International students may now be required to apply for a new study permit if they move Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada.
This is in amendment of existing regulations, wherein international students may change their DLI at any given time, but IRCC recommends that they inform the Department through a secure portal.
This was among a number of potential changes to Canada’s international student program put forth by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in the Canada Gazette, collectively titled Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Designated Learning Institutions).
Some of these amendments are:
- If a study permit holder is accepted to undertake a course or program of study at a different designated learning institution and intends to attend that institution, they must submit a new application for a study permit before the day on which their letter of acceptance to that institution indicates that they will begin the course or program of study.
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- Although they can engage in full-time work during a regularly scheduled break between academic sessions, they work no more than 24 hours per week during a regular academic session, instead of the current limit of 20 hours per week.
- The study permit holder who has submitted a new application for a study permit can study without a valid study permit until a decision is made on the application if they have remained in Canada since their permit became invalid and they continue to comply with the conditions set out in the invalid study permit, other than the condition that they remain enrolled at the designated learning institution named in the permit.
The administration of the international student program is a shared responsibility between IRCC and the Provinces and Territories.
The validity of these amendment proposals stems from the fact that the immigration department is in charge of setting policy regarding the entry of international students, establishing the conditions study permit holders must meet while in Canada, and deciding whether a study permit should be issued to an applicant.
The goal of the proposed amendments, according to the publication, is to “provide IRCC with the appropriate tools to ensure that study permits are issued to those who will be attending genuine DLIs that comply with both federal and provincial requirements and to verify that students are complying with their study permit conditions.”
“Additionally, IRCC requires the proper means to take action against DLIs who fail to comply with the proposed regulations.”