Study Permits Updates

As of November 8, 2024, new regulations for the International Student Program (ISP) have come into effect. These changes introduce updated requirements and conditions for study permit holders and Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) at the post-secondary level, including revised guidelines concerning the Letter of Acceptance (LOA).

Updated Program Delivery Instructions – Overview of Regulatory Changes

The following program delivery instructions have been revised to provide guidance on recent regulatory amendments to the International Student Program. These updates address several key areas:

1. Amendments to Letter of Acceptance (LOA) Provisions

• R215.1 – Applications must be returned if the DLI fails to confirm the applicant’s LOA.
  
• R216(1)(e) – A study permit may only be issued to a foreign national accepted by a DLI; for post-secondary DLIs, the LOA must be confirmed by the institution.
  
• R219(1) –
  
  • Post-secondary study permits require LOA confirmation by the DLI.
    
  • All other study permits must include an LOA.
    
• R219(2) – Specifies exceptions to the requirement for an LOA.
  

2. New Requirements for Changing DLIs

• R217.1 – Students whose study permit specifies a DLI must apply for a new permit if they wish to transfer to another DLI.
  
• R189.1 – Outlines the specific circumstances under which students may begin studies at a new DLI while their application to change institutions is in process.
  

3. Amendments to Study Permit Conditions

• R220.1(1)(a) – Students must remain enrolled at the DLI named on their study permit until they complete their program of study.
  

4. Amendments to Study Permit Invalidity

• R222(1)(a.1) – A study permit becomes invalid if a student ceases to be enrolled at the DLI listed on their permit, except in cases where the student has completed their studies.
  

5. New Conditions and Consequences for DLIs

• R222.1 – New compliance conditions have been imposed on DLIs.
  
• R222.2 to R222.5 – Procedures for verifying compliance with these conditions.
  
• R222.6(1) – Establishes the DLI suspension list.
  
• R222.6(2) – Applications submitted during a DLI’s suspension period must be returned.
  
• R222.6(3) – Restrictions on renewing study permits for students at suspended DLIs.

Clarifications and Minor Revisions

In addition to the above, several sections have been updated to clarify processing procedures, including:

• Failure to comply with conditions [R221]
  
• Financial resources [R220]
  
• User remarks and final decision procedures
  

Updated Processing Instructions Include:

• Study permits: Making an application
  
• Study permits: Assessing the application
  
• Study permits: Designated learning institutions
  
• Study permits: Letters of acceptance (LOAs)
  
• Study permits: Other considerations
  
• Study permits: Final decisions
  
• Study permits: Assessing study permit conditions