New Regulations for Study Permits 2025

New Study Permit Rules Now in Force – November 2024 Changes Explained

Effective November 8, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented new regulations under the International Student Program (ISP). These updates introduce stricter requirements for international students and Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), focusing on enhanced compliance, more transparency, and greater accountability.

Let’s break down the most important changes and what they mean for students and post-secondary institutions in Canada.

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1. Stricter Letter of Acceptance (LOA) Requirements

To reduce fraud and ensure program integrity, the new rules require DLIs to electronically confirm a student’s Letter of Acceptance (LOA) directly with IRCC. If the DLI fails to do this, the application may be returned under Regulation R215.1.

Other key changes:

• R216(1)(e): A study permit can only be issued if the DLI confirms the LOA electronically.
• R219(1): Post-secondary institutions must confirm all LOAs submitted with applications.
• R219(2): Limited exceptions apply where LOAs are not required (e.g., certain government-sponsored programs).

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2. Changing DLIs Now Requires a New Study Permit

Under Regulation R217.1, international students can no longer simply notify IRCC when changing their school. Instead:

• If a new DLI is chosen, the student must apply for a new study permit.
• Under R189.1, a student can only start studies at the new DLI under specific circumstances (e.g., while waiting for permit approval, if eligible).

This significantly alters the flexibility students had under previous policies.

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3. Stricter Conditions for Enrollment and Attendance

The regulations now require students to:

• Stay enrolled at the DLI named on their permit until completing their program (R220.1(1)(a)).
• Avoid switching institutions without following the new process.

Failing to meet these conditions can lead to the permit becoming invalid under R222(1)(a.1) if the student drops out or transfers schools without proper authorization.

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4. DLIs Must Meet New Compliance Obligations

For the first time, DLIs are subject to mandatory compliance conditions:

• R222.1 to R222.5: Institutions must verify student compliance and report as required.
• R222.6: A DLI may be suspended, and any study permits submitted during suspension may be refused or returned.
• Suspended DLIs cannot have student permits renewed under R222.6(3).

This change reinforces the importance of choosing reputable and compliant institutions.

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5. Clarified Processing Guidance by IRCC

Several additional sections of IRCC’s program delivery instructions were updated:

• R221 – Clarifies what happens when students fail to comply with study conditions.
• R220 – Emphasizes the need to prove sufficient financial resources.
• Notes on final refusal decisions were also updated.

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Why These Changes Matter

These regulations reflect IRCC’s goal to:

• Protect international students from fraud.
• Enhance transparency within the International Student Program.
• Ensure that study permits are used as intended—for education, not immigration misuse.

For students, this means more responsibilities. For DLIs, this marks a new era of enforcement and accountability.