International Students in Canada: Compliance

Table of Contents

• Actively Pursuing Your Studies
• Reporting
• Conditions
• Study Permit Renewal
• Transferring Schools
• Expired Study Permits
• Lost Study Permits
• Taking a Semester Break
• Regular and Scheduled Breaks
• Contact the Cohen Immigration Law Firm for Assistance

Actively Pursuing Your Studies

Study permit holders are required to actively pursue their studies. You should be enrolled in a full-time or occasionally part-time credit-load to be considered actively pursuing your studies. However, in order to work in Canada on a study permit, you will need to maintain full-time status.

Each institution determines its own definition of full-time studies. However, full-time studies usually mean a minimum of 9 credits (3 courses) per semester.

Reporting

As required by law, Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) periodically report on each international student’s enrollment status to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Conditions

Canadian immigration officers impose conditions on your study permit. These may include one or more of the following:

• the type of studies or course you may take;
• the educational institution you may attend;
• the location of your studies;
• the time and period of your studies;
• the times and places at which you shall report for medical examination or observation;
• the times and places at which you shall report for the presentation of evidence of compliance with applicable conditions;
• the prohibition of engaging in employment; or
• the duration of your stay in Canada

Failure to comply with these conditions can have serious consequences.

Study Permit Renewal

You must apply before the expiration of your study permit if you would like to continue studying in Canada. Schools recommend you apply at least three months before the expiry of your status, to allow for processing time. If you apply for extension, you must stay in Canada and meet the conditions of your original study permit (i.e.: you cannot quit school and begin working).

Transferring schools

In the new regulatory environment for Canadian study permits, international students must follow a greater number of rules when choosing to transfer schools. 

Note that IRCC must always be informed by a student when transferring schools in Canada. Failure to do so comes with penalties including (depending on the severity of the case) possible rejection of future study permit extensions, the issuance of removal orders, and even a ban on entering Canada. 

The following table provides a breakdown of required procedures for international students to change their school of choice based on their situation. 

*Study permits of international students who finish their studies early and who are transferring from the secondary to post-secondary levels will no longer be valid for 90 days after the completion of their studies—regardless of the date shown on the original study permit. 

In many cases, international students will need to apply for a new study permit before starting their studies at a new DLI. 

Students in Canada may only begin studying at their new DLI before the issuance of a new study permit if:

• Before completing their previous course at their old DLI, the old DLI:
  • Closed; or
  • Discontinued the course or program of study; or
  • Was placed on a suspension list; or
  • Lost its designated status. 
• They continue to meet the conditions of their previous study permit; and 
• They have remained in Canada since they received a letter of admission (LOA) from their new DLI.

Special measures for students transferring schools between January 1 and May 1, 2025

IRCC has introduced interim measures for students who have been accepted to a new DLI for the winter or spring 2025 semesters. These measures are in place as a courtesy to students who transferred schools before IRCC announced the updated protocols for schools transfers in Canada. 

Under these interim measures, students may begin to study at their new DLI, even before the issuance of a new study permit if they:

• Have been accepted to the new DLI for the winter or spring intakes (January 1 to May 1, 2025);
• Have already applied for a study permit extension;
• Have a study permit that remains valid, and which does not have the name of the new DLI printed on it;
• Meet all the conditions of their existing study permit. 

Expired Study Permits

If you study permit expires and you have not applied for an extension, you must stop studying and/or working immediately, as you will be considered out-of-status.

If you fall out-of-status, you must apply for a restoration of status. You will have 90 days from the day your study permit expires to apply for this restoration. This application can only be done inside Canada and you will need to remain in the country until a decision is made on your application for restoration of status. The restoration process can take several months and there are no guarantees that your application for a new study permit will be successful.

Lost Study Permits

You will need to ask for a replacement by launching an application called a “verification of status or replacement of an immigration document.” In these cases you may continue studying in Canada but you should not leave until you obtain a copy of your study permit.

Taking a Semester Break

If you would like to take a semester off, it could affect your study permit and ability to work. Check with your international student advisor if you would like to take time away from your studies.

Regular and Scheduled Breaks

A regular or scheduled break is defined as a summer holiday, reading week, winter holiday, or transition period between graduation and receiving a post-graduation work permit. According to IRCC, a consecutive four-month break can only be taken:

• once in a calendar year; and
• students must have had full-time enrollment before and after the term that is considered a scheduled break.

Contact the Cohen Immigration Law Firm for Assistance

Do you need assistance studying in Canada? The Cohen Immigration Law Firm can help. Cohen Immigration Law offers over 45 years of Canadian immigration expertise.

Please contact us to schedule a free telephone consultation with one of our lawyers.

Get a Free Legal Consultation