Canada Updates Study and Work Visa Rules for International Students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially updated its guidance for international students. The revised guidelines introduce much stricter and clearer rules regarding study permit validity, changing schools, work rights, authorized leave, and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.

The primary goal of this revised guidance is to clarify existing requirements and help students maintain their legal status while pursuing their education in Canada.

Study Permits May Expire 90 Days After Graduation

According to the new rules set by IRCC, a study permit will now expire on the earlier of two dates:

• The expiry date printed directly on the permit, or
• 90 days after a student officially completes their studies.

The crucial 90-day countdown begins the moment the educational institution first confirms program completion. This confirmation can come in the form of an email, an official letter, a transcript, or the moment the student receives their degree, diploma, or certificate.

This means students who finish their academic programs earlier than expected may lose their study permit status long before the printed expiry date on their physical document.

New Study Permit Required for Many School Transfers

IRCC has also clarified the rules around transferring institutions. Post-secondary students looking to transfer to another Designated Learning Institution (DLI) generally must apply for a new study permit by extending their existing one.

In the majority of cases, students are strictly prohibited from beginning their studies at the new institution until their new permit is officially approved, although certain limited exceptions do apply. IRCC states that it is currently processing eligible DLI transfer applications within an average of 60 days.

However, students who are simply changing programs within the same institution generally do not require a new study permit, provided they continue to meet the fundamental conditions of their existing permit. IRCC issued a stark warning that changing institutions without following the required legal process could result in permit cancellation, loss of legal status, forced removal from Canada, or severe difficulties with any future immigration applications.

Work Restrictions During Authorized Leave

International students remain eligible to take an authorized leave of absence of up to 150 days under specific circumstances, provided the leave is formally approved by their educational institution.

However, IRCC has firmly reiterated that students cannot work on or off campus while on authorized leave, or while in the process of transferring schools if they are not actively studying. Engaging in unauthorized employment is a serious violation that may lead to the immediate loss of student status, the refusal of future study or work permit applications, and possible removal from Canada.

Temporary Worker Study Policy Ends

In a significant policy shift, IRCC also confirmed that the temporary public policy allowing certain foreign workers to study without a separate study permit expired on June 27, 2026. Individuals wishing to continue studying must now comply with the standard, pre-pandemic study permit requirements unless they qualify for a specific alternative exemption.

PGWP Rules Clarified

The updated guidance also tightens the rules surrounding the highly sought-after Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). It makes it abundantly clear that students completing non-credit programs are generally not eligible for a PGWP, except for certain qualifying flight school programs. Furthermore, general-interest and self-improvement courses are strictly excluded from PGWP eligibility.

IRCC emphasized that simply graduating from a Designated Learning Institution does not automatically guarantee that a student qualifies for a PGWP. It is the student's responsibility to verify that both their specific institution and their chosen program meet all PGWP eligibility requirements before making long-term post-graduation plans.

Ultimately, this updated guidance places a much greater emphasis on strict compliance with study permit conditions throughout a student’s entire stay in Canada—whether they are transferring schools, taking an authorized leave, or seeking employment after completing their program.