How to Switch Programs While Studying Abroad in Canada?

Are you feeling worried to realize that the program you applied for isn’t the course that you expected? No need to panic! International students in Canada have the right to Switch Programs While Studying Abroad in Canada as long as their study permit is valid. This means that you can change the university or college you are Studying in Canada after getting a Study Permit. With a Canadian Study Permit in hand, an international student can wish to change his program or course at any time. There is no need to apply for a new Study Permit. However, please also note that you need to fulfill the conditions of your Study Visa after you get admitted into the course or program you want to switch to, you’ve to just inform IRCC. Read this blog post to know more about the steps to Switch Programs While Studying Abroad in Canada. Check it out below!

Switch Programs While Studying Abroad in Canada – Why do you want to switch?

If you’ve finally decided to switch programs, then there are some steps to take to prepare for the switch. Some important questions to consider are:

• Do you want to stay in the same university or a different one?
• Whether your credits will be transferred or not?

Choosing the same university or institute is a safe bet if they are offering the same course or program. But, if you’ve decided to change the university or institute, consider these points as well also:

• Whether the new institute is a Designated Learning center or not?
• What will be the length of time of the new program and whether it corresponds to the study permit also?
• Whether the new course or program supports your program to become a permanent resident of Canada or not?

Switch Programs While Studying Abroad in Canada – Conditions for Canadian Study Permit

You have to inform IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) each time you switch programs or courses in Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) arranges the arrival of immigrants, provides protection to refugees, and offers planning to help newcomers settle in Canada. You have to satisfy the following conditions of the Canadian Study Permit:

• You have enrolled at any Canadian University which has been listed as DLI (Designated Learning Institution)
• You are an active International Student currently learning in Canada.

What Information to update to IRCC?

It is very urgent on your part to inform IRCC in case you’re changing your universities or institutes. Let’s see what type of information to update to IRCC:

• An Online account;
• Your registered Study Permit number
• Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number of your university/institute
• Your new Student Id number (Student Identification number) is mentioned on the new acceptance letter.
• Your starting date at the new university/institute

Process to inform IRCC

You can proceed to make the program or course change through your student portal or by contacting the university directly. If you are switching programs while studying abroad in Canada, inform the Government of Canada through your online account. If you are switching programs while studying abroad in Canada, make sure you are following the correct procedure and satisfying the conditions of Study Permit. Let’s see the conditions or steps to follow while changing programs or courses while studying in Canada:

• Login to IRCC secure account.
• Look for the option “Designated Learning Institution student transfer”.
• Select the option “Transfer from DLI number”
• Enter the Canadian Study Permit application number and click on search for my application.
• You may be asked to enter some extra details from your original Student Permit application. Fill in all the required details.
• Fill in all the required details about your new school or university, your new DLI number, your new Study Id number, and the start date of the new program. Finally, click on submit transfer.
• Lastly, you will be asked to verify all the information you’ve submitted. Check all the information you’ve entered and finally click on Confirm Transfer.
• You’ll receive a message on your phone or notification that the transfer process is complete. It means that you’ve been successful in informing the IRCC about the transfer of university.

Consequences of not informing IRCC

If you’re switching programs while studying abroad in Canada, and not informing IRCC, get ready to face some consequences. Your old institution or university where you originally registered will report you as being not registered in Canada. This means, in other words, you’re breaking the rules of study permit. Face these consequences:

• You may be ordered to exit from Canada.
• This can prevent you from entering Canada again in the future. In the future, your Visa application form may not be approved again.

Adjust to the Switch Programs while Studying in Canada

Once you’ve successfully switched programs while studying abroad in Canada, it’s important to build some good practices for future success. Some common ways to adopt to easily adjust to your new programs are:

• Choose courses or programs that perfectly match your personal life & academic goals.
• Make friends in your new classes so that you have a good support system.
• Try out some different study techniques.
• Know your new institution better.

In the beginning, you’ll find the change or transition a little bit difficult. During this transition time, you’ll have second thoughts about program change or you may feel uncomfortable with these new changes, even if you know that this course change is for the best. However, if you adopt healthy habits from the beginning, it will make the transition to the new program very much easier.

Final Thoughts!

We hope that this blog post has been successful in giving an answer to How to Switch Programs While Studying Abroad in Canada? Canada is a Study Abroad Country for you, so we always recommend to you to keep all your documents, especially visas and permits updated. This blog post has provided all the necessary details if you want to Switch Programs while Studying in Canada. Please like and share this blog!

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