Changing your University before Arrival

[gnomon]

Hello everyone,

I'm from Iran and I was admitted to a PhD program at U of Calgary for the upcoming Fall semester. I submitted an online application for a study permit in early April 2015, which is being processed right now.

Today, I received a letter of acceptance from UBC in the same program, but with a far better funding support and, naturally, I would like to attend UBC. Now, my question is: what do I need to do?

Is there anyone with a similar experience?

 

[gnomon]

Any advice? I'm so confused!

 

[emadkhan333]

From what I have learned, yes you can change your university once you have received the study permit. Contact CIC for more information on this.

 

[Wolfpmd3]

I think you should wait... First of you get your permit then you have one sure option which is Calgary... If they allow you to attend another institution so great there you go... If rejected you should apply back now with the other U... And of course explain why this time you changed U....

Go for what is sure....

 

[gnomon]

I think you should wait... First of you get your permit then you have one sure option which is Calgary... If they allow you to attend another institution so great there you go... If rejected you should apply back now with the other U... And of course explain why this time you changed U....

Go for what is sure....

Thank you so much. Now, if I get my SP, is it possible for me to land in Vancouver and show the POE officer my UBC admission letter, so that he modifies my SP; or first I must land in Vancouver and then change the Sp? BTW, in the worst scenario, what happens if they don't approve my transfer?

 

[th3.rdx]

Hi mate ,

Actually , i donnt think you should inform CIC or change your college before getting your study permit issued or before entry in Canad you can say .

After coming to Canada , you are allowed to change college or uni ,as you want .

There is no such thing as approval or denial in the change of institution.

But you should inform CIC about your change of institution . After coming to Canada , withdraw from your current uni. ( u have to come here first in person ) and get in enrolled in UBC after that .

To inform CIC , create a account in my cic and inform them about the change . There is a option through whicvh you can inform about your change of institution or simply you can them and inform.

Note :- Donn't come at a different province other than your current uni. , this can cause problem in your entry . And don't take any such step like informing them before you enter Canada ( Just a advice , as it can cause trouble or more work ).

 

[gnomon]

Hi mate ,

Actually , i donnt think you should inform CIC or change your college before getting your study permit issued or before entry in Canad you can say .

After coming to Canada , you are allowed to change college or uni ,as you want .

There is no such thing as approval or denial in the change of institution.

But you should inform CIC about your change of institution . After coming to Canada , withdraw from your current uni. ( u have to come here first in person ) and get in enrolled in UBC after that .

To inform CIC , create a account in my cic and inform them about the change . There is a option through whicvh you can inform about your change of institution or simply you can them and inform.

Note :- Donn't come at a different province other than your current uni. , this can cause problem in your entry . And don't take any such step like informing them before you enter Canada ( Just a advice , as it can cause trouble or more work ).

Thanks for your helpful response. I should say that I have already informed UBC admission assistant of my problem, assuming that they would help, did I make a mistake?

 

[th3.rdx]

No , It's fine but don't do anything else .

And stuck with your current uni. unless you get permitted to enter Canada .


There is a very little chance that they might have informed to CIC about this ( UBC ) . In that case , you can say that you were just wondering if you can do that but will continue studies in current uni , if asked by visa officer at port of entry .

Note :- I know it's a bit tricky and doesn't seems a lie . But that's the best way to defend yourself .

You can legally change college or uni. after you come here and no one can question you if you informed CIC .

Unless its stated in your study permit to study in a specific institution only ( very rare chance ).

 

[gnomon]

No , It's fine but don't do anything else .

And stuck with your current uni. unless you get permitted to enter Canada .


There is a very little chance that they might have informed to CIC about this ( UBC ) . In that case , you can say that you were just wondering if you can do that but will continue studies in current uni , if asked by visa officer at port of entry .

Note :- I know it's a bit tricky and doesn't seems a lie . But that's the best way to defend yourself .

You can legally change college or uni. after you come here and no one can question you if you informed CIC .

Unless its stated in your study permit to study in a specific institution only ( very rare chance ).

Hi,

Today, the UBC assistant responded to my query. She said, as you applied only two weeks ago, it is better to inform CIC by sending the new acceptance letter and a short explanation via Case Specific Enquiry. But I'm still afraid it would complicate matters and my application be refused.

Can I first call CIC call center to ask them about this, too?

 

[scylla]

I diagree with what most others have said. Go ahead and tell CIC that you are switching schools and programs now. You are moving from one PhD to another PhD. CIC will have no issues with this change and you should notify them ahead of your arrival in Canada.

Switching schools before arrival in Canada can be a problem if you are dropping to a lower level of education (e.g. you said you were coming to Canada to take a Bachelor degree and are now switching to a diploma). If you do this, CIC may become concerned you are just trying to use the study permit as a means of getting to Canada.

Since you are switching from one PhD to another PhD - you won't have any issues. Include a letter explaining that the acceptance from UBC comes with far more financial support and that UBC was your first choice of universities in Canada (UBC is generally ranked higher than Calgary). I can't imagine CIC will think this is a problem.

 

[gnomon]

I diagree with what most others have said. Go ahead and tell CIC that you are switching schools and programs now. You are moving from one PhD to another PhD. CIC will have no issues with this change and you should notify them ahead of your arrival in Canada.

Switching schools before arrival in Canada can be a problem if you are dropping to a lower level of education (e.g. you said you were coming to Canada to take a Bachelor degree and are now switching to a diploma). If you do this, CIC may become concerned you are just trying to use the study permit as a means of getting to Canada.

Since you are switching from one PhD to another PhD - you won't have any issues. Include a letter explaining that the acceptance from UBC comes with far more financial support and that UBC was your first choice of universities in Canada (UBC is generally ranked higher than Calgary). I can't imagine CIC will think this is a problem.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Your reasoning is quite logical and that's what I personally think I should do, but as you know embassies have their own peculiarities; besides, I heard so many scare stories about unfair refusals and my consultant strongly advised against informing CIC at this time. My other concern is that, as the processing time for my SP is about 4 months, do you think changing the school at this time would further extend that time?

Can I inform CIC via MyCIC right after the issuance of Introduction Letter and before arriving in Canada?

 

[th3.rdx]

Actually brother .. It's totally right to inform them before you come ..

But informing them after getting permit or entry doesn't makes any difference .

As there is no chance of any trouble , but still why take risk .

Still , do what you want it totally depends on you . Informing them before entry is totally right as per rules and regulations . But , informing them after entry is also not a wrong thing to do .

 

[Wolfpmd3]

Hey dude let us know how things work out... I have noticed a lot of people having same trouble as you do..

If someone has some official information about this please share link..

 

[OrcaBayVan]

You should only change after you have arrived.

The process is automated and via online for the change.

Don't complicate things by changing prior to arrival.

Even if there is only a slim chance of a problem why take that chance prior to your arrival?

 

[waleedrafiq]

as all of u says we should inform cic through MyCIC account after getting study permit but notifying them online wouldn't change the old university name on study permit what if the new university does not accept it as that study permit with different university name. at POE the offices can print study permit with new university name