Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated and expanded its guidance for international students, clarifying rules around study permit validity, changing schools, authorized leave, work rights, and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility. Many of the requirements already existed, but the updated guidance gives students clearer instructions on maintaining legal status while studying in Canada.

Many of the requirements already existed, but the updated guidance gives students clearer instructions on maintaining legal status while studying in Canada.

IRCC says a study permit expires on whichever comes first: the expiry date printed on the permit or 90 days after a student completes their studies.

The 90-day period begins when the school first notifies the student that the program is complete, such as through an email, letter or transcript, or when the student receives their degree, diploma or certificate.

This means students who finish their programs early cannot assume their study permit remains valid until the date printed on it.

IRCC also makes clear that post-secondary students changing to another Designated Learning Institution (DLI) generally need to apply for a new study permit by extending their current permit.

Students usually cannot begin studying at the new institution until the new permit is approved, although IRCC provides exceptions in certain situations. The department is currently offering 60-day processing for eligible students changing post-secondary DLIs.

Changing programs at the same institution is generally different from changing DLIs, provided the student continues to meet the conditions of their study permit.

Students moving from secondary school to a post-secondary institution must also follow the applicable study permit requirements for their new DLI.

IRCC warns that changing schools without following the required process can result in a student violating their permit conditions, having the permit cancelled, being required to leave Canada or facing problems with future immigration applications.

International students can take an authorized leave of up to 150 days in qualifying circumstances while continuing to meet their study permit conditions.

Students may need to provide evidence that their institution approved the leave. IRCC may also request documents confirming enrolment, the reason for the leave and when it began.

ImmigCanada Immigration Consulting Services also advises that repeated periods of leave may raise questions about whether a student is actively progressing through their studies.

IRCC states that students on an authorized leave cannot work on or off campus, even if their study permit normally allows them to work.

The same restriction applies when a student is changing schools but is not currently studying. Work can resume after studies restart and the student again meets the eligibility requirements.

Unauthorized work can lead to loss of student status, problems with future study or work permit applications and a requirement to leave Canada.

A temporary policy that allowed certain foreign workers to study without obtaining a separate study permit expired on June 27, 2026.

The measure applied to eligible people whose work permit or qualifying extension application had been submitted on or before June 7, 2023. Those wishing to continue studying after the policy ended must now follow the normal study permit rules unless another exemption applies.

IRCC’s current PGWP guidance also explicitly states that students who complete a non-credit program of study are not eligible for a PGWP, with an exception for qualifying flight school programs.

General-interest and self-improvement courses are also excluded. In most cases, students must complete a PGWP-eligible program lasting at least eight months and meet the other applicable requirements.

IRCC stresses that graduating from a DLI alone does not automatically make someone eligible for a PGWP. Students should therefore check whether their institution and specific program meet PGWP requirements before relying on the permit as part of their plans after graduation.

The updated guidance places greater emphasis on maintaining study permit conditions throughout a student’s time in Canada, including during school transfers, leaves and the period immediately after completing a program.

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