Question 1

Start Here: Which Immigration Option May Apply to Me?

Accepted Answer

Use the scenarios below to identify the section that best matches your situation.I am in Canada with a valid study permit and my new program is longer than 6 monthsYou will generally need a new Letter of Acceptance, a new PAL/TAL if required, and a study permit extension changing your DLI. If you meet IRCC’s school-closure conditions, you may be able to begin studying at the new DLI after submitting the application while IRCC processes it.I am in Canada with a valid study permit and my new program is 6 months or lessYou may either formally change your DLI through a new study permit application or determine whether your replacement program qualifies for the short-term study exemption. The short-term exemption applies only if the program is 6 months or less, is not part of a longer program, and can be completed within the period authorized when you entered Canada.My study permit is about to expireSubmit the appropriate study permit extension or application to change or extend your temporary resident status before your current status expires.My study permit already expiredYou may need to restore your status. In most cases, restoration must be requested within 90 days of losing status. You cannot rely on maintained status if you did not submit an application before your permit expired.I am already in Canada as a visitorYou may be able to take a qualifying program of 6 months or less without a study permit. A longer program generally requires a study permit. Most visitors cannot apply for an initial study permit from inside Canada unless they qualify under a specific exception.I am outside Canada and my EC or ILAC study permit was already approvedYou need to submit a new study permit application for the new DLI and receive the new approval before beginning studies at the new school.I am outside Canada and my study permit application is still being processedYou may be able to update the pending application by submitting the new LOA and PAL/TAL, if required, through the IRCC web form.I am outside Canada and have not applied yetApply using the new school’s Letter of Acceptance and the PAL/TAL or CAQ required for that application.My new school does not currently have PALs availableIf your study permit application requires a PAL/TAL, you generally cannot submit the required change-of-DLI application without one. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to wait, choose another eligible DLI, or determine whether a qualifying program of 6 months or less can be completed without a study permit.I am studying in QuebecYou may also need a CAQ. Programs of 6 months or less may qualify for a CAQ exemption, while longer programs generally require Quebec authorization.I need to continue workingDo not change your status or stop studying without first checking how this affects your work authorization. Changing to visitor status does not provide student work authorization.I want to travel outside CanadaIf you plan to rely on the school-closure exception, review your travel plans before leaving Canada. IRCC requires that you have not left Canada since receiving the new LOA in order to use that exception.

Question 2

What happens if I was enrolled in a career college or vocational program affected by the closure?

Accepted Answer

Students who were enrolled in a regulated career college or vocational program affected by the EC or ILAC closures may have additional options through the applicable provincial education regulator. These provincial protection processes are separate from the immigration requirements for changing schools.Students who were enrolled only in an English-language program should refer to the other FAQs on this page regarding changing DLIs, short-term study, study permits, PAL/TAL requirements and, where applicable, Quebec CAQ requirements.If you were studying in British Columbia:The Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) may determine whether a comparable program is available at another certified institution and may appoint a receiving institution to provide the unfinished portion of the program. Depending on the circumstances, an eligible student may be able to continue studies through a comparable-program or train-out arrangement, or pursue a tuition refund claim through the provincial tuition-protection process.If you were studying in Ontario:The Ontario Career Colleges Branch administers the Training Completion Assurance Fund (TCAF). If a registered career college stops operating while a student is enrolled in an approved vocational program, eligible students may be able to complete their training through another approved provider or receive a full or partial refund of eligible fees.If you were studying in Quebec:Students affected by a school closure in Quebec should review their situation separately because Quebec has its own education and immigration requirements. In addition to any provincial education-related remedies that may apply, international students may need to review whether a new CAQ, Letter of Acceptance, study permit application or other immigration document is required before beginning studies at another institution.Important:A provincial train-out, training-completion or refund process does not automatically resolve the student’s immigration requirements. International students may still need a new Letter of Acceptance, PAL/TAL, CAQ, study permit application or other immigration documentation before beginning studies at the receiving institution. Immigration requirements should be reviewed separately before transferring or starting the replacement program.For assistance with the provincial process:British Columbia: Contact PTIRU through the Government of British Columbia.Ontario: Contact the Career Colleges Branch through the Government of Ontario.Quebec: Contact the applicable Quebec education authority and review the current CAQ and study permit requirements before changing institutions.

Question 3

I am in Canada with a valid study permit and want to study at another school for more than 6 months. What do I need to do?

Accepted Answer

If you are changing from EC or ILAC to another post-secondary Designated Learning Institution, you generally need a new study permit for the new DLI.You will normally need to:Obtain a new Letter of Acceptance from the new DLI.Obtain a new PAL/TAL unless you qualify for an exemption.Apply to extend your current study permit and change your DLI.Include a letter explaining why you are changing schools.Submit the required application before beginning studies at the new DLI unless you qualify for IRCC’s school-closure exception.Can I start at the new school before IRCC approves my new study permit?Yes, but only if you meet IRCC’s school-closure conditions.You may begin studying at the new DLI while IRCC processes your study permit extension if:You have already received the new school’s LOA.You have submitted the required study permit extension application.You have not left Canada since receiving the new LOA.You continue to meet the conditions of your previous study permit.Your previous DLI closed, discontinued your course or program, was placed on the suspension list, or lost its designated status before you completed your studies.The closure exception allows you to start studying while the new application is being processed. It does not automatically waive the PAL/TAL requirement.

Question 4

I am in Canada with a valid study permit, but I only need 6 months or less of additional studies. What are my options?

Accepted Answer

You may have more than one option.Option 1: Formally change to the new DLIYou can obtain a new LOA, obtain a new PAL/TAL if required, and apply to extend your study permit while changing your DLI.If you meet the school-closure conditions, you may be able to begin studying at the new DLI after submitting the application rather than waiting for approval.Option 2: Rely on the short-term study exemptionA foreign national may study without a study permit if the course or program is 6 months or less and will be completed within the period of stay authorized upon entry into Canada. The course also cannot simply be part of a longer program that requires a study permit.If your current immigration status will expire before you are ready to leave Canada, you may need a Visitor Record to extend your legal stay. However, a Visitor Record does not itself create or extend your authorization to study.Before choosing the visitor route, consider whether you need to continue working and whether you intend to begin another program afterward. Changing to visitor status can affect your student work authorization and your ability to apply for a future study permit from inside Canada.

Question 5

My study permit is about to expire. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Do not allow your status to expire while deciding what to do next.If you intend to continue studying in a program that requires a study permit, submit the appropriate study permit extension application before your current permit expires.If you intend to remain in Canada as a visitor instead, submit the appropriate Visitor Record application before your current status expires.If your replacement program is 6 months or less, whether you can study without another permit depends on the short-term study exemption. The program must meet the applicable requirements, including being completed within the period of stay authorized upon entry into Canada.Submitting an application before expiry may allow you to remain legally in Canada while IRCC processes it. However, do not assume that every application allows you to continue studying or working.

Question 6

My study permit has already expired. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your study permit expired and you did not submit an extension application before the expiry date, you have lost your temporary resident status and cannot rely on maintained student status.In most cases, you may apply to restore your status within 90 days of losing it if you continue to meet the applicable restoration requirements. If you want to resume studying, you generally need to apply to restore student status and obtain a new study permit.You may need:A new LOA.A new PAL/TAL.A restoration application.A study permit application.The applicable government fees and supporting documents.IRCC expressly requires a new PAL/TAL when restoring status as a student, even where the student intends to remain at the same DLI and same level of study.You normally cannot study or work while the restoration application is being processed. You must generally wait until your status and applicable authorization are restored.Because restoration is time-sensitive, address an expired permit immediately.

Question 7

I am already in Canada as a visitor. Can I study?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the length of the program.If the program is 6 months or lessYou may study without a study permit if the entire course or program is 6 months or less, is not part of a longer program, and can be completed within the period of stay authorized when you entered Canada.If your visitor status will expire before you are ready to leave Canada, you may apply for a Visitor Record to extend your legal stay. A Visitor Record allows you to remain in Canada longer, but it is not a study permit and does not provide work authorization.If the program is longer than 6 monthsYou will generally need a study permit.Most visitors cannot apply for an initial study permit from inside Canada unless they fall within one of the specific categories permitted under IRPR 215. If no exception applies, you generally need to apply using the outside-Canada study permit process.

Question 8

I changed to visitor status but now want to study for more than 6 months. What happens?

Accepted Answer

Most visitors cannot simply change back to student status from inside Canada.If you later want to begin a program that requires a study permit, you will generally need to use the outside-Canada study permit process unless you qualify under one of the specific exceptions in IRPR 215.One important exception applies to a temporary resident who has completed a course or program of study that was a prerequisite to enrolling at a DLI. This does not apply simply because you completed an English-language or short-term program. The completed program must genuinely be a prerequisite for the subsequent DLI program.If your long-term objective is college, university, or another program requiring a study permit, consider that before changing to visitor status.

Question 9

I am outside Canada and my study permit was already approved for EC or ILAC. Can I use that approval for another school?

Accepted Answer

No.If IRCC already approved your study permit application based on an EC or ILAC LOA and you change schools before entering Canada, you must submit a new study permit application with a new LOA and pay the applicable fees again. You will also need a new PAL/TAL if one is required for the new application.You should receive the new study permit approval before traveling to Canada to begin studies at the new DLI.

Question 10

I am outside Canada and my EC or ILAC study permit application is still being processed. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

If your study permit application is still in progress and has not yet been approved, you can notify IRCC that you are changing DLIs.Submit the following through the IRCC web form:The new DLI’s Letter of Acceptance.A new PAL/TAL, if required.An explanation that your original school has closed and that you are changing DLIs.Any other relevant supporting documents.IRCC can then update the pending application with the new school information.This is different from a study permit application that has already been approved.

Question 11

I am outside Canada and have not submitted a study permit application yet. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Apply using the new school from the beginning.You will generally need:A valid LOA from the new DLI.A PAL/TAL if required.A CAQ if you will study in Quebec and one is required.The other documents required for your study permit application.Do not submit an application using EC or ILAC admission documents if you no longer intend to study there.

Question 12

I have a valid study permit but my new school does not have a PAL available. What are my options?

Accepted Answer

The closure of EC or ILAC does not currently create a general exemption from the PAL/TAL requirement.If you are changing to another post-secondary DLI and your study permit application requires a PAL/TAL, you generally need a new PAL/TAL before submitting the application. IRCC specifically requires a new PAL/TAL when changing schools unless a separate exemption applies.If your new school cannot currently issue one, possible options may include:Waiting until the school can issue a PAL/TAL.Choosing another eligible DLI that can support the required application.Determining whether a replacement program of 6 months or less qualifies for the short-term study exemption.Reconsidering your study timeline or future study plans.Do not assume that obtaining a Visitor Record automatically creates another 6 months of study authorization. The short-term study exemption is governed separately by IRPR 188(1)(c).

Question 13

Does the EC or ILAC closure mean I do not need a PAL/TAL?

Accepted Answer

No.IRCC treats the PAL/TAL requirement and the school-closure exception as separate issues.PAL/TAL requirementIf you change to a different post-secondary DLI and submit a new study permit application or extension, you generally need a new PAL/TAL unless you qualify for a specific exemption. IRCC expressly says that, as of January 22, 2025, students changing schools must obtain a new PAL/TAL before submitting the application.School-closure exceptionIf your previous DLI closed or discontinued your program before you completed it, you may be allowed to begin studying at the new DLI while your study permit extension is being processed, provided you meet all of IRCC’s conditions.The closure exception changes when you may start at the new DLI. It does not automatically eliminate the PAL/TAL requirement.

Question 14

I am moving to a school in Quebec. What additional requirements apply?

Accepted Answer

Quebec has separate provincial study authorization requirements in addition to the federal study permit rules.With limited exceptions, a student moving to a school in Quebec must obtain an attestation of issuance of a Quebec Acceptance Certificate, commonly called a CAQ, and submit it with the study permit application.If you already hold a valid CAQ, whether you can reuse it depends on the circumstances. For example, IRCC currently permits a student changing schools at the same level of study to reuse a valid CAQ issued before December 6, 2024.What if my new Quebec program is 6 months or less?Quebec generally does not require a CAQ for a program of 6 months or less. However, if the period of study is part of a program whose total duration exceeds 6 months, the exemption does not apply.Federal immigration requirements must still be reviewed separately, including whether the student qualifies to study without a study permit and whether their temporary resident status will remain valid for the required period.

Question 15

Can I continue working while I move to another school?

Accepted Answer

Do not assume that you can continue working simply because the expiry date printed on your study permit has not passed.Student work authorization depends on continuing to meet IRCC’s applicable conditions. A student who is between schools and is not currently studying may no longer meet the requirements for normal on-campus or off-campus work authorization.If you change from student status to visitor status, the student work authorization associated with your study permit does not continue.If continuing to work is important to you, review your individual situation before changing your immigration status or stopping your studies.

Question 16

Can I travel outside Canada while my change-of-school application is being processed?

Accepted Answer

Travel can affect your ability to rely on IRCC’s school-closure exception.To begin studying at the new DLI while your study permit extension is being processed, IRCC requires that you have not left Canada since receiving the new DLI’s LOA.If you leave Canada after receiving the new LOA, you may no longer satisfy that condition.Your study permit is also not a travel document. Depending on your nationality, you may separately need a valid Temporary Resident Visa, eTA, or other entry document to return to Canada.Review your situation before traveling.

Question 17

I only have a few weeks or months remaining. Do I really need another study permit?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily.If your replacement course or program is 6 months or less, you may be able to study without obtaining another study permit if the program meets IRPR 188(1)(c). That means the program must be 6 months or less and must be completed within the period of stay authorized when you entered Canada.Before relying on this option, consider:Whether the entire replacement program qualifies for the exemption.Whether the program can be completed within the applicable authorized period.Whether you need to continue working.Whether you plan to begin another program afterward.Whether you need to extend your temporary resident status.Whether changing to visitor status would affect your future study permit strategy.A Visitor Record can extend your legal stay in Canada, but it does not by itself create permission to study or work.

Question 18

I want to continue into college or university after my replacement language program. What should I consider?

Accepted Answer

Plan your next program before deciding whether to change from student to visitor status.Most visitors cannot apply for an initial study permit from inside Canada unless they fall under a specific exception in IRPR 215.One exception applies where a temporary resident completes a course or program that was genuinely a prerequisite to enrollment at a DLI. If your language program is formally required for admission to your next program, this exception may be relevant. However, completing any English-language program does not automatically qualify you.If you already have conditional admission to a college or university, review those documents before deciding whether the visitor route is appropriate.

Question 19

My study permit application was submitted before the school closed. Should I withdraw it?

Accepted Answer

Not automatically.If your application is still being processed, IRCC allows you to notify them that you are changing DLIs by submitting the new LOA and PAL/TAL, if required, through the IRCC web form.If your application has already been approved, the rule is different. If you change schools before entering Canada, you must submit a new study permit application for the new DLI.Before withdrawing anything, confirm whether your application is still pending or has already been approved.

Question 20

What if my new program is at the same academic level as my old program?

Accepted Answer

Remaining at the same academic level does not automatically exempt you from obtaining a new PAL/TAL when you change schools.IRCC’s PAL/TAL exemption for certain study permit extensions applies when the student remains at the same DLI and the same level of study.If you change from EC or ILAC to a different post-secondary DLI, you generally need a new PAL/TAL unless another exemption applies.

Question 21

What documents should I collect now?

Accepted Answer

Even if you have not yet decided which immigration option to use, keep the following documents available:Your passport.Your current study permit, if applicable.Your current Visitor Record, if applicable.Your study permit approval letter or Port of Entry Letter of Introduction, if you have not entered Canada.Your EC or ILAC LOA.Any EC or ILAC closure, cancellation, or program-termination notice.Your new school’s LOA.Your current or new PAL/TAL, if applicable.Your CAQ, if applicable.Your most recent date of entry into Canada.Your current immigration status expiry date.The start date, end date, and length of your replacement program.Proof of any study permit extension, Visitor Record, restoration, or other immigration application already submitted.Keep your EC or ILAC records. They may help establish why your studies were interrupted and why you changed schools.

Question 22

Things You Should Not Do

Accepted Answer

To protect your immigration status:Do not assume your existing EC or ILAC study permit automatically transfers to another post-secondary DLI.Do not begin a long-term program at a new DLI without confirming that you are authorized to do so.Do not assume the school closure eliminates the PAL/TAL requirement.Do not allow your temporary resident status to expire while deciding what to do.Do not assume a Visitor Record gives you permission to work.Do not assume a Visitor Record automatically gives you another 6 months of study authorization.Do not assume an eTA or visitor visa gives you status inside Canada or permission to study long term.Do not leave Canada while planning to rely on the school-closure exception without first reviewing the consequences.Do not assume you can automatically change from visitor status back to student status from inside Canada.Do not continue working simply because the expiry date printed on your study permit has not passed if you no longer meet the applicable student work conditions.

Question 23

Has IRCC introduced special immigration measures for EC or ILAC students?

Accepted Answer

As of September 21, 2026, we have not identified an IRCC public policy or special measure that automatically transfers EC or ILAC study permits or creates a general PAL/TAL exemption specifically for students affected by these school closures.IRCC’s existing school-closure provisions may allow certain students already in Canada to begin studying at a new DLI while the required study permit extension is being processed. However, students must still meet the applicable study permit, PAL/TAL, and temporary resident status requirements.This situation may change. Encubate is monitoring official IRCC and provincial government announcements and will update this page if additional measures are introduced.

Question 24

Before You Choose an Option

Accepted Answer

Before submitting an application or changing your immigration status, confirm:Your current immigration status.Your status expiry date.Whether you are currently inside or outside Canada.Whether your EC or ILAC study permit application is pending or already approved.The DLI you intend to attend.The length and exact dates of your replacement program.Whether a PAL/TAL is required and available.Whether you are studying in Quebec and require a CAQ.Whether you need to continue working.Whether you intend to continue into another program afterward.Whether you plan to travel outside Canada during the transition.The correct solution depends on the combination of these factors. Two students affected by the same school closure can require different immigration strategies.

Question 25

Official Government Sources

Accepted Answer

IRCC: Changing your school or programChanging your school or programIRCC: Provincial and Territorial Attestation Letter requirementsPAL/TAL requirementsIRCC: Visitor Record eligibility and changing from student to visitorVisitor Record: Who can applyIRCC: Extend your study permit or restore your statusExtend or restore student statusIRCC: Applying for a study permitStudy permit: How to applyJustice Laws: IRPR section 188, study without a study permitIRPR section 188Justice Laws: IRPR section 215, applying for a study permit after entering CanadaIRPR section 215IRCC: Working off campusWork off campus as an international studentQuebec: Renewing or changing study authorizationsRenewing your authorizations to study in Quebec

EC & ILAC School Closure: Immigration Options for International Students

What EC and ILAC Students Need to Know

How to Use This Page

Important: School Closure Does Not Automatically Transfer Your Study Permit

Short Programs May Have Different Options

Protect Your Status in Canada

Guidance Will Continue to Change

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