International students arriving in Canada to complete prerequisite courses prior to starting longer programs will now be issued shorter study permits.

Under the updated rules, a study permit is to be issued for only 90 days beyond the length of the prerequisite course(s), according to recent instructions to officers published by the immigration department.

Example (ESL prerequisite → four-year program)

Celina Lavange is conditionally accepted to a four-year bachelor’s program at a designated learning institution (DLI).

Her acceptance is conditional on completing a four-month English as a second language (ESL) course. Celina applies for a study permit prior to traveling to Canada and is issued a study permit valid through to a specified date.

She completes her ESL program, then submits another study permit application for her bachelor’s program from within Canada.

Foreign nationals are advised to apply for a study permit if they are completing prerequisites in preparation for enrollment in a longer program of study, even if the prerequisites are less than six months in duration.

If a study permit is not obtained for the prerequisite study, applying for a study permit from within Canada may not be allowed unless specific exemptions are met.

Instances where applying for a study permit from within Canada is permitted include possessing a valid study permit or work permit, being a spouse or common-law partner of a worker or student in Canada on a valid permit, being an exchange or visiting student, possessing a temporary resident permit with a validity period of six months or more, or being sponsored and having submitted a permanent residence application.