30-05-2014
In an effort to heighten the protection of Canada’s international reputation for high-quality education, the new regulations reduce the potential for fraud or misuse of the program. The new rules will come into effect as of June 1st, 2014, and intend to improve services to genuine students who are seeking a highly valued education in Canada.
The news rules will:
- limit the issuance of study permits to applicants who will be studying at a designated learning institution including institution that are designated by provinces and territories based on meeting minimum standards;
- require students to vigorously pursue their studies while in Canada; and
- allow full-time international students enrolled at designated institutions in certain programs to work part-time off campus and full-time during school breaks without a work permit.
While studying in Canada, all students must actively be pursuing studies. This means that if you hold a study permit, you must remain enrolled and make reasonable progress towards completing your program, and failing to do so could lead to your removal from Canada. Your educational institution will report your enrollment and academic status directly to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Under the new rules, your study permit will become invalid 90 days prior to your academic completion. If you are planning to study in Canada for 6 months or less, a study permit is not required.
In order to attend a designated learning institution, the new rules state that you will need to have a letter of acceptance by the institution.
If your application for a study permit is received before June 1, 2014, and your letter of acceptance is from an institution that is not designated for international students:
- your application will be processed and you may still practice in your program of study at that institution for the duration of your study permit; and
- you will be able to renew your study permit in order to complete your program, but not after June 1, 2017.
If you were issued a study permit before June 1 and are studying at an institution that is not designated for international students:
- you will be able to pursue the program of study that you are enrolled in for the duration of your current permit; and
- you will be able to renew your study permit in order to complete your program, but not beyond June 1, 2017.
If the institution you are studying at loses its status as a designated learning institution after you have already been issued a study permit:
- you will be able to pursue the program of study that you are enrolled in for the duration of your current permit; and
- you will be able to renew your study permit in order to complete your program, but not beyond June 1, 2017.
Applying for a study permit ON or AFTER June 1st, 2014, you will need to identify the institution by its designated institution number on the application form. The identification number for each designated institution can be found on the CIC website. The list of designated institutions is searchable by province, city, and by school name, making it easier for international students to find their school on the list. Applicants should note that elementary and secondary schools do not appear on this list, as they are automatically designated and do not require an identification number.
The applicant must also meet the standard criteria to be eligible for a study permit. These include having proof of being able to pay for tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any family member who joins you in Canada, and return transportation for yourself and any family member who joins you in Canada.
If you chose to change learning institutions on or after June 1st, you must notify the CIC of this change.
If you are an individual who is currently in Canada as a visitor and would like to apply for a study permit at a designated institution, you can do so from within Canada. Foreign nationals who will be able to apply for a study permit from within Canada as of June 1st are:
- minor children studying at the primary or secondary level;
- exchange or visiting students; and
- students who have completed a short-term course or program of study that is a condition for acceptance at a designated institution.
FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
