International students in Canada must get a new study permit before changing to a new school, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) tightened how it enforces that rule in June 2026. Since November 8, 2024, you can no longer switch designated learning institutions (DLIs) on the same study permit. On June 18, 2026, IRCC updated its instructions on assessing study permit conditions, clarifying the consequences of an unauthorized transfer and narrowing how it treats program changes made within the same school.
As of June 23, 2026.
If you are planning to move to a different college or university, the order of steps now matters: you apply first, get approved, and only then start at the new school. Doing it the other way around can put your status and your future applications at risk.
What are the rules for changing schools on a study permit in 2026?
Since November 8, 2024, an international student inside Canada cannot change designated learning institutions (DLIs) on the same study permit. To move to a new school, you must apply for a new study permit, submitted as a study permit extension if you are already in Canada, and receive approval before you begin studying at the new DLI. The school you are moving to must be on IRCC's DLI list. IRCC sets out this process on its changing your school or program page, which it last updated in June 2026.
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What changed for school transfers on June 18, 2026?
On June 18, 2026, IRCC updated the program delivery instructions its officers use to assess study permit conditions. The update clarified how the department handles unauthorized transfers between DLIs, and it narrowed how officers assess program changes made within the same school. In plain terms, officers are now looking more closely at whether a student actually held the correct study permit for the institution they are attending. The change does not alter the core rule from November 2024; it sharpens enforcement of it, so students who moved or are planning to move should make sure their permit matches their current DLI.
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Can an international student change schools in Canada?
Yes, but you must get a new study permit first. The process is to apply to extend your study permit with the new school's details before you start studying there. Your application includes a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the new DLI and, where the province requires one, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). You should confirm the new school is on the DLI list before committing, because only a designated learning institution can support a study permit. Until your new permit is approved, you are authorized to study only at the DLI named on your current permit.
Do I need a new study permit to change my program at the same school?
Changing your program at the same DLI generally does not require a new study permit. In that case you update your information in your IRCC secure account rather than filing a new application. The June 18, 2026 update narrowed how IRCC assesses these within-school changes, so the safest approach is to keep records showing you stayed at the same designated learning institution and to review IRCC's current guidance before assuming a program switch needs no action. The distinction that matters most is institution versus program: a new institution needs a new permit, while a new program at the same institution usually does not.
What documents do I need to transfer to a new DLI?
The documents you need depend on whether you are switching institutions, switching programs at the same school, or studying in Quebec, because each situation triggers a different requirement. A move to a new designated learning institution is the one that always requires a fresh study permit before you start. The table below summarizes the three common situations.
Situation
What you need
Changing to a new DLI (inside Canada)
New study permit (filed as an extension) + Letter of Acceptance from the new DLI + Provincial Attestation Letter where required
Changing program at the same DLI
Update your IRCC account; generally no new permit
Studying in Quebec
A Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) in addition to the study permit
Apply with the complete set of documents for your situation so an officer can confirm your new school and program before approving the permit.
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What happens if I switch schools without a new study permit?
Studying at a new designated learning institution before your new study permit is approved counts as unauthorized study. Breaching the conditions on your study permit can put you out of status, and it can affect future immigration applications and your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). IRCC lists the conditions on your study permit on canada.ca, including the requirement to study at the institution named on your permit. If your application is still pending, do not start at the new school until you receive the approval.
How long does a study permit transfer take?
A study permit extension to change schools is processed like other in-Canada study permit applications, and processing times change throughout the year, so check IRCC's current estimate before you plan a start date. Apply as early as you can once you have your new Letter of Acceptance. If you submit a complete application before your current permit expires, you generally keep studying under maintained status, but only at your existing DLI, until IRCC makes a decision. You can apply through IRCC's extend or change the conditions of your study permit process. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the extension itself, see our guide to extending a study permit in Canada.
Common Questions: Do You Need a New Study Permit to Change Schools?
These are the questions students raise most often about transfers under the current rules. The core rule has not changed since November 2024, but the June 2026 enforcement update makes following the steps in order more important than ever.
What are the new rules for international students changing schools? You need a new study permit before you can study at a new DLI; you can no longer transfer on your existing permit.
Can I transfer schools as an international student? Yes, by applying to extend your study permit with the new school's Letter of Acceptance and waiting for approval before you start.
I am a student in Canada changing my DLI, what do I file? Inside Canada, you submit a study permit extension that names the new designated learning institution.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.
Rami Mamar is an RCIC-IRB licensed immigration consultant and Commissioner of Oaths with over a decade of experience helping clients from Iran, UAE, Syria, Armenia, and worldwide immigrate to Canada. He has overseen 10,000+ immigration cases including Express Entry, work permits, study permits, and family sponsorship applications.
