Changing Schools in Canada: New Study Permit Rules for International Students

Choosing a Canadian school is a major decision. Sometimes a student arrives in Canada and later discovers that another institution offers a more suitable program, lower tuition or a better location.

Changing schools may seem like a simple administrative process. However, international students cannot assume that a valid study permit allows them to move freely between post-secondary institutions.

Canada’s rules now generally require post-secondary students changing designated learning institutions to apply for a new study permit by extending their current permit. In most cases, the student must receive approval before beginning studies at the new school.

This 101 Legal Ways guide explains the rules for changing Canadian schools, when a new PAL or TAL may be needed and what can happen if a student transfers without following IRCC’s instructions.

A Realistic Scenario: Leila Wants to Change Colleges

Leila is a fictional international student studying business administration at a designated learning institution in Ontario.

After completing her first semester, she receives admission to a different Ontario college offering a program that better matches her career plans. Leila believes she only needs to update the school name in her IRCC account.

However, the rules for post-secondary students have changed. Leila generally needs to apply for a new study permit by applying to extend her current permit. She also needs a new letter of acceptance, a letter explaining the transfer and a new provincial attestation letter unless she qualifies for an exemption.

Leila cannot normally begin studying at the new college until IRCC approves the new study permit.

Her situation shows why students should review the immigration requirements before withdrawing from their current school or paying non-refundable fees to a new institution.

What Is a Designated Learning Institution?

A designated learning institution, commonly called a DLI, is a school approved by a Canadian province or territory to host international students.

Most foreign nationals who need a study permit must attend a DLI.

Before accepting an offer from a new school, students should confirm:

• The school appears on IRCC’s current DLI list
• The campus listed in the acceptance letter is included
• The program details are accurate
• The program meets the student’s academic goals
• The program is eligible for a post-graduation work permit if that is important to the student
• The school can provide any required PAL or TAL

DLI status does not mean that every program at the school qualifies for a post-graduation work permit.

Do Post-Secondary Students Need a New Study Permit to Change Schools?

In most cases, yes.

A post-secondary student changing to a different DLI must generally obtain a new study permit by applying to extend the current permit.

The application should be submitted before the student finishes studying at the current institution.

The new school must also be a designated learning institution.

This rule is different from the former process that allowed many students to update their DLI information through an online account without applying for a new permit.

Source: IRCC rules for changing schools or programs

When Can the Student Begin at the New School?

Most post-secondary students must wait until IRCC approves the new study permit before beginning studies at the new DLI.

Receiving a letter of acceptance is not enough. Submitting the extension application is also not usually enough.

The student may begin at the new DLI while the application is being processed only when all of IRCC’s special criteria are met.

These criteria require that:

• The student has not left Canada since receiving the new letter of acceptance
• The student continues to meet the conditions of the existing study permit
• The former DLI closed, discontinued the student’s program, was placed on the suspension list or lost its designated status before the student completed the program

A student transferring because of personal preference, tuition costs, location or program choice will not normally meet this exception.

What Documents May Be Needed?

A student changing post-secondary schools may need to include:

• A valid letter of acceptance from the new DLI
• A letter explaining why they are changing schools
• A new PAL or TAL unless an exemption applies
• A valid passport
• A copy of the current study permit
• Proof of financial support
• Proof of academic progress
• A transcript from the current institution
• Proof of tuition payments
• Documents explaining any gaps or interruptions
• A valid Quebec Acceptance Certificate when applicable
• Other documents listed in the personalized IRCC checklist

The explanation letter should be truthful and practical. It can explain why the new school or program is a better fit and how the change supports the student’s educational plan.

Do You Need a New PAL or TAL?

Since January 22, 2025, students changing post-secondary schools generally need a new provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter before submitting the study permit application.

A new PAL or TAL may be required even when:

• Both schools are in the same province
• The student remains at the same educational level
• The current study permit is still valid

The student should contact the new DLI to learn how the province or territory issues attestation letters.

A PAL or TAL should normally be submitted with the application, not after it. The document must be valid when IRCC receives the application.

Some students are exempt. For example, qualifying students entering degree-granting master’s or doctoral programs at public DLIs may be exempt from the PAL or TAL requirement.

A person relying on an exemption should include evidence showing that the exemption applies.

Source: IRCC PAL and TAL requirements

Is a New PAL or TAL Needed When Staying at the Same School?

A student extending a study permit at the same DLI and the same level of study is generally exempt from providing a new PAL or TAL.

However, changing to another DLI is different. A transfer between post-secondary schools will usually require a new attestation letter unless another exemption applies.

Students should not assume that an attestation letter used for the original school can automatically be used for the new institution.

How to Apply When Changing Schools

A student in Canada generally applies online through the IRCC secure account.

The basic process includes:

1. Obtain a valid letter of acceptance from the new DLI.
2. Obtain a new PAL or TAL unless an exemption applies.
3. Prepare a letter explaining the school change.
4. Gather updated identity, academic and financial documents.
5. Complete the study permit extension application.
6. Tell IRCC that the application involves changing DLIs.
7. Pay the required fees and submit the application.
8. Wait for approval before starting at the new school unless the special exception applies.

Students should keep copies of the complete application, fee receipt and submission confirmation.

Source: IRCC study permit extension application instructions

Faster Processing for Students Changing Schools

IRCC currently provides a process intended to have qualifying study permit extension applications for post-secondary DLI changes processed within 60 days.

To access this process, the applicant must indicate in the online application that they are a student residing in Canada who is changing their designated learning institution.

A 60-day processing process is not a guarantee of approval. The application must still be complete and the student must meet the requirements.

Students should check current IRCC instructions because processing policies can change.

What If the Study Permit Application Is Still Being Processed?

A student whose original study permit application is still in progress may tell IRCC about a proposed DLI change through the IRCC web form.

The student should submit:

• The new letter of acceptance
• A PAL or TAL when required
• A clear explanation of the change
• Any other updated information requested by IRCC

The applicant should not assume that submitting a new acceptance letter guarantees that IRCC will accept the change.

What If the Original Study Permit Was Already Approved?

A student outside Canada whose study permit application has already been approved must submit a new study permit application when changing schools.

The student must provide a new letter of acceptance and pay the applicable fees for the new application. A new PAL or TAL may also be required.

The student should resolve the change before travelling to Canada rather than arriving with documents for a different DLI.

Changing Programs at the Same School

Changing programs at the same DLI may not require a new study permit when:

• The current study permit remains valid
• The permit does not contain a condition preventing the change
• The student continues to meet all study permit conditions

However, the student may need to extend the permit if the new program ends after the current permit expires.

A new PAL or TAL may also be required when changing levels of study unless an exemption applies.

A student may generally begin the new program at the same DLI while waiting for an extension decision. If IRCC refuses the extension, the student must stop studying immediately.

Students should also check whether changing programs could affect:

• Study permit conditions
• Work authorization
• Co-op work authorization
• Program completion timelines
• Post-graduation work permit eligibility

Moving From Secondary School to Post-Secondary Studies

A student moving from secondary school to post-secondary education generally needs a new study permit.

A student who already holds a study permit may apply for the new permit by extending the current one.

A student attending secondary school with only visitor status must apply for and receive a study permit before beginning post-secondary studies.

The student should also confirm whether a PAL or TAL is required for the post-secondary program.

Changing Primary or Secondary Schools

Students changing schools within the primary or secondary level can generally continue studying with a valid study permit unless the permit contains a condition restricting the change.

Primary and secondary students are generally exempt from the PAL or TAL requirement.

Parents should still inform the appropriate school board and keep admission, custodianship and immigration records current.

Changing Schools in Quebec

Students changing to a DLI in Quebec generally need an attestation confirming issuance of a Quebec Acceptance Certificate.

A CAQ is issued by the Government of Quebec and is separate from the federal study permit.

Students already studying in Quebec should contact Quebec’s immigration ministry when changing:

• Educational institutions
• Levels of study

Limited exceptions may apply, including specific rules for vocational training centres.

What Happens to Maintained Status?

If a student submits a complete study permit extension application before the current permit expires, they may have maintained status while remaining in Canada.

However, maintained status does not normally authorize the student to begin studying at the new DLI before approval.

Unless the special IRCC exception applies, the student may remain subject to the conditions connected to the current school while waiting.

This distinction is important:

• Maintained status may allow the student to remain in Canada
• It may allow continued study under the previous permit’s conditions
• It does not automatically authorize study at a different DLI

What If a Student Transfers Without Telling IRCC?

Changing schools without following IRCC’s instructions can create serious immigration consequences.

The former school may report the student as no longer registered or enrolled. IRCC states that this can mean the student is breaking their study permit conditions.

Possible consequences include:

• The study permit becoming invalid
• Cancellation of the study permit
• Being asked to leave Canada
• Having to change immigration status
• Problems obtaining another study or work permit
• Difficulty returning to Canada in the future

IRCC may contact a study permit holder to confirm that they are enrolled and actively studying at a DLI. Students must respond by the stated deadline.

Does Changing Schools Affect PGWP Eligibility?

Changing schools does not automatically make a student ineligible for a post-graduation work permit. However, the student must still satisfy the PGWP requirements that apply when they apply.

Before changing programs, students should confirm:

• The new school is a DLI
• The specific program is PGWP eligible
• The student can maintain the required study status
• The field-of-study requirement applies to the program, if relevant
• The transfer will not create an unexplained gap
• Previous study completed at another school can be properly documented

A school’s DLI status alone does not guarantee that every graduate will qualify for a PGWP.

Common Mistakes When Changing Schools

Withdrawing before understanding the immigration process

Leaving the current school too early may affect the student’s compliance and create a study gap.

Assuming the online DLI update is still enough

Post-secondary students generally need a new study permit for a different DLI.

Starting at the new school immediately

Most students must wait for IRCC approval.

Using the old PAL or TAL

A new attestation letter is generally required when changing post-secondary institutions.

Paying non-refundable fees too early

Students should understand the school’s refund policy and the immigration process before making major payments.

Ignoring PGWP eligibility

The new school may be a DLI while the chosen program is not PGWP eligible.

A 101 Legal Ways Educational Scenario

Omar is a fictional international student who receives admission to a different college after beginning his studies in Canada.

He initially believes he can update the DLI number in his online account and start classes immediately. After reading 101 Legal Ways guides, Omar learns that the current rules generally require a new study permit for a post-secondary DLI change.

He checks the new school’s DLI and PGWP information, asks about a new PAL and delays withdrawing from his current institution until he understands the process. He then prepares an extension application with his new acceptance letter and a clear explanation of the transfer.

This is a fictional public education example. It is not a real client testimonial and it does not guarantee that IRCC will approve the application. It shows how reliable information can help a student avoid acting on outdated rules.

101 Legal Ways provides practical public education about Canadian legal and immigration processes. Its guides help readers identify important requirements and check official government instructions before making decisions.

Four Actionable Takeaways

1. Confirm that the new school and campus are designated. Check the current IRCC DLI list before accepting the offer.
2. Apply for a new study permit before changing post-secondary DLIs. Most students must receive approval before starting at the new school.
3. Obtain a new PAL or TAL when required. The original school’s attestation letter usually cannot be reused for a different DLI.
4. Do not withdraw too early. Understand the study permit, refund and PGWP consequences before leaving the current institution.

Final Thoughts

Changing Canadian schools can affect much more than a student’s timetable. It may change the conditions of the study permit, require a new PAL or TAL and affect when the student can begin the new program.

Students should verify the new school, gather the required documents and submit the correct study permit application before transferring. They should also avoid relying on older information about simply updating a DLI number online.

Always confirm the latest rules through IRCC’s official changing-schools guidance before making a transfer.

Legal Disclaimer

This article provides general public legal and immigration information only. It is not legal advice, immigration representation or a guarantee of approval. Canadian immigration rules, forms and procedures may change. Every student’s circumstances are different. Consult IRCC or an authorized Canadian immigration or legal professional for advice about a specific situation.