If your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) loses its status or closes entirely, IRCC grants you a 150-day grace period to either transfer to a new approved DLI or change your legal status in Canada. Under rules introduced in late 2024, transferring to a new DLI requires you to apply for a new study permit, which involves a $150 CAD processing fee.
International students invest thousands of dollars and years of their lives to study in Canada. Every student on a valid study permit must attend a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)-a school approved by the provincial government to host foreign students. However, occasionally, a private college may go bankrupt, face a regulatory crackdown, or have its DLI designation revoked by the province.
If you wake up to an email stating your school in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal has lost its DLI status, it is a terrifying moment. 🔍 The most important thing to know is that you will not be immediately deported. Generally, Canadian immigration law provides a clear, structured grace period to help you navigate this crisis and legally transfer to a new, approved institution.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada for Displaced Students
Handling a DLI revocation requires fast, documented action. Do not ignore the problem, as failing to act will lead to the cancellation of your study permit.
Step 1: Verifying the DLI Status and Rules
First, confirm the news by checking the official IRCC DLI list online. 📂 If your school’s status is officially revoked, you have two options depending on the situation: If the school remains open (but lost the ability to take new students), you are usually allowed to finish your current program of study as long as your existing permit remains valid.
However, if the school physically closes its doors or you need to extend your permit to finish the degree, you can no longer do so at that institution. You must prepare to leave the school.
Step 2: Utilizing the 150-Day Grace Period
If your school closes, IRCC gives you exactly 150 days from the date of closure to take action. 🕑 During this time, you have legal status in Canada, but you must immediately stop working off-campus. Because you are no longer actively enrolled in a full-time program, your legal authorization to work 24 hours a week instantly vanishes.
You must use this 150-day window to apply to a new public college or approved private university and obtain a new Letter of Acceptance (LOA).
Step 3: Transferring to a New DLI
Once you secure an LOA from a new, valid DLI, you must officially apply for a new study permit. 📝 Under IRCC regulations, you can no longer simply update your DLI number online for free; you must submit an application for a new study permit and pay the standard processing fee. Crucially, unless you meet an exemption (such as pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree at a public institution), post-secondary students must also obtain a new Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) from the province or territory of their new school and include it with their application. Without this letter, IRCC will return your application as incomplete.
Because your previous school closed, you are generally allowed to start classes at your new DLI while waiting for a decision on your application, provided you have submitted a complete transfer application. If you fail to apply for a new study permit to reflect your transfer, your previous school will report you as “no longer attending,” and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may issue an exclusion order against you.
Step 4: Extending or Changing Status (If Necessary)
If your study permit is expiring soon, or if you cannot find a new school within the 150 days, you must apply to extend your permit or change your status to a Visitor Record. 📍 If you apply to extend your study permit to study at a different DLI, you will still need to secure a valid PAL or TAL to support your application. Alternatively, changing to a visitor record allows you to legally remain in Canada while you figure out your next steps, but you cannot study or work.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
A school closure is financially devastating, as you must often pay new application fees to secure a spot at a different institution.
- New Study Permit: Applying for a new study permit to change your DLI costs $150 CAD under current IRCC rules.
- Study Permit Extension: If you need more time to finish your new program and must extend your permit, the IRCC fee is $150 CAD.
- Restoration of Status: If you accidentally pass the 150-day deadline and lose your status, applying for restoration costs $246.25 CAD (plus the $150 permit fee).
- New School Tuition: Securing a new LOA usually requires a tuition deposit ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 CAD, depending on the public college or university.
| Action Required | IRCC Government Fee | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for New Study Permit | $150 CAD | Before starting new school |
| Apply for Visitor Record | $100 CAD | Within 150 days of closure |
| Restore Lost Student Status | $396.25 CAD Total | Within 90 days of losing status |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The 150-day countdown begins the exact day the school ceases operations or your enrollment is terminated. 🕑 Securing a new Letter of Acceptance from a reputable Canadian institution typically takes 2 to 6 weeks. Submitting your new study permit application online is straightforward, but processing the new permit can take 45 to 90 days inside Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I still get a PGWP if I transfer schools?
It depends entirely on the new school. To be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you must graduate from a PGWP-eligible program (usually at a public college or university). If you transfer to another private college that is not PGWP-eligible, you will not get the work permit.
Can I work off-campus while I look for a new school?
No. Your authorization to work is strictly tied to being a full-time student at a valid DLI. The moment your school closes or you stop attending, you must stop working immediately. Working without authorization is a severe violation of Canadian law.
Will I get my tuition money back from the closed school?
In many provinces, like Ontario and British Columbia, private colleges are required to contribute to a student protection fund (like the Training Completion Assurance Fund). If the school goes bankrupt, you may be entitled to a partial refund or a subsidized transfer to another school.
What if I cannot afford to transfer to a new DLI?
If you cannot secure a new LOA within the 150-day window, you must either apply to change your status to a temporary visitor (which restricts you from studying or working) or book a flight to leave Canada before your grace period expires.
Do I need a new study permit if I transfer to a new province?
Yes. Under current IRCC regulations, any transfer between different post-secondary Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs)-whether in the same province or a new one-requires you to apply for and obtain a new study permit.
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