Study Permit Conditions: Staying Compliant in Canada
Holding a valid Canadian study permit is not enough by itself. Most study permit holders must remain enrolled at the designated learning institution named in their permit, actively pursue their studies, respect any work restrictions, follow the specific conditions printed on the permit and maintain valid temporary resident status. Non-compliance can affect the study permit, future immigration applications and the student's ability to remain in Canada.
What Conditions Must a Study Permit Holder Follow?
A Canadian study permit gives a foreign national authorization to study subject to the conditions imposed by Canada's immigration legislation and any additional conditions appearing on the permit.
For most study permit holders in Canada, the central requirements are to remain enrolled at the designated learning institution named in the permit and actively pursue the authorized course or program of study.
IRCC's current guidance also requires students to respect the rules for changing post-secondary schools, stop studying if they no longer meet the requirements to be a student, and leave Canada when their authorized stay ends unless they obtain another legal basis to remain.
| Condition | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| DLI enrolment | Enrol at the designated learning institution named in the study permit and remain enrolled there until completion, unless an exemption applies. |
| Actively pursue studies | Continue making reasonable progress through the course or program. |
| Authorized leave | A qualifying leave generally cannot exceed 150 days if the student is to remain compliant under IRCC's active-study guidance. |
| Work | Work only when the student meets the applicable regulatory requirements and any conditions on the permit. |
| School change | A post-secondary DLI change generally requires a new study permit naming the new DLI. |
| Status and expiry | Extend or otherwise change status when required, or leave Canada when authorized status ends. |
For the complete study permit framework, see Study Permit Canada: Complete Guide .
What Does IRPR 220.1 Require?
The core statutory conditions for study permit holders are set out in subsection 220.1(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
It requires a study permit holder in Canada to enrol at the designated learning institution named in the permit, remain enrolled there until completing their studies, and actively pursue their course or program of study.
The reference to the DLI named in the permit is particularly important under the current regulatory regime. Post-secondary students can no longer generally transfer to another DLI simply by updating their IRCC account.
Subsection 220.1(4) also creates an evidentiary obligation. A study permit holder must provide evidence of compliance when an officer asks because there is reason to believe the conditions are not being met or as part of a random compliance assessment.
Compliance is not determined only by whether the study permit document has reached its printed expiry date. What the student actually does while in Canada — including enrolment, study activity, school changes and work — can affect immigration status and future applications.
What Does “Actively Pursuing Your Studies” Mean?
IRPR 220.1 requires a student to actively pursue the course or program of study. IRCC assesses this requirement by looking at the student's actual academic circumstances rather than merely whether the person possesses a study permit.
IRCC's current guidance indicates that a student can demonstrate active pursuit by:
- being enrolled full-time or part-time during each academic semester, excluding regularly scheduled breaks;
- making progress toward completing the courses in the program; and
- not taking an authorized leave longer than 150 days.
A student's circumstances may therefore need to be assessed over time. A single transcript, registration record or tuition receipt does not necessarily answer every compliance question.
IRCC can consider enrolment records, transcripts, leaves, withdrawals, suspensions, dismissals and other evidence when assessing whether the student complied with the conditions of the permit.
Do You Have to Study Full-Time?
The study-permit condition to actively pursue studies does not mean that every study permit holder must be full-time in every possible circumstance.
IRCC's current compliance guidance recognizes both full-time and part-time enrolment during an academic semester when assessing whether a student is actively pursuing studies.
However, changing from full-time to part-time study can have important consequences under other immigration rules. In particular, eligibility to work off campus and later eligibility for a post-graduation work permit may depend on separate full-time-study requirements.
Being compliant with the basic “actively pursuing studies” condition does not automatically mean that a student remains eligible for every immigration benefit associated with full-time study. Work authorization and PGWP eligibility have their own requirements.
Work Is Also Subject to Study Permit Conditions
A study permit does not give every student an unrestricted right to work. Work authorization depends on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, the student's circumstances and the conditions printed on the study permit.
Under the current off-campus rules, an eligible student may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic sessions and may work full-time during regularly scheduled breaks when the applicable eligibility requirements continue to be met.
A student on an authorized leave from studies cannot work on or off campus under the normal student work authorization, even if the study permit contains wording that normally permits work.
IRCC provides a specific exception where a school is temporarily closed because of a strike: a student who is otherwise authorized to work on or off campus may remain authorized to work for up to 150 days.
Working more hours than permitted or continuing to work after eligibility ends can constitute unauthorized work and can affect current status and future immigration applications.
The detailed rules are covered separately in Working While Studying in Canada .
Changing Schools Is Now a Study Permit Compliance Issue
The current rules require most post-secondary students to attend the DLI named in their study permit.
If a post-secondary student wants to attend a different DLI, the student generally must apply for and receive a new study permit naming the new institution before beginning studies there.
IRCC provides limited exceptions that can allow a student to begin at a new DLI while the new permit application is being processed, such as certain situations involving a previous DLI that closed, discontinued the student's program, was suspended or lost its designated status.
Because DLI enrolment is now expressly tied to IRPR 220.1 and study permit validity, a school transfer should be planned as an immigration step rather than treated only as an academic decision.
See Changing Schools or DLI on a Study Permit for the current transfer procedure.
Other Conditions Printed on a Study Permit
The general student conditions are not the only restrictions that may apply. An immigration officer can impose, vary or cancel specific conditions on a temporary resident under IRPR 185.
Depending on the case, a study permit may contain conditions concerning:
- the type or level of studies;
- the educational institution;
- the location of studies;
- the times or periods during which studies are authorized;
- work authorization or restrictions;
- medical examination, surveillance or treatment;
- reporting to provide evidence of compliance; or
- the period authorized for the person's stay in Canada.
Students should therefore read the actual document issued to them. A general IRCC rule does not override a valid restriction that specifically applies to the permit holder.
If a student needs to change an applicable condition on the permit, IRCC generally requires an application to change the conditions or extend the study permit.
How Do You Prove You Are Following Your Conditions?
Under IRPR 220.1(4), a study permit holder must provide evidence of compliance when requested by an officer in specified circumstances.
IRCC may make a request because it has reason to believe a student is or was not complying, or as part of a random assessment of study permit holders.
Depending on the issue, IRCC may request:
- official confirmation of enrolment from the DLI;
- official transcripts;
- information about the reason for and dates of an authorized leave;
- information showing when the student withdrew or stopped studying;
- information about suspension or dismissal;
- medical evidence supporting a medical leave;
- evidence that a school closed or stopped offering the program;
- references from people familiar with the circumstances; or
- other evidence an officer considers relevant.
Students should retain enrolment letters, transcripts, correspondence about leaves, program-change records and other important academic documents. Compliance may need to be demonstrated months or years after the underlying event.
How DLI Compliance Reporting Works
Student compliance is not based solely on information supplied by the student. Post-secondary DLIs have mandatory reporting obligations to IRCC.
IRCC's current compliance system requires post-secondary DLIs to report the enrolment status of international students through the DLI Portal when requested.
IRCC currently conducts compliance reporting exercises in March and November. The information is used to assess whether study permit holders continue to meet conditions, including whether they remain enrolled and actively pursue their studies.
Under IRPR 222.1, a post-secondary DLI must provide a requested compliance report setting out the enrolment status of applicable foreign nationals within the prescribed period.
This means that unexplained gaps between what a student reports to IRCC and what the DLI reports can lead to further examination.
What Happens If You Break Study Permit Conditions?
The consequences depend on the condition that was breached and the student's circumstances. Non-compliance should not be treated as a minor administrative issue.
IRCC states that a student who does not meet study permit conditions may lose student status and the study permit and may be required to leave Canada.
Non-compliance can also affect future applications. IRPR 221 provides that a study permit generally cannot be issued to a foreign national who engaged in unauthorized work or study in Canada or failed to comply with a permit condition until six months have elapsed since the unauthorized activity or non-compliance ceased, subject to the exceptions set out in that provision.
| Possible issue | Potential immigration effect |
|---|---|
| Not actively pursuing studies | Finding of non-compliance, possible loss of student status and enforcement consequences. |
| Unauthorized work | May affect status and future study or work permit applications. |
| Unauthorized DLI change | May breach the DLI condition and can affect study permit validity. |
| Permit expires without a timely extension | Loss of temporary resident status; restoration may be available if the statutory requirements are met. |
| Failure to provide requested compliance evidence | Can prevent the student from establishing compliance with IRPR 220.1. |
A student who has already lost status should assess the restoration rules promptly. See Restoration of Student Status in Canada .
Who Is Exempt From the DLI and Active-Study Conditions?
The enrolment and active-pursuit requirements in IRPR 220.1(1) do not apply to every study permit holder.
Subsection 220.1(3) creates exceptions for specified persons and certain family members. IRCC's current guidance identifies groups that can be exempt from having to prove enrolment at a DLI and active pursuit of studies.
Depending on the statutory category, these can include certain:
- refugee claimants and their family members;
- protected persons and Convention refugees;
- accredited representatives and certain family or staff members;
- members of foreign armed forces in Canada on official duties and certain family members;
- student-exchange participants covered by the relevant provisions;
- persons who already hold a study permit and suddenly become impoverished for reasons beyond their control and temporarily cannot continue studying; and
- certain family members of foreign nationals who fall within specified regulatory categories.
An exemption from the DLI enrolment and active-study conditions does not necessarily remove every other condition on the person's study permit. IRCC specifically instructs exempt permit holders to continue complying with the other conditions that apply to them.
Study Permit Compliance Checklist
A student can reduce compliance problems by periodically reviewing the immigration consequences of academic and employment changes rather than waiting until the next permit application.
| Check | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| DLI | Am I enrolled at the DLI named in my current study permit? |
| Academic progress | Am I continuing to make progress toward completing my program? |
| Leave | If I stopped studying, is the leave authorized and within the applicable 150-day framework? |
| Work | Do I currently meet all requirements to work, and am I within the permitted hours? |
| Permit wording | Does my permit contain a specific restriction on my studies, work, location or other activity? |
| Expiry | Will my permit remain valid long enough to complete the program? |
| Records | Could I document my enrolment, academic progress and any authorized leave if IRCC asked me today? |
Study Permit Conditions FAQs
Do I have to remain enrolled while I hold a study permit?
Most study permit holders in Canada must enrol at the DLI named in their permit, remain enrolled there until completing their studies and actively pursue their course or program. Specific regulatory exemptions apply to some permit holders.
Can I study part-time and keep my study permit?
Part-time enrolment can still be relevant to demonstrating active pursuit of studies under IRCC's compliance guidance. However, part-time study can separately affect eligibility to work and eligibility for a post-graduation work permit.
How long can I take an authorized leave?
IRCC's current guidance allows qualifying authorized leaves of up to a maximum of 150 days while remaining within the active-study compliance framework. A deferred student must begin in the next semester if it starts sooner.
Can I work during an authorized leave?
Generally, no. IRCC states that a student cannot work on or off campus during an authorized leave, even if the study permit normally permits work. A specific exception applies to an otherwise work-authorized student during a temporary school closure caused by a strike, for up to 150 days.
How many hours can an eligible student work off campus?
Under the current rules, an eligible student may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic sessions and may work full-time during regularly scheduled breaks, provided all applicable eligibility requirements continue to be met.
Can I change universities without getting a new study permit?
A post-secondary student changing to another DLI generally needs a new study permit naming the new institution. The student normally cannot begin at the new DLI until the new permit is approved, subject to limited exceptions.
Can IRCC ask for proof that I am actually studying?
Yes. IRPR 220.1(4) requires a study permit holder to provide evidence of compliance when requested in the circumstances specified by the Regulations. IRCC may request enrolment records, transcripts, leave documentation and other relevant evidence.
Does my school report my enrolment to IRCC?
Post-secondary DLIs are subject to mandatory compliance reporting. IRCC uses DLI enrolment information to assess whether international students continue to comply with their study permit conditions.
What happens if I violate a study permit condition?
The consequences depend on the violation. Non-compliance can result in loss of student status or the study permit, a requirement to leave Canada, enforcement consequences and problems with future immigration applications. IRPR 221 can also prevent the issuance of another study permit for six months after certain unauthorized work, unauthorized study or other non-compliance ends, subject to its statutory exceptions.
Study permit conditions depend on both the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and the conditions applicable to the individual permit holder. Confirm current IRCC guidance and the wording on the actual study permit when assessing compliance.