The best is yet to come
OK
Log out of UNA?
Log out
Cancel
Revolutionizing Immigration with AI
My Appointments
Welcome to UNA
2025 Canada International Student Transfer Policy: Comprehensive Analysis

Do I Need to Reapply for a Study Permit When Transferring?

IRCC categorizes transfers into various scenarios and provides specific guidelines for each:

1. Transferring between Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) at the post-secondary level:

  • Requires applying for a new study permit, usually submitted as an “extension of the current study permit.”

2. Changing programs or majors within the same post-secondary DLI:

  • Existing study permit remains valid, provided all student status requirements are met.

3. Advancing from secondary school to a post-secondary DLI:

  • Requires applying for a new study permit as an “extension of the current permit.”

4. Transferring from a post-secondary DLI back to secondary school:

  • Also requires a new study permit (permit extension).

5. Transferring between primary or secondary schools (DLI):

  • Existing study permit can continue to be used if it remains valid and has no restrictive conditions.

6. Advancing from primary to secondary school within the same institution:

  • No new study permit is required if the current permit remains valid and unrestricted.

7. Transferring within Quebec:

  • Most cases require a new study permit and supporting CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate) documents.
  • Transfers between vocational training centers (VTCs) generally do not require a new study permit but do require a new CAQ.

Important Note: Upon completing secondary school and transitioning to a post-secondary DLI, the original study permit becomes invalid 90 days after high school completion—even if the permit’s expiry date has not been reached. Failure to update your permit or notify IRCC of the transfer may result in a loss of status or removal from Canada.

How to Apply for a New Study Permit by Extending the Current Permit

For students required to obtain a new study permit under the new regulations, follow these steps:

  1. Obtain a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the new institution: Ensure all documents meet the admission requirements of the new program or school.
  2. Prepare the necessary application materials: Refer to IRCC’s “Document Checklist” (Guide 5552) and gather identification, proof of finances, etc.
  3. Submit the application online: Complete the required forms, upload documents, and pay the applicable fees (details below).
  4. Await confirmation from the institution: The new school must verify and confirm your enrollment with IRCC within the stipulated timeline.
  5. Provide biometrics if required: If notified by IRCC, provide fingerprints and photos as instructed.

Temporary Measures for Transfers Between January and May 2025

To accommodate students needing to transfer during the Winter and Spring terms of 2025, IRCC allows eligible students to begin studies at their new institution before receiving their updated permit approval if they meet the following conditions:

  • Received an LOA for the Winter or Spring term (start date between January 1 and May 1, 2025).
  • Submitted an “extension of the current study permit” application to IRCC.
  • Hold a valid study permit with no restrictions on institutions.
  • Continue to comply with the terms of their existing permit.

This temporary measure ensures students can enroll on time and transition smoothly. However, obtaining final approval for the new permit is essential to avoid future complications with studies or status.

Impact of Transfers on PGWP Eligibility

Starting November 2024, Canada has introduced additional language and field-of-study requirements for PGWP applicants. Whether these requirements apply depends on the initial study permit application date:

  • Submitted before November 1, 2024: Only language proficiency (CLB/NCLC 5 or 7 for English or French, depending on the program level) is required; no field-of-study restrictions apply.
  • Submitted after November 1, 2024: Both language proficiency and “eligible field of study” requirements must be met for certain institutions and programs.

Important: If transferring requires a new study permit application, previously exempt “field of study” requirements may become applicable, potentially affecting PGWP eligibility. Students should carefully plan and fully understand the implications before transferring.

Transfer-Related Fees

According to IRCC, international students may encounter the following costs when transferring:

1. Study Permit (including extensions): CAD 150 per person.

2. Restoring Student Status: CAD 389.75 (including CAD 239.75 restoration fee and CAD 150 new permit fee).

3. Biometrics (if required):

  • Individual: CAD 85
  • Family (two or more members): CAD 170

Ensure correct fees are paid when applying, and retain payment receipts to avoid delays.

What is PGWP?

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit issued to international graduates who complete an eligible program at a DLI. Key features include:

  • No specific employer or job offer required: Graduates can work anywhere in Canada and in any industry.
  • Flexible validity: Based on program duration, permits range from 8 months to 3 years.
  • Local work experience: Canadian work experience contributes to eligibility for permanent residency programs.

Since PGWP is crucial for many students’ long-term plans in Canada, understanding new study permit and PGWP requirements is vital before transferring to ensure compliance and safeguard future career opportunities.

Tags
Immigration News
Study
PGWP
加拿大家庭护工移民试点项目开放首日即满额,申请竞争异常激烈
Canadian Home Care Worker Pilot Program Fills Up on Opening Day Amid Fierce Competition
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially opened the application portal for its highly anticipated Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP) on March 31, 2025. However, due to the large number of applicants, the online application quotas for the two sub-categories aimed at in-Canada applicants – the Child Care Pilot and the Home Support Pilot – rapidly reached their annual caps on the afternoon of the opening day. This reflects the program's immense popularity and the intense competition among applicants. Currently, the stream for overseas applicants has not yet opened.
04/02/2025
曼省PNP最新邀请侧重省内毕业生,西北地区2025年提名申请接收截止
Manitoba PNP Prioritizes In-Province Graduates in Latest Draw; Northwest Territories Closes 2025 Nomination Intake
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its latest draw on March 21, prioritizing invitations for candidates with post-secondary education completed in Manitoba, along with some Skilled Workers Overseas. Concurrently, the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has announced the closure of its 2025 application intake, proceeding with a random selection of applications for processing and providing details on its quota allocation.
04/02/2025
萨省省提名计划(SINP)重大调整:多项通道关闭,海外招聘聚焦三大行业
Major Adjustments to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): Several Streams Closed, Overseas Recruitment Focuses on Three Key Industries
The province of Saskatchewan in Canada has implemented major reforms to its Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), effective March 27, 2025. The adjustments include reopening the acceptance of Job Approval Forms (JAFs) for employers, but with the recruitment of overseas skilled workers now restricted to three key areas: healthcare, agriculture, and technical trades. Simultaneously, the province has closed the immigration streams for entrepreneurs and farm owners/operators, tightened the eligibility requirements for certain open work permit holders and international students, and set annual nomination quota limits for the accommodation and food services, retail, and truck transportation sectors.
04/02/2025
育空省调整省提名机制:全新意向申请系统助推移民选拔升级
Yukon Adjusts Nomination System: A New Expression of Interest Application System Boosts Upgraded Immigration Selection
Canada's Yukon Territory has announced a significant overhaul of its Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), transitioning to a new Expression of Interest (EOI) pool-based system effective March 31, 2025, replacing the previous direct application model. This change aims to manage a substantially reduced federal nomination allocation and better target candidates aligning with the territory's priorities. Under the new system, employers must first submit an EOI and receive an invitation before applying for nomination for a foreign worker. Yukon has also outlined priority candidate groups for 2025 and launched a temporary measure offering work permit support to certain foreign nationals already in the territory.
03/31/2025
加拿大多所顶尖大学学科排名跻身全球百强 留学申请关键流程详解
Several Top Canadian Universities Enter Global Top 100 in Subject Rankings; Key Study Permit Application Process Explained
The international higher education research institution Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) recently released the 15th edition of its World University Rankings by Subject. The report indicates that several Canadian universities are ranked among the global top 100 in multiple subject areas, reaffirming the outstanding strength of Canadian higher education. Notably, the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia (UBC), and McGill University are among the top performers across several broad subject categories. For international students intending to pursue further studies in Canada, understanding the areas of strength at these leading institutions, as well as the latest study permit application process, is essential.
03/31/2025
加拿大快速通道重大调整:劳工批文LMIA在CRS分数中的额外加分正式取消
Major Adjustment to Canada's Express Entry: Extra CRS Points for LMIA Officially Cancelled
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially implemented the latest Ministerial Instructions on March 25, 2025, eliminating the additional 50 to 200 CRS points previously awarded to Express Entry candidates for valid arranged employment. This measure aims to curb illegal activities such as purchasing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), enhance the integrity of the immigration system, and is explicitly stated as a temporary measure.
03/26/2025
加拿大联邦政府大幅提升父母及祖父母团聚移民项目名额
Canadian Federal Government Significantly Increases Quota for Parents and Grandparents Program
The Canadian federal government recently announced a significant increase in the processing cap for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for 2025, raising it to 25,000 applications. This decision reverses the tightening policy announced earlier this year and signifies a new opportunity for sponsors who submitted an interest form in 2020 but have not yet received an invitation to apply. The move aims to better address the family reunification needs of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
03/26/2025
加拿大移民速递:BC省和爱德华王子岛省相继发出省提名邀请,企业家和关键行业人才成重点
Canada Immigration Update: British Columbia and Prince Edward Island Issue Provincial Nomination Invitations, Focusing on Entrepreneurs and Key Industry Talents
Last week, British Columbia (BC) and Prince Edward Island (PEI) issued immigration invitations through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). BC's target is foreign entrepreneurs who have established new businesses or purchased existing businesses in the province, while PEI focuses on talents in key industries and occupations in high demand within the province.
03/25/2025
加拿大留学新政调整:学院本科毕业生(College Bachelor's Degree)不再受专业限制,毕业工签申请迎来利好
Canada Study Permit Policy Adjustment: College Bachelor's Degree Graduates No Longer Subject to Major Restrictions, Offering a Boost to Post-Graduation Work Permit Applications
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a relaxation of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application requirements for College Bachelor's Degree graduates, removing the previous restrictions on fields of study. While this policy is positive news for some international students, new language requirements remain in place, and not all graduates will meet the eligibility criteria.
03/25/2025
加拿大移民部持续发力:快速通道法语类别定向抽选,7500人获邀,CRS分数创近期新低
IRCC Continues Momentum: Express Entry French Category Draw Invites 7,500, CRS Hits Recent Low
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again conducted a targeted draw through the Express Entry system, this time focusing on candidates with strong French language proficiency. A total of 7,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, with the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score set at 379—the lowest in nearly a month. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the draw results, a review of Express Entry draws in 2025 to date, and an analysis of current immigration policy trends.
03/24/2025
Sorry, your request failed
Please try again
OK