to extend the current study permit.
Moving from the post-secondary level to the secondary level	The student will need to apply for a study permit by submitting an application to extend the study permit.
Changing DLIs at the primary or secondary level	The student may continue studying on the current study permit for as long as it remains valid, unless specific conditions written on the study permit restrict this.
Moving from the primary level to the secondary level at the same DLI	The student may continue studying on the current study permit for as long as it remains valid, unless specific conditions written on the study permit restrict this.
Changing DLIs in Quebec	The student will need to apply for a new study permit and obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) to submit with the application (this applies only in a small number of cases). If a student transfers between two schools that are vocational training centres (VTCs), no new study permit application is required, but a new CAQ is needed.

Note: Where a secondary-school student in Canada moves to the post-secondary level, the study permit of a newcomer who has completed secondary school ceases to be valid 90 days after the programme is completed (regardless of the date shown on the study permit).

Changing school or programme without notifying Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may have serious consequences. Failing to report a change of school can render a student’s study permit invalid or lead to its cancellation. IRCC may also require the student to leave Canada or to change their status in the country, which can further restrict their ability to enter or settle in Canada in future.

When extending a study permit, is a new study permit required?

Certain groups of students listed in the table above must apply for a new study permit through a study-permit extension in order to change schools.

To apply for a study-permit extension, the student must take the following steps:

• Make sure they have all the new documents required for the extension, including a Letter of Acceptance (LOA).
• Gather all the remaining documents required from the document checklist on the website in line with (Instruction Guide 5552) and submit them to IRCC.
• Complete all the required forms and upload the necessary documents to the online application.
• Pay the required fees (table below).
• Submit the study-permit extension application online to IRCC (unless the student falls into one of the categories permitted to apply on paper).
• Make sure the new DLI confirms the LOA within the required time frame.

Special rules for students transferring between January and May 2025

IRCC has also introduced temporary rules allowing certain students who have been accepted to a new Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in early 2025 to transfer and begin their studies while their new study-permit application is still being processed.

A student may begin studying at the new school before the new study permit is issued if they:

• Have been accepted to a new DLI for an intake between 1 January and 1 May 2025.
• Have applied to extend their study permit.
• Hold a study permit that is still valid and does not name the new DLI on it.
• Meet all the conditions of the current study permit.

Points to note on work permits for transferring students

Applying for a new study permit through an extension may mean the student has to meet further requirements to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Since November 2024, international students graduating in Canada must meet language requirements and field-of-study requirements to be eligible for a PGWP.

Whether the field-of-study requirement applies depends on the date on which the candidate submitted their study-permit application.

If the study-permit application was submitted before 1 November 2024, the student does not need to meet the field-of-study requirement and only needs to complete a language test.

If the study-permit application was submitted before 1 November 2024 and a new study permit is needed on changing schools, the student may have to meet the field-of-study requirement in order to obtain a PGWP (whereas previously they were exempt).

PGWP eligibility requirements

For study-permit applications submitted before 1 November 2024

Level of study	Language	Field of study
Bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programme	English or French language ability equivalent to CLB/NCLC level 7 in all four skills.	–
University programmes not listed above	English or French language ability equivalent to CLB/NCLC level 7 in all four skills.	–
College programmes or non-university programmes	English or French language ability equivalent to CLB/NCLC level 5 in all four skills.	–

For study-permit applications submitted after 1 November 2024

Level of study	Language requirement	Field-of-study requirement
Bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programme	English or French language ability equivalent to CLB/NCLC level 7 in all four skills.	Not applicable
University programmes not listed above	English or French language ability equivalent to CLB/NCLC level 7 in all four skills.	Must graduate from an eligible field of study.
College programmes or non-university programmes	English or French language ability equivalent to CLB/NCLC level 5 in all four skills.	Must graduate from an eligible field of study.

The cost of changing schools

Some students must pay a fee to restore their student status (if the study permit has expired) or to apply for biometrics if IRCC requires them:

Category	Fee
Study permit (including extension)	$150 CAD
Restoration of student status (including $239.75 for restoration and $150 for the new study permit)	$389,75 CAD

Biometrics fee

Category	Fee
Biometrics (per person)	$85
Biometrics (for a family – 2 or more people)	$170