Immigration
New Regulation on Changing Schools for Post-secondary Study Permit Holders
SFU is actively engaging with the provincial and federal governments, national organizations as well as IRCC to seek clarity on this new immigration regulation of changing Designated Learning Institution (DLI), and to understand the impacts and next steps for our international students. While we navigate these changes that are evolving quickly, we will keep updating this webpage as soon as additional information becomes available.
On November 15, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a new immigration regulation on students transferring and or changing schools at the post-secondary level. The previous process of allowing students to change institutions by completing a DLI number transfer via the IRCC secure account has ended.
The key changes impacting students are the New Study Permit Requirement for Changing DLI:
- Starting November 8, 2024, students must now apply for a new study permit if they intend to change institutions (including students changing from high school to post-secondary institution).
- Students must be enrolled at a DLI that is named on their study permit.
- Failing to secure a new permit before transferring could result in permit cancellation.
- According to the information currently on the IRCC website, students may only start at a new DLI before receiving approval of their new study permit in rare circumstances.
- you will join SFU from a Canadian high school or another post-secondary institution in Canada, you must have a new study permit before starting at SFU.
- Current processing times for in-Canada study permit application are approximately 15 weeks. This means that study permits for most students joining for January 2025, if not yet applied, would likely not be approved until early March 2025.
If you will join SFU and one of the following circumstances applies to you, you will not be impacted and may start your studies at SFU without having to apply for a new study permit:
- Your current study permit has “Simon Fraser University” listed as the institution name; or
- You have applied for a study permit with SFU’s Letter of Acceptance (LOA) prior to November 8, 2024.
Current SFU students:
If you plan to change programs or level of study (e.g. a bachelor's degree to a master's degree) within SFU, you are not impacted by this new requirement and don’t need to change your study permit. You can continue studying as long as your current study permit remains valid, and you meet the study permit conditions.
Who will be impacted?
For incoming students who will join SFU from a Canadian high school or another post-secondary institution in Canada, please review the information below as the impact of this new requirement may differ based on your individual situation.
1. If you applied for a study permit extension prior to November 8, 2024 without submitting an SFU’s LOA:
If your study permit application is still in process:
You need to upload a copy of your SFU’s LOA via IRCC’s webform as soon as possible and request your study permit to be issued based on your new program of study at SFU.
If your study permit is already approved and issued on or after November 8, 2024:
If your new study permit does not have “Simon Fraser University” listed as the institution name, you must apply again with SFU’s LOA and be approved for a new study permit before starting your studies at SFU.
2. If you applied for a study permit on or after November 8, 2024:
You must have a new study permit before you can start your studies at SFU. If you did not include a LOA from SFU as part of your study permit application, you should upload it to IRCC webform as soon as possible.
3. If you have not applied for a new study permit:
You must have a new study permit before you can start your studies at SFU. We recommend preparing the supporting documents and apply for a new study permit with SFU’s LOA as soon as you can.
Applying for a new study permit:
If you are currently in Canada, in most cases, you must apply online for a new study permit. Here are tips on applying for a study permit within Canada:
- Follow the steps here to apply online via the IRCC secure account. The application process is the same as of applying for study permit extension within Canada.
- Make sure that you include your SFU’s LOA as part of your application.
- To apply for a study permit to be processed within Canada, you do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from SFU.
- You must also include a letter of explanation addressing why you plan to change or transfer to SFU.
- If you will join SFU from a high school, you may explain to the officer that you plan to study at SFU to pursue your undergraduate degree.
- If you will transfer from Fraser International College (FIC), you should include the study permit supporting letter that has been provided by FIC.
- If you will transfer to SFU from another post-secondary institution, you should demonstrate that you have been actively pursuing your studies (i.e. being enrolled in each academic session) at your previous/current institution and by transferring to SFU, you are working towards completion of your studies in Canada.
- Upload this letter under the “Client Information” section in your online document checklist
- Upon approval, your new study permit will be mailed to your Canadian mailing address that is indicated on your study permit application.
- Apply for a new study permit as soon as you receive your LOA from SFU to minimize delay as a result of IRCC processing times.
Depending on your individual circumstance, you may also be eligible to apply for a study permit to be processed outside Canada. If you have questions about the study permit application process or would like to discuss your application option, please contact one of our International Student Advisors, Immigration Specialists for assistance.
We understand that this regulatory change presents a challenge, and you may have additional questions or concerns that are unique to your situation. SFU is committed to supporting you throughout these changes to help transition you to our university and we are here to assist you with exploring your options and practical solutions.
If you have been admitted to SFU for the Spring 2025 term as an undergraduate student, you should have received a targeted email from SFU informing you about the next steps. Please refer to your email for detailed information, next steps, and resources to support your transition to SFU.