Breaking: School Changes Now Count as Leave - 150-Day Rule

New rules improve how international students change schools in Canada

On This Page You Will Find:

• How the new 2024 rule changes school transfers for international students
• Whether changing schools counts as authorized leave under current regulations
• The critical 150-day limit that could affect your student status
• New study permit requirements you must follow to avoid complications
• Work restrictions during school transitions that catch students off-guard
• Graduate student exemptions that could save you time and money

Summary:

Maria Santos thought switching from her college in Toronto to a university in Vancouver would be straightforward. Instead, she discovered Canada's new immigration rules had transformed a simple school change into a complex process requiring a new study permit and careful timing. If you're an international student planning to change schools in 2025-2026, the rules have fundamentally shifted. What once required only a notification to IRCC now demands a complete new application, and yes—changing schools does count as authorized leave under the 150-day rule. This means you have a limited window to make your transition without jeopardizing your student status. Understanding these changes could be the difference between continuing your Canadian education easily or facing unexpected immigration complications.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Changing schools counts as authorized leave but you're limited to 150 days maximum
• Since November 2024, you need a new study permit to change designated learning institutions
• You cannot work on or off campus during any authorized leave period
• Master's and PhD students at public institutions are exempt from Provincial Attestation Letters starting 2026
• Study permit approvals for international students will drop 49% in 2026, making compliance crucial

The immigration landscape for international students in Canada has undergone seismic shifts, and if you're planning to change schools, you need to understand exactly how these new rules affect you. The question isn't just whether changing schools counts as authorized leave—it's how to navigate this process without derailing your entire academic journey.

What Changed in Canada's School Transfer Rules

The most significant transformation came into effect November 8, 2024, fundamentally altering how international students can change schools. Previously, if you wanted to switch from one designated learning institution (DLI) to another, you simply notified Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through your online account. That straightforward process is now history.

Today's reality is far more complex. You must be enrolled at the specific DLI named on your study permit—no exceptions. This means changing schools now requires applying for and receiving a brand new study permit before you can make the switch. It's not just a notification anymore; it's a complete immigration application process.

This shift represents one of the most restrictive changes to student mobility in recent Canadian immigration history. The government's rationale centers on enhanced oversight and ensuring students remain compliant with their authorized study programs.

Does Changing Schools Count as Authorized Leave?

Yes, changing schools definitively counts as authorized leave, but this classification comes with both benefits and serious limitations that every student must understand.

The government recognizes several scenarios as authorized leave, and changing schools sits alongside medical reasons, family emergencies, school closures, and deferred program start dates. This classification means you're not immediately considered out of status when you're between schools—but only if you follow the rules precisely.

Here's what qualifies as authorized leave:

• Medical reasons or pregnancy-related absences
• Family emergencies, including death or serious illness of family members
• School-authorized program deferrals
• Permanent school closures or strike-related shutdowns
• Changing between designated learning institutions

The critical distinction is that authorized leave provides legal protection for your student status, but only within strict timeframes and conditions.

The 150-Day Rule That Changes Everything

The 150-day limit isn't just a guideline—it's a hard deadline that determines whether you maintain your legal student status in Canada. This rule applies to all authorized leaves, including school changes, and exceeding it can trigger serious immigration consequences.

During these 150 days, you're considered to be actively pursuing your studies even though you're not physically attending classes. This grace period allows for the practical realities of transferring between institutions, processing applications, and managing life circumstances that require temporary breaks from studies.

However, immigration officers have discretionary power to refuse future applications if they determine you haven't made reasonable progress toward completing your degree. This risk increases significantly when leaves exceed 150 days or when students take multiple authorized leaves throughout their academic program.

The calculation starts from your last day of active enrollment and continues until you either resume studies or reach the 150-day maximum. If your school change process will take longer than 150 days, you must take action before reaching this limit—typically by applying for a new study permit or making alternative arrangements.

New Study Permit Requirements for School Changes

The November 2024 changes introduced a mandatory study permit application process for any school transfer. This isn't simply updating your information with IRCC—it's applying to extend your current study permit with a new designated learning institution.

This process requires:

• Completing a full study permit extension application
• Providing acceptance letters from your new institution
• Demonstrating continued financial support
• Meeting all current study permit requirements
• Potentially providing a Provincial Attestation Letter (with some exceptions)

Processing times for study permit extensions typically range from 4-12 weeks, depending on your country of residence and current application volumes. During this processing period, you can remain in Canada under implied status, but you cannot work and must ensure your total time between schools doesn't exceed 150 days.

The application fees remain the same as standard study permit extensions, currently $150 CAD, but you'll also need to factor in potential costs for document translation, medical exams (if required), and other supporting materials.

Work Restrictions During School Transitions

One of the most financially impactful aspects of changing schools involves work authorization—or rather, the complete lack thereof during your transition period. The moment you begin an authorized leave, including for school changes, all work privileges are suspended.

This means you cannot:

• Work on campus in any capacity
• Continue off-campus employment
• Participate in co-op programs or internships
• Engage in any form of paid work, even if your study permit explicitly authorizes employment

These restrictions apply regardless of how your study permit is worded and continue throughout your entire authorized leave period. For students who depend on part-time work to support themselves, this can create significant financial pressure during an already stressful transition.

The work prohibition only lifts once you're actively enrolled and attending classes at your new institution. Simply receiving acceptance or even getting approval for your new study permit isn't sufficient—you must be physically participating in your academic program.

Graduate Student Advantages in 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students enrolled at public designated learning institutions received a significant advantage: complete exemption from Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) requirements.

This exemption applies to:

• All master's degree programs at public DLIs
• All doctoral programs at public institutions
• Both new applications and study permit extensions
• School transfers between public institutions for graduate programs

For graduate students, this eliminates one of the most time-consuming and uncertain aspects of the application process. Provincial attestation letters often created delays and added complexity, particularly for students changing provinces or transferring between institutions.

The exemption recognizes the different nature of graduate education and Canada's continued interest in attracting high-level international talent in research and advanced studies.

Immigration Compliance and Risk Management

Immigration officers maintain broad discretionary authority when evaluating any application from students who have taken authorized leaves. Their primary concern centers on whether you're making reasonable academic progress and using your study permit for its intended purpose.

Several factors increase scrutiny of your applications:

• Multiple authorized leaves during your program
• Leaves approaching or exceeding 150 days
• Frequent school changes without clear academic rationale
• Extended gaps between completing one program and starting another
• Patterns suggesting you're using study permits primarily for immigration rather than educational purposes

To minimize risks, maintain detailed documentation of your academic progress, reasons for school changes, and evidence of continuous commitment to your educational goals. Letters from academic advisors, transcripts showing satisfactory progress, and clear explanations of how school changes advance your academic objectives all strengthen your position.

The 2026 Immigration Landscape Reality

The broader context for these rule changes involves Canada's dramatic reduction in international student permits. Annual intakes are projected to fall from approximately 305,000 in 2025 to just 155,000 in 2026—a staggering 49% decrease.

This reduction creates a more competitive environment for all international students, making compliance with existing rules more critical than ever. Immigration officers will likely apply stricter scrutiny to applications, and any violations or questionable patterns could result in refusals that might have been overlooked in previous years.

However, the graduate student exemptions suggest Canada remains committed to attracting students in advanced degree programs, particularly in research-intensive fields that contribute to the country's innovation and economic goals.

Strategic Planning for School Changes

Successfully navigating a school change under current rules requires careful timing and strategic planning. Start your process at least 4-6 months before your intended transfer date to accommodate application processing times and potential delays.

Create a detailed timeline that includes:

• Securing acceptance from your new institution
• Gathering all required documentation for your study permit extension
• Submitting your application with adequate processing time
• Planning for the work prohibition period financially
• Ensuring your total authorized leave stays well under 150 days

Consider consulting with immigration professionals if your situation involves complex factors like changing provinces, switching program levels, or if you've previously taken authorized leaves.

The new landscape for international students in Canada demands more careful planning and stricter compliance than ever before. While changing schools does count as authorized leave, successfully managing this transition requires understanding not just the rules, but the strategic approach needed to maintain your student status and achieve your academic goals.

Your school change decision will impact not only your immediate academic trajectory but also your long-term immigration prospects in Canada. With study permit numbers dropping dramatically and scrutiny increasing, ensuring you navigate this process correctly isn't just about completing your education—it's about protecting your future opportunities in Canada.