What international students need to know about their Canadian immigration status now
By Antonio Aragón
Your experience in Canada should have been more positive. You have been building plans, friendships and a life here, and the sudden closure of your school (ILAC, EC or other) has shaken your sense of what comes next.
I was once an international high school student myself. I remember how much I relied on my host family, school staff, advisors and the people that helped make that experience possible. I know how frustrating and frightening it can be when the support you count on is suddenly gone.
You deserve clear information to help you make sound decisions. With this post, I’m hoping to get you started.
General Provisions
The closure of your school does not automatically cancel your immigration status or mean you must leave Canada immediately. Your next steps depend on the length and type of your program, the status you hold in Canada and when that status expires.
To start, make sure you gather all your documents: That includes your passport, study permit or visitor record, original letter of acceptance, tuition receipts, academic records and any messages you have received about the closure. Keep collecting information as it becomes available and keep track of special dates and deadlines.
If you are in Canada on a study permit, do not assume you can continue working while your studies are interrupted. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states students cannot work on or off campus during an authorized leave caused by a permanent school closure.
IRCC may recognize an interruption of up to 150 days, but that is a maximum, not a reason to wait. Your permit may expire sooner.
With those first steps in mind, let’s look at what may apply to you based on your immigration status, the length of your program and the kind of school you attended:
If You Are Studying As A Visitor
Some students in programs of six months or less do not need a study permit. Your school’s closure does not end your authorized stay, but you need to make sure you know when that time expires. The expiry date on the visa in your passport is not the same thing as permission to remain in Canada. Before enrolling elsewhere, confirm that the new course qualifies for study without a permit and fits within your authorized stay.
If You Are In A Language Program
If you were studying English as a Second Language (ESL), make sure you check your email, including your junk folder, for a message from Languages Canada. It is arranging placements for affected language students and posting updates on its ILAC support page. Its placement support applies to language programs, so check the details before accepting a separate offer from another school. If you hold a study permit, also confirm what changing schools means for your permit. (languagescanada.ca, canada.ca)
If You Are In A High School Program
Find out where you can continue your studies and how your credits and records will transfer. If you are a minor, involve your parent or guardian now, especially if the school arranged your accommodation and/or custodianship. Check the conditions on your study permit, if you have one. The rules for changing schools at the secondary level differ from those for postsecondary students.
If You Are In A College Program
Ask about your transcript, remaining tuition, possible transfer and whether a new program meets your longer term goals. A postsecondary student changing to another designated learning institution (DLI) generally needs to apply to extend their study permit. IRCC has an exception that may allow a student whose school closed to begin at the new institution while the application is being processed, but only if all its conditions are met.
If your program includes a co-op or internship, keep copies of your placement agreement, hours worked and any records showing what you completed. If your placement hasn’t started, is underway or is nearly finished, check whether you can continue working and how the closure affects your program completion. Don’t assume your placement remains authorized because your employer wants you to stay.
College students in Ontario and British Columbia should also check their province’s tuition protection process: canada.ca, ontario.ca, privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca
Your Circumstances May Be Unique To You
You may be completing a second program in Canada, planning to change your status, nearing your permit’s expiry date or completing a co-op placement. Your previous studies and future plans matter as much as the school closure itself.
For an individual assessment please reach out, we would be more than happy to work with you. You can contact me on LinkedIn or at thinklynx@mail.com for more details. Include your program, the status you hold, when your documents expire and what you hoped to do next.
Useful links:
- Languages Canada
- IRCC’s study permit conditions
- school change guidance.
- Ontario’s career college guidance
- British Columbia’s student claims guidance.
- GuardMe
- ontario.ca
- privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca
Antonio Aragón, RCIC – #R521677 – Member of the team at Your Canadian Story.
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