IRCC allows students to start post‑secondary studies while awaiting study permit, clarifies joint‑program requirements

IRCC allows students to start post‑secondary studies while awaiting study permit, clarifies joint‑program requirements

Date: 2025-11-24 | Source: IRCC | Program: Study Permit | Urgency: Informational

Summary: IRCC has updated its study permit program delivery instructions, allowing eligible students moving from secondary to post‑secondary education to begin studies at a DLI while their post‑secondary study permit application is pending, and clarifying documentation and compliance obligations for joint programs that lead to a single credential. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a program delivery update on study permits for designated learning institutions (DLIs), posted as operational guidance to staff and stakeholders. The update, dated 2025-11-24, introduces a key facilitation measure for students transitioning to post‑secondary studies and sets out clearer requirements for joint academic programs that result in a single credential. Key changes - Transitioning between levels of study:
- Students moving from secondary to post‑secondary who have submitted their post‑secondary study permit application before their current study permit expiresmay begin their studies at the post‑secondary DLI while the application is being finalized.

- Joint programs leading to a single credential:
- Students require one provincial/territorial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory of the DLI issuing the credential, and one study permit naming the credential‑issuing DLI for the entire duration of studies (or until passport expiry, whichever comes first).
- The credential‑issuing DLI must:
- issue a letter of acceptance (LOA) with no academic conditions required to advance to the next DLI in the joint program,
- complete the LOA verification activity, and
- complete the international student compliance regime report, including reporting on the student when the student is studying at any other DLI that administers part of the joint program.

- Primary and secondary level institutions:
- Removal of prior guidance stating that officers may enter the name of the institution or school district in the “Designated learning institution” field in the GCMS application. Independent analysis - Potential positives:
- The ability to start post‑secondary studies after timely application submission can reduce study interruptions and help institutions maintain enrollment continuity.
- Consolidating joint‑program documentation to a single PAL and a single study permit should streamline processing, reduce confusion, and clarify accountability by placing compliance reporting on the credential‑issuing DLI.

- Potential risks/considerations:
- Students who begin studies before a decision accept academic and financial risk if the application is later refused, which could lead to program disruption.
- Credential‑issuing DLIs face heightened compliance obligations, including reporting on periods when students are physically at partner DLIs, which may increase administrative burden.
- The removal of the GCMS entry note may standardize data entry, but stakeholders will need to ensure internal processes align with the updated instructions. Closing This IRCC program delivery update clarifies how international students and DLIs should navigate transitions to post‑secondary studies and the administration of joint programs. Stakeholders should review the official IRCC instructions published on 2025-11-24 to align admissions, compliance reporting, and student communications with the new guidance.

Tags: IRCC, Study Permit, Designated Learning Institution, DLI, Provincial Attestation Letter, PAL, Joint Program, Letter of Acceptance, LOA, International Students, Canada Immigration, Program Delivery Update, Compliance, GCMS Article summary: IRCC now permits certain students to start post‑secondary studies while awaiting a study permit decision, and sets single‑issuer PAL/permit and reporting duties for joint programs culminating in one credential, while removing a GCMS data entry note for primary/secondary institutions.