CANADA

If you are an international student in Canada and want to change your college or university, you cannot simply start studying at the new institution using your existing study permit in most situations. Since November 8, 2024, international students generally need to obtain a new study permit for their new Designated Learning Institution (DLI). In 2026, changing your DLI also has specific PAL/TAL requirements, so it is important to understand the process before leaving your current school or starting at a new institution.

1. What Is a Study Permit Extension for a New DLI?

A Study Permit Extension for a New DLI is the process an international student follows when they are already in Canada with a valid study permit but want to continue their studies at a different Designated Learning Institution. The student must apply to extend their current study permit and provide the required documents for the new DLI. IRCC currently states that students changing schools need to get a new study permit for the new institution before starting studies there, except in certain specific situations.

2. Can You Change Your DLI on Your Existing Study Permit?

Generally, no. If you are changing your post-secondary DLI, you cannot simply use your existing study permit to start studying at the new institution. You need to apply to extend your study permit and obtain a new study permit for the new DLI. This is an important change from the previous process, so students should not rely on older information saying they can freely change schools using the same study permit.

3. Do You Need a New PAL/TAL When Changing DLI?

In most cases, yes. IRCC currently states that students changing schools must obtain a new Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) before submitting their study permit application, unless they qualify for an applicable exemption. This requirement has been in place for students changing schools since January 22, 2025. The PAL/TAL is linked to the institution and the province or territory where the student plans to study, so the PAL/TAL from the previous institution generally cannot simply be transferred to the new DLI.

4. What Is the Difference Between Same DLI and New DLI?

The PAL/TAL rules are an important difference between the two situations. If a student is extending their study permit at the same DLI and same level of study, IRCC currently lists that situation as PAL/TAL exempt. However, when a student changes to a different DLI, IRCC states that a new PAL/TAL is generally required before submitting the application, unless an exemption applies. Therefore, students should not treat a new-DLI extension as the same process as a same-DLI extension.

5. When Should You Apply for a New-DLI Study Permit Extension?

If you are changing schools, you should apply for the new study permit before you finish your studies at your current school. IRCC recommends applying before your current study permit expires, and students should plan the process early enough to obtain the required documents from the new DLI, including the appropriate PAL/TAL when required. Waiting until the last moment can create problems if the new application is incomplete or additional documents are required.

6. Can You Start Studying at the New DLI Before Your New Study Permit Is Approved?

In most cases, you must wait for the new study permit to be approved before starting at your new DLI. However, IRCC currently provides limited situations where a student may begin studying at the new DLI while the new study permit extension is being processed. These situations include cases where, before completing the current program, the previous DLI closed, discontinued the student’s course or program, was placed on the suspension list, or lost its designated status. The student must also meet the other conditions specified by IRCC, including having received the new DLI’s letter of acceptance, remaining in Canada and continuing to meet the conditions of the previous study permit.

7. What Happens If You Change Schools Without Informing IRCC?

Changing schools without following the required process can have serious immigration consequences. If your previous school reports that you are no longer registered or enrolled, you may be considered to have violated the conditions of your study permit. IRCC states that your study permit may become invalid or be cancelled, and you may be asked to leave Canada or change your status. It could also affect future applications for study permits or work permits. Students should therefore complete the required process before changing their DLI rather than simply enrolling at another institution.

8. What Documents Are Required for a New-DLI Extension?

The exact document checklist can depend on the student’s circumstances, but a student changing their DLI should be prepared to provide a valid letter of acceptance from the new institution and a new PAL/TAL if required. IRCC also specifically asks students changing schools to include a letter explaining why they are changing schools. Other documents may include the current study permit, passport, financial documents and additional supporting documents requested during the application. Students should always follow the personalized document checklist generated for their application.

9. Why Is the Letter of Explanation Important?

When changing a DLI, IRCC requires a letter explaining why the student is changing schools as part of the application. The explanation should accurately describe the student’s circumstances and the reason for choosing the new institution. Students should avoid providing vague or misleading information. The explanation should be consistent with the student’s academic history, current studies and documents submitted with the application.

10. What Should You Check Before Choosing a New DLI?

Before changing institutions, students should confirm that the new school is actually listed as a Designated Learning Institution. IRCC specifically advises students to check the DLI list before committing to a school and applying for a study permit extension. A school being an educational institution in Canada does not automatically mean that it has the required DLI status for international students.

11. Can You Change to a Different Program at the New DLI?

Changing both the institution and program can create additional considerations. Students should make sure that their new program is eligible for international students and that the new institution can provide the required letter of acceptance. Depending on the level and type of program, different PAL/TAL rules or other study permit requirements may apply. Students should therefore check the requirements for the specific new DLI and program before submitting the application.

12. What If You Change Your DLI but Stay at the Same Level of Study?

Changing your DLI is still treated as a school change even if you remain at the same level of study. For example, moving from one bachelor’s program at one institution to another bachelor’s program at a different institution is still a DLI change. Under current IRCC rules, a new PAL/TAL is generally required when changing schools unless the student qualifies for an applicable exemption.

13. What If You Change Your DLI and Your Level of Study?

Changing both the DLI and level of study can involve additional requirements. IRCC states that when extending a study permit at a different DLI or different level of study, a new PAL/TAL is generally required unless a specific exemption applies. Students should therefore not assume that the documents used for their previous study permit will be sufficient for the new application.

14. What If Your Current DLI Loses Its Designated Status?

If your current DLI loses its designated status while you are studying there, IRCC provides a specific process for affected students. You may continue studying at the institution until your current study permit expires, or you may transfer to another DLI. If you choose to change schools, you need to apply for a new study permit with the documents associated with the new DLI. In certain eligible situations, you may be allowed to begin studying at the new DLI while the application is being processed.

15. What If Your Current School Closes or Discontinues Your Program?

If your current DLI closes or discontinues your program before you complete your studies, IRCC has specific provisions that may allow you to change to another DLI. Students in these circumstances may be eligible to start studying at the new institution while their new study permit extension is being processed, provided they meet all of IRCC’s stated conditions. This is different from voluntarily changing schools for personal or academic reasons, where students generally need to wait for approval of the new study permit before starting at the new DLI.

16. Can You Continue Studying at Your Current DLI While the New Application Is Processing?

If your current study permit remains valid and you continue meeting its conditions, you can generally continue studying at your current DLI while your new study permit application is being processed. However, if you are voluntarily changing schools, you should not begin studying at the new DLI until your new study permit is approved unless you fall under one of the specific exceptions provided by IRCC.

17. What Happens If Your Study Permit Expires During Processing?

If you submit your extension application before your current study permit expires and remain in Canada, you may generally continue studying under the conditions of your current permit while IRCC processes the application. However, the rules surrounding starting at the new DLI are separate. Applying for the extension does not automatically mean that you can immediately begin studying at the new institution. You must follow the specific IRCC rules for changing schools.

18. Can You Travel Outside Canada While Your New-DLI Application Is Processing?

Students should be cautious about travelling outside Canada while their study permit extension is being processed. A study permit is not itself a travel document, and the ability to return to Canada depends on the student’s individual circumstances and possession of the required travel documents. Before travelling, students should check the current IRCC requirements for re-entry because leaving Canada can affect their ability to continue their studies and return to Canada.

19. What Happens After Your New Study Permit Is Approved?

Once your new study permit is approved, you can begin studying at the new DLI according to the conditions of the new permit. Students should review the new study permit carefully to ensure that the information and conditions are correct. They should also keep their letter of acceptance, PAL/TAL and other application documents for their records.

20. What About Students Changing Schools in Quebec?

Students changing to a school in Quebec may have additional requirements because Quebec has its own immigration documentation system. In many cases, students moving to a Quebec institution need an appropriate Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) in addition to meeting the federal study permit requirements. There are specific exceptions and rules depending on the type of institution and situation, so students already studying in Quebec should check the current Quebec and IRCC requirements before changing schools.

21. Is There Faster Processing for Students Changing Schools?

IRCC currently provides a faster processing option for certain students changing to a new post-secondary DLI. Eligible students can have their study permit extension application processed in 60 days if they follow the specific instructions provided by IRCC and identify themselves as students residing in Canada who are changing their DLI. Students should not assume that every new-DLI application automatically receives this processing time; they must meet the applicable requirements and follow IRCC’s instructions when applying.

21. What Is the Government Fee for a Study Permit Extension?

The government fee for a study permit, including an extension, is currently CAD $150. Additional government fees may apply in particular situations, such as restoration of status, if the student has lost their status. Students should check the current IRCC fee information before submitting their application.

22. Common Mistakes When Changing a DLI

One of the biggest mistakes is starting classes at the new DLI before obtaining the required new study permit. Another common mistake is assuming that the PAL/TAL from the previous institution can be reused when changing schools. Students should also avoid changing schools without informing IRCC, submitting an incomplete explanation for the change or choosing an institution without confirming its DLI status. Because violating study permit conditions can have serious consequences, students should complete the required immigration process before making the change.

Final Thoughts

Changing a DLI in Canada is not simply an academic decision; it can also affect your immigration status and study permit conditions. If you are planning to move from your current institution to a new DLI, you generally need to apply for a new study permit by extending your current one and provide the documents required for the new institution.

The most important 2026 rule to remember is that changing schools generally requires a new PAL/TAL before submitting the study permit application, unless you qualify for an applicable exemption. You should also remember that, in most voluntary DLI changes, you cannot start studying at the new institution until your new study permit has been approved.

Because a DLI change can affect your study permit, student status and future immigration options, students should carefully review their individual circumstances and the latest IRCC requirements before changing institutions.