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Switching colleges after arriving in Canada on a study permit

Canada • Study Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • New Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number

    Must be updated with IRCC when you change schools.

Step-by-Step

A member asked whether you can switch colleges after arriving in Canada, and what the process looks like. Members shared two levels of thoroughness:

  1. The formally recommended process: it's not just about your new school being a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) — also look into the new college's reputation/privacy practices, contact the new college directly before transferring, and get approval from IRCC before finalizing the switch.

  2. What one member actually did in practice: they simply dropped the course at their original college, joined the new one, and called IRCC to update their DLI number on file — describing this as sufficient in their case.


Both experiences point to the same minimum requirement — updating your DLI number with IRCC — but differ on how much additional diligence (researching the new college, getting prior approval) is wise. Given that outcomes can depend on your specific study permit conditions and current IRCC guidance, treat the more thorough approach as the safer default, and confirm your specific case with IRCC directly rather than assuming the minimal approach will always work.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Do: Update your DLI (Designated Learning Institution) number with IRCC whenever you switch colleges.
  • Tip: Research the new college's standing and contact them before transferring, rather than assuming any DLI-listed school is a safe switch.
  • Tip: Confirm with IRCC directly whether prior approval is needed for your specific situation before finalizing a transfer.

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