Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently published a significant announcement in the Canadian Gazette, proposing changes to Canada’s international student program. The proposed amendments have drawn attention, particularly the suggestion that international students must Re-apply for Study Permit if they change their Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. This new regulation aims to ensure compliance with federal guidelines for schools that accept international students.
Re-Applying for Study Permits When Switching Schools:
Overview of Proposed Changes:
The IRCC’s proposal specifies that international students wishing to transfer to a different DLI must apply for a new study permit before starting their new program. Although students can attend their new DLI without a valid study permit while waiting for a decision, they must comply with the conditions of their existing license and remain in Canada.
| Requirement | Detail |
| Submit new study permit application | Before the start date of the new program |
| Attend new DLI without valid permit | Permitted until decision on the new application |
| Compliance with current permit conditions | Must remain in Canada and adhere to all other permit conditions |
Impact on International Students and DLIs:
Financial and Time Costs for Students:
For international students, re-applying for a study permit costs $150 per application. Additionally, preparing each application takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The projected cost over ten years is $55.5 million (Present Value).
Potential Processing Delays:
Due to the increase in applications, processing times may be longer, though the IRCC plans to address this by reallocating resources.
Student Costs and Time Investment:
| Cost/Time Factor | Amount |
| Application fee per student | $150 |
| Preparation time per application | 30-45 minutes |
| Total cost over 10 years (PV) | $55.5 million |
Administrative Costs for DLIs:
Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) will incur compliance and administrative expenses for verifying Letters of Acceptance (LOAs). The projected cost over ten years is $4.8 million (Present Value). Initially, LOA verification will take about three minutes per application, but this time is expected to reduce to 30 seconds as institutions become more efficient.
Table: DLI Administrative Costs
| Cost Factor | Amount |
| Initial LOA verification time | 3 minutes per application |
| Reduced LOA verification time | 30 seconds per application |
| Total cost over 10 years (PV) | $4.8 million |
Future of the Proposed Changes:
Consultation Phase and Stakeholder Feedback:
The proposed changes are in a 30-day consultation phase, ending on July 29, 2024. During this period, IRCC will gather feedback from provincial and territorial immigration and education ministries, national education associations, individual DLIs, and student representative organizations. Previous consultations have often led to the adoption of new policies.
Examples of Previous Policy Changes:
One notable example is the LOA verification process. Feedback from provincial and national education bodies helped refine this process, leading to its adoption on December 1, 2023. The current consultation may result in implementing the proposed study permit re-application requirement.
Consultation and Policy Implementation:
| Stage | Date/Duration |
| Current consultation phase | Until July 29, 2024 |
| Previous policy consultation | Fall 2022 – December 2023 |
| Example of implemented policy | LOA verification, December 1, 2023 |
While the outcome of IRCC’s proposed amendments remains uncertain, the consultation process is critical for shaping the future of international student regulations in Canada. By requiring international students to Re-apply for Study Permit when changing DLIs, IRCC aims to enhance compliance and streamline the monitoring process for institutions nationwide.
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