Here Is How International Students In Canada Can Change Their DLI
Last Updated On 16 August 2023, 9:39 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
Yes, international students can change/switch their Designated Learning Institution (DLI) after landing in Canada on a study permit.
This is totally normal, and international students can legally change their educational institution, but it needs to be done correctly.
If not done correctly without informing the IRCC, you are not complying with your study permit conditions and may face trouble applying for your work permit after graduation or be deported to your home country.
Table of Contents
This article briefly explains how you can change your DLI after landing in Canada.
When can international students change their DLI
You can change your DLI while your study visa application is in progress, once it is approved (but you are still outside Canada), OR after landing in Canada and getting your study permit at the airport.
You can change your DLI prior to starting your classes for the intake you took admission in OR even after completing the first semester.
International students usually have one hundred and fifty days from the time they stop attending classes at their present college or university to enroll in a course at another DLI.
How to change the DLI
Whenever you make a decision to change your post-secondary institution, you are required to inform IRCC.
However, there is no need for you to make any adjustments to your study permit requirements.
You need to follow the easy steps listed below:
Step 1
Secure an offer letter for the new course or college/university in Canada. This is the first step in making the changes.
Colleges/universities may take some time to give an offer letter, so it is recommended not to make any other move until you get this.
Step 2
Login to your GCKey account that you used to apply for a study visa in the first place. Most of the students apply through agents/consultants and do not have GCKey credentials.
In such a scenario, they can either ask their agent/consultant for GCKey credentials if they have one, OR students can create a new GCKey account and link their study permit application.
Click here for step-wise guide to create your GCKey account.
After logging into your GCKey account, under the ‘Transfer from DLI number’ section, click on ‘Designated Learning Institution Student Transfer‘
Step 3
Enter your current study permit application number and then click the ‘Search for my application’ button.
Study permit number starts with the word ‘S’ is located in the upper right-hand corner of your permit.
Only if required, you may have to provide additional information about your original study permit application, as mentioned below:
Step 4
Enter your new DLI number, your new Student ID number, and your new school’s start date as mentioned on the new acceptance letter that you secured in Step 1. Then click on the ‘Submit Transfer’ button.
After clicking on ‘submit transfer’ you will be prompted to review the details you entered about the new DLI.
After reviewing the information, you can click on ‘Confirm Transfer’ to finish the process.
The confirmation that your request has been fulfilled will appear on your screen, as shown in the snippet below.
That’s it. Your transfer to the new DLI is now complete.
Can I switch my DLI while in Canada?
Yes, international students in Canada can change their DLI or program, but they need to follow the proper process of informing IRCC about the change.
Failing to do so may result in removal from Canada as well as complexities in applying for a work permit after graduation because you did not comply with your study permit conditions.
The post Here Is How International Students In Canada Can Change Their DLI appeared first on Immigration News Canada.
