Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released new details for international students transferring schools for winter or spring 2025.
International students changing schools in Canada for the 2025 winter/spring semesters will now be allowed to begin studying at their new school before the issuance of a new study permit—provided they meet certain conditions.
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To begin studying at their new Designated Learning Institution (DLI)* before the issuance of a new study permit, students transferring schools in Canada must:
- Have been accepted at the new DLI for the winter/spring 2025 semester intake;
- Have applied to IRCC for a new study permit via a study permit extension application;
- Hold a valid study permit that does not have the name of the new DLI printed on it; and
- Continue to meet all existing conditions of their study permit.
*DLIs are the only schools in Canada authorized by the government to accept international students.
All of the above conditions must be met for students to begin studying at their new DLI before the issuance of a new study permit.
Prior to this exemption, all international students in Canada needed to be approved for a new study permit before changing DLIs. That meant that they could no longer simply change DLIs through their online account, and needed to get a new one by applying to extend their current one.
PGWP eligibility implications of transferring schools
Depending on when students applied for their new study permit, and their new level of study, they may have to meet increased field of study criteria to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):
Applied for new study permit before November 1, 2024:
| Level of study | Field of study requirements |
| University bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs | N/A |
| University programs not listed above | N/A |
| College program or non-university program | N/A |
Applied for a new study permit after November 1, 2024:
| Level of study | Field of study requirements |
| University bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs | N/A |
| University programs not listed above | Must graduate from an eligible field of study |
| College program or other non-university program | Must graduate from an eligible field of study |
All international students applying for a PGWP must also meet new language eligibility criteria as well to receive an open work permit (OWP) after graduation. Language proficiency must be proven by taking an IRCC-approved language test in either English or French.
All students in university programs must show language proficiency equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 (for English) or a Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7 (for French).
Students in college or other non-university programs must show language proficiency equivalent to a CLB or a NCLC level 5.
Standard process for transferring schools
Students transferring schools after the winter/spring semester will need to meet different conditions to start their studies before receiving a new study permit.
These students can only begin studying at their new DLI before the issuance of their new study permit if they meet all of the following conditions:
They have remained in Canada since they received a letter of admission (LOA) from their new DLI;
They continue to meet the conditions of their previous study permit;
Before completing their previous course or program of study, their old DLI either:
- Closed; or
- Had discontinued the course or program of study; or
- Was placed on the suspension list; or
- Lost its designated status.
