As of May 1, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented enhanced protocols requiring international students to obtain a new study permit prior to transitioning between educational institutions. This regulatory update, communicated in November 2024, supersedes the former process, which permitted institutional transfers through a simple IRCC online account modification. The revised protocol primarily impacts post-secondary students and necessitates strategic planning, as institutional transitions are contingent upon permit approval. Exemptions have been established for primary and secondary education students and those encountering exceptional circumstances, such as institutional closures.