By Lesa 
Migration to a new designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada may be a key move in the life of several international students. Be it due to a better academic program or a place of interest or otherwise personal reasons, it is important to transfer the same in the right manner to remain within the boundaries of the Canadian immigration regulations. An error may jeopardise your right to stay in Canada, and thus it is essential to learn about the process and conditions.
Understanding the Importance of Compliance
When you apply your permit to study it will be assigned to a particular DLI. This entails you supposed to attend the school you have listed in your permit application until you confirm to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about the modification. Not reporting your personal information to the IRCC may have severe repercussions, one of them resulting in loss of a legal status as a student in Canada.
Remaining compliant is about more than simply changing schools. This involves great care to schedules, the terms of your study permit and keeping your papers up-to-date. Even a brief non-compliance can initiate an effect on your future visa or permanent residency application.
Notifying Immigration of Your Transfer
After you have made the selection of transferring, the first thing you should do is to make types of changes to your DLI details in your IRCC online account. It is necessary to do this prior to your study in the new school. In order to do this, you will require information of your new institution including its DLI number. This should assist IRCC to monitor what school you are studying and maintain your study permit valid.
You should also ensure that you do not stop attending your school until you are sure that your transfer has been accepted either through the official channels. In case you have space where you are not undertaking any studies, then it can jeopardize your position as a student. There should be no gap in the studies of students and they should plan the transfer effectively.
Keeping Documents and Records Updated
Keeping your immigration documents updated is crucial. Ensure that your study permit does not expire or expire, take into consideration the time you spent at the new institution. In case it expires soon, file extension well in time before the expiry. Other documents that you are expected to retain include an acceptance letter to the new school and any communication you had with IRCC concerning your transfer.
Coupled with the official documents, it is prudent to have evidence of the fact that you continued being a full-time student during the time of application. This may be in the form of transcripts, tuition receipts and enrolment confirmation letters. It might be possible that required documents can be requested in case IRCC has to clarify your status during or after the transfer.
Getting Professional Support if Needed
Although doing a transfer on your own is a possibility, it is at times useful to discuss it with a professional. To make sure you do not get caught in a cross between different aspects of your immigration endeavors, it is prudent to hire an immigration lawyer Toronto, who makes sure that all the processes and procedures are done right especially when you have some entangling issues like a previous rejection, expiration of the permits or active application to become a permanent resident.
A lawyer can show you your way in case you go out of status accidentally or your transfer is delayed due to some unforeseen events. The help of professionals will make it easier and decrease the chance of making mistakes that will have an indirect but far-reaching impact.
Planning for the Future After Transfer
By the time you transfer, ensure to remember that you were still required to continue with the terms of your studies visa. This is by studying full time in your new DLI and that you are in good academic standing. It will be beneficial should you want to apply for a post-graduation work permit or permanent residency in the future by staying organized with your documents and time tables.
Thinking up ahead also involves being in a position to know how the transfer could influence your immigration plans in the long term. As an example, one could be moved to a new province that would open up avenues under that province’s nominee program. Being knowledgeable will also enable you to take further steps in Canada in using your time in Canada but gradually building up towards your future objectives.
If you do it in the right way and in case you need professional assistance, then you can switch to a new Canadian school without losing the status of a student. Which means that as long as you take care to ensure that your documents, records and IRCC information are updated you will be able to safeguard your stay in Canada and your plans of academic and immigration.