Program delivery update: Study permits – Designated learning institutions (DLIs)

November 24, 2025

The following updates have been made:

• Additional instructions were added to the “Transitioning between levels of study” section: Students who are transitioning from secondary to post-secondary studies and have submitted their application for a post-secondary study permit prior to their current study permit expiring may begin their studies at the post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI) while they wait for their application to be finalized.
• Clarifications to the policy for international students in a joint program that results in a single credential.
  • Students pursuing a joint program that results in a single credential require:
    • one provincial/territorial attestation letter from the province or territory of the DLI issuing the credential and
    • one study permit for the DLI issuing the credential for the entire duration of their studies (or for the duration of their passport validity, whichever comes first).
• The DLI issuing the single credential must:
  • issue the letter of acceptance (LOA) with no academic conditions required to advance to the next DLI in the joint program
  • complete the LOA verification activity
  • complete the international student compliance regime report, which includes reporting on the student when they are studying at any other DLI that is part of the administration of the joint program
• Removal of the following in the “Primary and secondary level institutions” section: Officers may enter the name of the institution or school district in the “Designated learning institution” field in the GCMS application.

Updated instructions

• Study permits: Designated learning institutions (DLIs)