Updates for International Students and Graduates in Canada 2025

In 2025, Canada implemented significant changes affecting international students and recent graduates, including new rules for changing schools and updated eligibility requirements for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs).

Whether you are planning to study in Canada, already have a study permit, or aiming to work on a PGWP after graduation, these updates are crucial.

This article delves into the 2025 changes and their implications for international students:

  • New rules for changing schools
  • Restrictions on open work permits for spouses of international students
  • Shrunk study permit cap
  • Increased flexibility for master’s and doctoral students
  • Two-week application processing for doctoral students
  • Overhaul of field of study requirements for post-graduation work permit eligibility
  • Updated cost of living requirement
  • Scaled back student admissions for the upcoming year
  • Crucial information to help students avoid common PGWP errors

New Rules for Changing Schools

At the end of 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced rules mandating international students to apply for a new study permit before changing their designated learning institution (DLI).

Prior to this, students could switch DLIs by informing IRCC online.

In January 2025, new rules came into effect, necessitating international students to include a valid Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) when applying for a study permit extension.

IRCC also introduced interim measures allowing students accepted to a new institution in Winter or Spring 2025 to transfer schools and start studies while their application is pending until May 1, 2025.

These rules emphasize the importance of considering processing times for a new study permit when transferring educational institutions.

Additionally, students applying for PGWPs should be aware that those with study permits before November 1, 2024, are exempt from certain field of study requirements, which may change with a new study permit application.

All international students must now be enrolled in a DLI specified on their study permit.