Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has proposed regulatory changes that could significantly impact international students studying in Canada. According to a recent publication in the Canada Gazette, IRCC is suggesting that students who wish to transfer from one Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to another must apply for a new study permit before beginning studies at the new institution.
This marks a notable shift from current policy, where students only need to inform IRCC of a DLI change through the designated online portal. Under the proposed amendment, students would need to submit a new study permit application before the start of their program at a new school. While they could still attend classes while the new permit is being processed, they must continue to meet the conditions of their original permit and remain in Canada during the process.
Designated Learning Institutions are schools authorized by provincial governments to host international students. However, the federal government currently has limited oversight of how DLIs comply with national immigration and admission standards. The proposed change aims to bolster integrity in the student visa system and enhance Canada’s ability to monitor student movement between institutions.
An impact assessment released with the proposal outlines the financial and administrative implications for various stakeholders. For international students, each new study permit application would cost $150 and take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to prepare. Over a 10-year period, the total cumulative cost for students is estimated to reach $55.5 million in present value.
Designated Learning Institutions would also be affected, primarily due to the requirements of verifying Letters of Acceptance (LOAs). This verification process is a critical component of the new application system and is projected to result in total costs of roughly $4.8 million over the same 10-year span. Although the initial workload may increase, IRCC expects that institutions will become more efficient at verifying LOAs over time.
The changes have not yet been finalized. As of now, they are undergoing a 30-day public consultation period, ending July 29, 2024. During this phase, IRCC is seeking feedback from provincial governments, educational institutions, student organizations, and other stakeholders.
IRCC has a track record of implementing changes following similar consultations. For instance, a previous consultation focusing on LOA verification led to new compliance measures adopted in December 2023, aimed at reducing fraudulent admissions and enhancing transparency across DLIs.
If adopted, the proposed policy is expected to heighten oversight and help IRCC better track the academic pathways of international students. However, it may also introduce new challenges for students navigating program changes mid-study.
Maple News will continue to monitor this development and provide updates as IRCC evaluates feedback and determines the next steps in reforming Canada’s international student framework.