Understanding How Study Permit Restrictions Apply When You Want to Study at a Different School in Canada

One of the most common questions we receive involves students who hold a valid study permit for one Designated Learning Institution but want to take a short program at another school. Many students assume that as long as they have a valid study permit, they can freely study at any institution. This is not the case.

Canadian law ties the validity of a study permit to specific conditions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). Visa officers and compliance units assess international students based on these conditions, which must be met at all times.

Below is a clear explanation of what students can and cannot do in Canada depending on their situation.

1. Studying at another school while still attending your primary DLI

If you remain actively enrolled and attending classes at the DLI listed on your study permit, you may study at another school for up to 6 months. This is permitted because your main obligation is still met. The additional program cannot interfere with your primary enrollment or cause you to stop attending your main program.

Legal basis: IRPR 220.1(1) and 220.1(2) require students to remain enrolled and actively pursuing studies at the DLI for which the permit was issued.

2. Studying at another school during an authorized break

If you are still enrolled at your primary DLI but on an approved break, IRCC allows a maximum break of 150 days. During that period, you may take a program at another school. However, you must resume your original program as soon as the break ends, and your total break cannot exceed 150 days.

Legal basis: IRCC Program Delivery Instructions on Actively Pursuing Studies and IRPR 220.1.

3. If you are no longer studying at the DLI on your study permit

Your permit becomes invalid for study the moment you stop attending the school for which it was issued. Even if the document has not expired, its conditions are no longer met. You must either apply for a new study permit with a Provincial Attestation Letter from the new institution or switch to visitor status to take a short course.

Legal basis: IRPR 222(a) states that a study permit becomes invalid when the student stops the program for which the permit was issued. IRPA 29(2) requires temporary residents to comply with all conditions at all times.

4. If you switch to visitor status

Visitors may study in Canada without a study permit for up to 6 months, regardless of whether the program is in person or online. Once the six-month period ends, the student must leave Canada or already hold a newly approved study permit if they intend to continue studying.

Legal basis: IRPR 188(1)(c).

No difference between online study and in-person study for people inside Canada

A common assumption is that online study “does not count” toward the six-month limit. This is incorrect. If a person is physically inside Canada, studying online is treated the same as studying in person.

IRCC applies the same rules because the activity is still considered study under IRPR, and the conditions of your status apply regardless of modality.

Why this matters

These rules affect thousands of students each year and create unintended violations when students study longer than permitted or study without meeting the conditions of their permit. Violations can lead to loss of status under IRPR 222 and future immigration complications.

Summary

• Your study permit only authorizes study at the DLI for which it was issued.

• You may take short-term programs at another school only if your primary enrollment is still in good standing.

• Authorized breaks cannot exceed 150 days.

• If you stop attending your primary DLI, your study permit is no longer valid for study.

• Visitors can study for up to 6 months.

• Online study from inside Canada is treated the same as in-person study.

This is an area where misunderstandings are common. Clear guidance helps students remain compliant and protects their future immigration pathways. If you want this broken down into a visual or simplified guide for your students or staff, I can prepare that as well.

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