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Switching university campus after your study permit is approved

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

Documents Needed

  • DLI (Designated Learning Institution) number confirmation

    Check that both campuses share the same DLI number before assuming a switch is straightforward.

Step-by-Step

If you've already received your study permit but want to attend a different campus of the same institution (same Designated Learning Institution, or DLI, number), group members suggested the following approach.

What to do:
  1. Email the college directly and explain your reason for wanting to switch campuses. Confirm that the new campus has seats available for your intake.

  2. Confirm the DLI number is genuinely shared between both campuses — some schools list multiple campuses under one DLI, but this isn't universal, so don't assume it without checking.

  3. Check the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website for current guidance, since campus-switching rules can be institution-specific and may change.


Because a study permit is generally tied to the DLI, not a specific building or address, switching campuses under the same DLI is usually low-risk — but always get written confirmation from the school first, since your permit conditions depend on staying enrolled at a valid DLI.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Do: Email the school first to confirm seat availability and get their reasoning documented before you switch campuses.
  • Tip: Verify on the IRCC website that both campuses truly share the same DLI number rather than relying on the college's word alone.

Have a question about this? Join the discussion.

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