IRCC updates study permit assessment guidance on DLI enrollment, program changes, leave and work rules

IRCC updates study permit assessment guidance on DLI enrollment, program changes, leave and work rules

Summary: IRCC has updated its internal program delivery instructions to clarify how officers assess study permit conditions, including DLI enrollment, program changes, academic progress, leaves from studies, and work eligibility during leaves. The update is informational and may affect both study and work authorization compliance assessments. IRCC on 2026-06-18 released an update to its program delivery instructions titled “Study permits – Assessing study permit conditions,” providing additional guidance for officers. While these instructions are primarily for IRCC staff, they are posted publicly to inform stakeholders. Source: IRCC | Date of update: 2026-06-18 | Urgency: Informational Key elements of the update focus on:
- Assessment of study permit conditions
- Enrolment at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Changing DLIs or programs of study
- Actively pursuing studies
- Progress toward completion of studies
- Leave from studies
- Working during leave from studies

Programs affected: Study Permit, Work Permit Independent analysis:
- Positive impacts: The clarified guidance should enhance predictability for students and DLIs, reduce inadvertent non-compliance, and support more consistent officer decision-making—especially around program changes, temporary leaves, and limited work during leaves.
- Potential concerns: Tighter interpretation of “active pursuit” or “progress toward completion” could increase compliance scrutiny, potentially affecting students who change programs or take leaves without robust documentation. Clarifications on “working during leave” may restrict or condition work eligibility depending on the leave’s nature and documentation, which could impact students’ income planning.
- Practical takeaway: International students and institutions should review the updated instructions to align enrollment status, leave requests, and work activities with the clarified criteria, keeping thorough records to demonstrate ongoing compliance.

Closing: Stakeholders—including students, DLIs, and employers—should consult the updated IRCC instructions to understand how these clarifications may influence study status, program transitions, and work authorization assessments.

Tags: Canada immigration, IRCC, study permit, work permit, DLI, international students, program change, leave from studies, active pursuit, compliance, policy update