Most overseas students who want to change schools now have to apply for a new study visa and wait for their application to be approved. Now, students who want to switch institutions have to make plans far in advance or risk breaking the terms of their study visa.
Before their application for a study visa extension is decided, some students with exceptional circumstances will still be permitted to change institutions.
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This post will discuss
- Which situations, while switching institutions in Canada, call for a new study permit;
- The paperwork required to submit a fresh study permit application; and
- Who, pending the outcome of their new study permit application, may continue to attend their new DLI.
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What is the process for transferring schools in Canada?
Students must apply for an extension of their present study permit if they need to apply for a new one after changing schools.
Depending on the level of study a student is moving to or within, different procedures apply for school transfers and the need to apply for a new study permit:
| Scenario | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Changing DLIs at the post-secondary level | To extend your current study permit, you must apply for a new one. |
| Changing programs within the same DLI at post-secondary | As long as you adhere to all of the terms specified on your current study permit, you are free to continue your education. A new PAL or TAL can be needed if you need to prolong the validity of your present study permit. |
| Changed DLIs before November 8, 2024 | If you still meet all the requirements on your study permit, you can use it to continue your studies at your new DLI. |
| Wanting to change DLIs again after changing before Nov 8, 2024 | In order to extend your present study permit, you will need to apply for a new one. |
| Moving from primary to secondary school levels | If your study permit is still in effect, you don’t need to renew it or extend it unless there are restrictions on doing so.. |
| Changing DLIs within primary or secondary levels | If your study permit is still in effect, you don’t need to renew it or extend it unless there are restrictions on doing so. |
| Moving from secondary to post-secondary school levels | To enroll in a post-secondary institution, you must apply for a new study permit by extending your existing one. |
| Finishing secondary school early | Even if the permit’s expiration date is later, your study permit will be void 90 days after you finish your coursework. |
| Moving from post-secondary to secondary school levels | To study at the secondary level after attending a post-secondary institution, you must apply for a new study permit by extending your existing one. |
When should I apply for an extension of my study permit?
Students are advised to apply for a study permit extension as soon as possible if they are aware that they must do so in order to switch schools due to wait times for necessary documentation and processing times set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Students must apply for an extension no later than thirty days prior to the expiration of their existing study permit.
Your study permit will expire on the first of the following dates if you complete your coursework earlier than anticipated:
- when your study permission is marked; or
- 90 days following the day you finished your coursework.
You must apply for a study permit extension at least 30 days prior to the initial expiration date if you complete your studies later than anticipated.
Only as long as your passport is valid may you extend your study permit. When students seek for an extension of their study visa, they must make sure that their passports do not expire at the same time.
While their application is being processed by the IRCC, students who apply for a study permit extension before the expiration of their current one may still study in Canada under the terms of their current permission. As long as they stay in Canada throughout the processing period, that is.
What documents do I need for my study permit extension?
If you would like to modify or extend the terms of your study permit, you must include
- the IMM 5709 application form;
- Photocopies of relevant pages of your passport;
- Photocopies of your current study permit or other immigration document;
- Proof of acceptance at a new DLI;
- Proof of financial support while you are in Canada; and
- Proof of academic standing at educational institutions.
You may need to include additional documents with your application, depending on your situation; you can see the IRCC’s document checklist to further understand what documents would be needed.
