Study permit conditions and changing schools: a guide for international students

Study permit conditions decide more than the expiry date printed on a permit. Before changing institutions or programs, international students need to check their permit conditions, the new institution’s DLI status, and any application or Quebec selection requirements that apply. Under IRCC’s current rules, a post-secondary student changing to a different designated learning institution (DLI) must apply to extend the study permit and, in most cases, wait for approval before studying there; a narrow exception exists when the old school closed, dropped the program, was suspended or lost its designation. This guide follows IRCC’s pages consulted on October 25, 2026.

Key Takeaways

• A valid study permit does not automatically authorize study at a different designated learning institution (DLI).
• Changing post-secondary schools means applying to extend your study permit, with a letter explaining the change and, unless an exception applies, a new provincial attestation letter (PAL); IRCC says it processes these applications in 60 days when you tell it you are changing schools.
• A change of program at the same DLI is not automatically the same as a transfer to a new DLI.
• Coordinate acceptance, the extension application, withdrawal, and the new program’s start date to avoid an unplanned enrolment gap.
• In Quebec, moving to a new school generally requires a new CAQ before the federal application.
• An authorized leave counts only up to 150 days, and you cannot work during it.

The conditions attached to a Canadian study permit

A study permit authorizes study subject to its conditions. According to IRCC, a study permit holder must be enrolled at a DLI, show they are actively pursuing their studies, apply to extend the permit to change post-secondary schools, end their studies if they no longer meet the requirements of being a student, and leave Canada when the permit expires. Our study permit guidance can help you understand the application process and the conditions to review.

Being actively pursuing studies has a specific meaning. IRCC lists three elements: being enrolled full-time or part-time during each academic semester (regularly scheduled breaks excluded), making progress towards completing your program’s courses, and not taking authorized leaves longer than 150 days. Students in Quebec are also told to check the province’s own requirements.

Your permit can carry other conditions too, printed on the document: the level of studies, whether you may work on or off campus, whether you must report for medical procedures, whether you may travel within Canada, and the date you must stop studying. Keep enrolment confirmations, transcripts, correspondence with the school, and other academic records that show continued study and explain any interruption.

A study permit is usually valid for the length of the program plus 90 days. If you finish early, IRCC says the permit stops being valid 90 days after you complete your studies, whatever date is printed on it; the completion date is the first time your school notifies you, by completion letter, transcript or diploma.

First determine whether the change is to a new DLI

To change DLI, compare the current and proposed institutions using IRCC’s official DLI list on canada.ca. A different campus, affiliated institution, or joint program may have a separate DLI designation, so do not rely only on the school’s brand name or its relationship with your current institution.

IRCC sorts the situations this way. Changing schools within the post-secondary level, whether at the same level or moving up (bachelor’s to master’s, for instance), requires a study permit extension before you can start at the new DLI. Changing programs at the same post-secondary school does not always require a new permit: you can keep studying as long as you meet your conditions, and if the change requires an extension, you can start the new program while waiting, but must stop immediately if the application is refused.

Read the conditions printed on your permit before making plans. If it names a level or contains other restrictions, changing institutions does not remove those conditions; check the current requirements on canada.ca before acting, including whether a PAL is required in your case.

Coordinate the transfer, application, and enrolment dates

Start with the new school’s letter of acceptance (LOA) and confirm the new school is on the DLI list. IRCC asks for a letter explaining why you are changing schools and a new, valid provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL), unless you meet one of the exceptions; this requirement dates from January 22, 2025.

When you apply online, IRCC asks you to answer “Yes” to the question about being a student residing in Canada who is changing DLI. That answer is what triggers the 60-day processing it advertises for students moving to a new post-secondary DLI. An account update or admission offer alone does not substitute for the extension application, and it does not establish that study at the new institution is authorized.

Plan the current school’s withdrawal date and the new school’s start date around the application process. As a rule, you should get the extended permit for your new DLI before finishing at your current one.

You may begin at the new post-secondary DLI while the extension is pending only if all of IRCC’s criteria are met: you have not left Canada since receiving the new LOA, you continue to meet the conditions of your current permit, and, before you completed your program, your current DLI closed, discontinued your course or program, was placed on the suspension list, or lost its designated status. If you do not meet these criteria, wait for approval before starting at the new school.

When a transfer involves several documents and steps, our CAQ guidance may be relevant. Visa Canada Rouge helps prepare the federal study permit application after the CAQ application step, which can help students coordinate the sequence of their files.

Keep a record of the LOA, application submissions, school communications, and any decision notices. A dated record helps you explain your enrolment history and identify what remains to be done.

Changing schools while studying in Quebec

Quebec adds a provincial selection step to the federal study permit process. IRCC states that, with few exceptions, a student moving to a school in Quebec must get an attestation of issuance of their Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and submit it with the study permit application. Students already studying in Quebec who want to change institution or level of study are told to contact the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).

One Quebec case differs: if you move between two vocational training centres, IRCC says you do not need a new study permit, but you do need a new CAQ.

Visa Canada Rouge’s CAQ application assistance is relevant when a student needs to clarify the provincial steps: the firm helps students identify CAQ requirements, gather documents, prepare a complete CAQ file, and coordinate it with the federal study permit file. Use the linked CAQ guidance above for information about this service, or our guide to the online CAQ application.

If Quebec requires a new CAQ for the change, obtain it before filing the federal application and include it with the supporting documents. Check that the school, program, and dates match the LOA and permit application.

The 60-day processing route concerns processing time; it does not itself authorize study at the new DLI. Unless you meet the exception described above, wait for the new permit before beginning classes.

Authorized leave, enrolment gaps, and work permission

IRCC counts a leave as authorized only up to a maximum of 150 days, and only in listed cases: a leave your school authorizes for medical reasons or pregnancy, a family emergency, the death or serious illness of a family member, or any other leave the school authorizes; a permanent closure or a strike; a change of school; or a deferred program start date. After a deferral, you must start the next semester, even if it begins sooner than 150 days, with an updated letter of acceptance.

You do not need to tell IRCC when you take an authorized leave, but if it asks, you must show the leave was authorized by your DLI and lasted no more than 150 days. Ask the school for written confirmation that identifies the reason for the leave and its duration, and keep that record with your enrolment documents.

An authorized leave does not preserve work permission. IRCC is explicit: you cannot work on or off campus during an authorized leave, even if your permit says you may work. The only exception it lists is a temporary closure due to a strike, during which students authorized to work remain authorized for up to 150 days. Our guide to working while studying covers the hours rules.

If your new start date changes, contact the school about your enrolment status and document the updated plan.

What can happen if permit conditions are not respected

IRCC may ask you to prove you meet your conditions, as part of a random check or if it has reason to believe you do not. It can request official school documents on enrolment, leaves, withdrawals or suspensions, transcripts, references, or medical proof. It may also email you from an address ending in “@cic.gc.ca” and ask you to confirm, by a set date, that you are enrolled and actively studying at a DLI.

If you change schools without telling IRCC, your old school will report you as no longer enrolled. IRCC lists the consequences: you are breaking your permit conditions, your permit may become invalid or be cancelled, you may be asked to leave or change your status, and future study or work permits may be refused. If IRCC finds you have not met your conditions, you may also have to wait 6 months before applying for a new study permit, or for a visitor visa or work permit in Canada.

If your school loses its DLI status or is placed on the suspension list, IRCC lets you keep studying until your current permit expires, and you can apply for an extension to change DLIs. Follow IRCC’s instructions for that situation rather than treating it as an ordinary voluntary transfer.

If your permit is nearing expiry or a problem has already occurred, check official guidance promptly. You can also use our complex-case information, consultation page, or assessment page to explore options for discussing your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Could changing schools or programs affect my eligibility for a post-graduation work permit?

Yes. Eligibility can depend on the institution and program, as well as whether the student meets the applicable study and completion requirements. Review the current PGWP criteria for the proposed program before committing to a transfer; our article on PGWP field-of-study rules is a starting point.

Can I change the school on my application if it is still in progress?

Yes. IRCC says you can tell it you want to change the DLI on a pending application by submitting a new letter of acceptance, and a PAL or TAL if needed, through the IRCC web form. If your permit was already approved while you were outside Canada and you change school, you must submit a new application and pay the fees again.

Can I travel outside Canada while an application to change my study permit is being processed?

Leaving Canada after receiving the new LOA removes you from the exception that lets some students start at the new school while waiting. Before leaving, check the entry-document requirements that apply to you and how your status and ability to resume studies may be affected. If you come from a country that requires a valid immigration medical exam, you may also need a new one to return.

What should I do if my new school’s start date is delayed after I have withdrawn from my current school?

Ask the new school for written confirmation of the revised intake and whether it will issue an updated LOA. Keep the old and revised records together, then check whether the change affects your application or enrolment obligations.

What steps should I take if my application to change schools or extend my study permit is refused?

Read the refusal letter carefully and identify the reasons and any deadline or status issue it describes. Before continuing at the new school, get case-specific guidance on your options and whether you need to stop studying, restore status, or take another step.

How do I change a condition on my study permit?

IRCC says that if you want to change a condition on your study permit, you must apply. Include the supporting documents required for your situation and check the current application instructions before changing your studies, because you may need approval before the new conditions apply.

Conclusion

Changing schools on a study permit requires students to check the permit itself, verify the new institution’s DLI designation, apply for the extension with a new PAL where needed, and coordinate any Quebec CAQ step with their enrolment dates. Keep written records, confirm current rules on canada.ca and quebec.ca, and do not treat an offer, account update, or unexpired permit as automatic authorization to study at a different school.

Official sources

Official pages consulted on October 25, 2026:

• IRCC — Study permit conditions
• IRCC — Changing schools or programs as an international student
• IRCC — While you study