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Study Permit3 min read

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International students walking on a Canadian university campus in autumn

Changing Your Designated Learning Institution: A New Study Permit Rule

Applicants looking to transfer to a new school in Canada now have to go through a formal process to change their designated learning institution (DLI) and get a new study permit. For international students, this new rule is important because it affects their ability to change schools. In this article, we'll walk through the steps to change your DLI and explain why it's crucial.

what's involved in changing your dli

To change your DLI, you need to apply to the new school and get an acceptance letter. After that, you have to submit a new study permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can do this online or by mail. It's a good idea to check the IRCC website for the latest information on the application process. I've found that the IRCC website can be a bit overwhelming, but it's worth taking the time to navigate it.

Changing your DLI is more than just enrolling in a new school - it requires a formal process and a new study permit. If you don't follow the rules, you might be in trouble with your study permit conditions. This can have serious consequences, like losing your study permit or even being deported from Canada. To avoid these problems, it's essential to understand what you need to do to change your DLI and follow the right steps. For example, I know someone who didn't follow the proper procedure and ended up having to leave the country.

a step-by-step guide to changing your dli

Here's how you can change your DLI: you apply to the new school and get an acceptance letter. Then, you submit a new study permit application to IRCC. You'll need to provide all the required documents, like your acceptance letter and proof that you have enough money. After that, you pay the fees for your new study permit application and wait for it to be processed.

You can find more information on the study permit application process on our website. We have articles on changing from a visitor to a student from inside Canada and Canada study permits for Indian students after the SDS program ended. The IRCC website also has the latest information on study permits and immigration rules.

extending a study permit in canada

If you need more time to finish your studies, you can extend your study permit by submitting a new application to IRCC. Our website has more information on how to do this, including an article on extending a study permit in Canada. One thing to keep in mind is that you should apply for an extension well before your current permit expires.

financial requirements for a canada study permit

To get a study permit, you need to show that you have enough money to support yourself in Canada. Our website has more information on the financial requirements, including an article on Canada study permit financial requirements. It's worth noting that the financial requirements can vary depending on the length of your studies and where you're living in Canada.

The official rules are available on the canada.ca website. This guide is meant to provide independent reference content to help you navigate the process. This article is not a substitute for the official government website, canada.ca

A small portion of this article — research support, fact-cross-checking, and copy-editing — was assisted by AI tooling. Editorial decisions, source verification, and final sign-off remain with our team. We cite primary sources from canada.ca for every factual claim.

Last reviewed: July 18, 2026

IRCC.com is an independent news site and not affiliated with the Government of Canada.

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