In an effort to improve compliance and lower fraud, Canada is proposing new regulations that would force overseas students to reapply for study permits whenever they transfer institutions.

Owing to suggested modifications to Canada’s international student programme, a recent statement published in the Canadian Gazette has drawn attention.

A crucial suggestion is that foreign students need to apply for a new study permit if they want to switch their designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. The only Canadian schools authorised to admit foreign students are DLIs, and they are subject to particular rules.

DLIs are now governed by provincial laws, and there are no federal oversight mechanisms in place to guarantee that new admittance rules are followed.

Proposed Changes:

– Before beginning the new programme, students who are moving DLIs must apply for a new study permission.

– If they stay in Canada and abide by the other terms of their present study permit, students can attend the new DLI without a valid study permission until a decision is made.

Impact on International Students:

– A $150 financial cost and 30 to 45 minutes of labour are required for each new application, for a total Present Value (PV) of $55.5 million over a ten-year period.

– Increased applications may result in longer processing times; however, this is anticipated to be mitigated by resource reallocation.

– Administrative burden and uncertainty may disrupt academic plans.

Impact on DLIs:

– Verification of Letters of Acceptance (LOAs) will incur compliance and administrative costs estimated at $4.8 million PV over a ten-year period.

– Each application should take three minutes to verify the LOA at first, but as institutions get used to the procedure, it should only take 30 seconds.

Adoption of Changes:

– A 30-day consultation period on the proposed amendments is now underway and ends on July 29, 2024. Before the policy is finalised, input from a range of stakeholders will be taken into account, including student representative organisations, national education associations, DLIs, and provincial and territory governments.

– A number of regulations, including the LOA verification procedure that went into effect on December 1, 2023, were enacted as a result of earlier deliberations on the International Student Programme.

The comments collected and the ensuing policy decisions made by the authorities will determine whether or not these adjustments are adopted in the future.