New Study Permit Rules for International Students in Canada: What You Need to Know

If you're planning to study in Canada—or you're already enrolled and thinking about changing programs—there's a policy update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you can't afford to overlook. Changes to how study permits are assessed around program prerequisites have created confusion among applicants, and in some cases, unexpected refusals.

This guide breaks down what changed, who it affects, and exactly what you need to do to protect your application.

In February 2026, Canada's immigration department quietly updated its instructions to border officers regarding study permits for a specific group of international students: those arriving to complete prerequisite courses before starting a longer program.

The change is small in wording but significant in impact. If you're planning to study English as a second language, complete bridging courses, or finish any other prerequisite before your main degree or diploma begins, this update affects how long your first study permit will be valid.

Understanding the new timeline; and the steps you'll need to take as a result, can save you from unnecessary complications with your immigration status.

IRCC has placed increased scrutiny on whether international students applying for study permits meet the genuine prerequisite requirements for their chosen program. Under updated assessment guidelines, officers are more closely examining whether an applicant's academic background genuinely qualifies them for the level and type of program they've been accepted into, particularly at the college level.

This means that receiving an acceptance letter from a Canadian institution is no longer sufficient on its own. IRCC officers can and do assess whether the program is genuinely appropriate for your background and whether the institution's admission standards align with your documented qualifications. Applications that appear inconsistent—for example, someone with a primary school diploma applying for an advanced diploma program—face heightened risk of refusal.

The policy shift follows a broader effort by the federal government to reduce what it considers low-quality or mismatched international student placements, and to address concerns about the rapid growth in study permit approvals over recent years. The government introduced a temporary cap on study permits beginning in 2024, and prerequisite scrutiny is one part of a larger integrity framework.

Applicants to private career colleges and certain public college programs are facing the most scrutiny. Graduate certificate and diploma programs that accept students with limited prior education in the field are a particular flashpoint. If you're applying to a program that has broad admission criteria or that admits students without formal credentials in a related subject area, expect more thorough review.

Students changing programs within Canada—going from one field of study to a very different one—are also subject to prerequisite review. If your new program has prerequisites you don't appear to meet, your study permit extension or change of conditions application could be affected.

University applicants are generally less affected, since university admission requirements tend to be more rigorous and better documented. However, this is not a blanket exemption; any application where there appears to be a mismatch between credentials and program level can attract scrutiny.

Before submitting your study permit application, conduct a self-audit. Look at your program's official admission requirements and compare them honestly with your documented credentials. Do your transcripts, diplomas, or certificates clearly demonstrate that you meet the academic prerequisites? Is there a gap you should be prepared to explain?

If your credentials are from a country with a different education system, consider having them assessed through a recognized credential evaluation service like WES (World Education Services) or ICAS. A credential evaluation adds a layer of third-party verification that strengthens your application.

A complete, well-organized application file significantly reduces the risk of unnecessary scrutiny. Include your official transcripts (translated and notarized if not in English or French), your diploma or degree certificate, any relevant professional certifications or work experience documentation, and a well-written Statement of Purpose that clearly connects your background to your chosen program.

That Statement of Purpose is more important than many applicants realize. Use it to explicitly explain why your background qualifies you for this program. If you're making a career change, explain the logical bridge between your previous experience and your new field of study. An officer reading your file should be able to follow the thread clearly.

If you're in the early stages of planning your Canadian study journey, here's how to approach this change:

The adjustment to a 90-day buffer is manageable with good planning. The students most affected will be those who assumed the old rules still applied and didn't build enough lead time into their timelines.

If you submit your application for your main program's study permit while your initial permit is still valid, you'll benefit from something called maintained status. This means you can legally continue studying while your new application is being processed—even if your original permit expires in the meantime.

Maintained status applies specifically when you apply before your current permit expires. Timing matters. Submitting your application early—well before your 90-day buffer runs out—is the safest approach.

Beyond the prerequisite student pathway, there are other circumstances where students and temporary residents can apply for a new study permit without leaving Canada. These include holding a valid current study or work permit, being the spouse or common-law partner of a worker or student on a valid permit, being an exchange or visiting student, and having a temporary resident permit valid for six months or more. Refugees or refugee claimants also have this option available to them.

If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, it's worth confirming with a regulated immigration consultant or lawyer before assuming you need to travel outside Canada.

Under the updated framework, not all institutions carry the same weight. Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) on IRCC's list are eligible to host international students, but that designation alone doesn't guarantee your application will be approved. Research your chosen school's reputation and track record.

If you're unsure whether your credentials genuinely match a program's requirements, consider reaching out to the admissions office directly and asking them to confirm in writing that you meet the prerequisites. That correspondence can be included in your study permit application as supporting evidence.

If your situation is complex; you have unusual credentials, you're changing programs substantially, or you've previously had a study permit application refused, working with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer is worth considering. You can verify a consultant's credentials through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).

Be very cautious about unlicensed "consultants" or agents who promise guaranteed approvals. IRCC has been clear that fraud or misrepresentation in study permit applications results in bans that can affect your ability to come to Canada in the future.

A refusal is not the end of the road, but you need to understand why it happened before reapplying. Request your Global Case Management System (GCMS) notes—a document that shows IRCC's internal assessment of your file—to understand the officer's reasoning. You can request GCMS notes through an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request.

Address the specific concerns identified, gather additional documentation, and submit a stronger application. In some cases, changing to a program that is a clearer fit for your background may improve your chances significantly.

Canada remains one of the top destinations in the world for international students, and a Canadian credential continues to open doors. But the path has become more rigorous, and the cost of a misstep, in time, money, and opportunity, is real. The students who navigate this well are the ones who treat their application with the same care and preparation they bring to their studies.

Until next time,