Study Permit Changes, IEC Work Permit Provisions and Other May 2025 Canada Updates

Students Required to Apply for New Study Permit if Changing Schools

The majority International students in Canada will now be required to apply for a new dedicated study permit if they wish to change schools.

This is a continuation from previous interim rules put in place by IRCC from November 2024. Prior to this date, most international students could change their designated learning institutions (DLIs) by simply updating their information on their online account.

However, the majority of international students will now have to be approved for a new permit before changing DLIs.

Note that not all students moving between DLIs will need to apply for a new permit. These include those who are moving from primary to second levels or changing DLIs within primary or second levels.

Students wishing to change DLIs who are affected by the new rules are encouraged to apply for a new study permit with as much notice as possible, and always at least 30 days before their permit’s expiry date.

Students must also include key documents with their applications such as proof of acceptance at their new DLI, proof of academic standing, and a letter explaining the reason for changing schools.

Note that students will also not be able to start studying at their new DLI until they have their new permit approved unless specific conditions are met, such as if their previous DLI was closed suspended, or their course was discontinued.

Additional Work Permit Applications Simplified for IEC Participants

IRCC have simplified the process of issuing new work permits to International Experience Canada (IEC) participants who wish to take part in an additional round.

Previously, work permits for the scheme would not be mailed out to Canadian addresses, which meant that IEC participants wishing to continue with the scheme would have to to leave and re-enter Canada.

However, work permits can now be mailed directly to participants in Canadian addresses, assuming that certain criteria are met.

These include the following. Participants must:

• Have been in Canada with a valid IEC work permit when they submitted their application for an additional participation
• Currently hold a valid IEC port of entry Letter of Introduction
• Have status in Canada at the time of application for the new permit

This new interim policy will remain until 1 December 2025, after which it may undergo a review.

IEC participants wishing to apply for another permit are advised to apply with as much notice as possible, as they can generally take around four to six weeks to process.

Mark Carney Reaffirms Reduced Immigration Targets Through to 2027

Mark Carney, the recently-elected Canadian prime minister, has reaffirmed his party’s intentions to reduce Canada’s immigration targets over the next couple of years.

In a press conference not long after his successful election to the post, Carney confirmed the Liberal Party’s aim to reduce permanent and temporary resident figures as laid out in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan back to “sustainable levels”.

The plan, amongst other things, aims to reduce the number of permanent residents admitted into Canada by 395,000 2025, which will then decrease to to 380,000 in 2026 and then 365,000 in 2027.

Carney also confirmed that the proportion of temporary residents in Canada’s overall population will also be reduced to around 5% from 7.3% by 2028, rather than 2026 as originally laid out in the IRCC plans.

Other measures that Carney will oversee in his new cabinet also include constructing more housing using Canadian and Indigenous workers, increasing Francophone immigration outside Quebec, and strengthening border controls and visa screenings.

Lena Metlege Diab Named New Immigration Minister

Lena Metlege Diab has been named as Canada’s new Immigration Minister in the wake of the Liberal Party’s re-election.

Diab is the Canadian Member of Parliament for Halifax West and succeeds Rachel Bendayan, who was previously elected to the role in March earlier this year.

Diab has previous experience working within the immigration space for the government, having previously served as Novia Scotia’s Minister of Immigration where she made significant contributions to developing the province’s immigration program, as well as devising new investor-based immigration streams.

How Can IAS Help With Your Canadian Immigration Application?

IAS have a team of immigration consultants and caseworkers experienced in the field of Canadian immigration.

Our CICC-qualified immigration consultants can help you with numerous facets of Canadian immigration, including skilled worker, family, student or provincial-based immigration.

We can also give close guidance and support on Express Entry and the CRS, helping you to maximise your chances of being accepted for one of Canada’s prestigious immigration programmes.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help on your situation today. Call us on +1 844 290 6312 or reach out to us online.