Few questions on transferring university

[kvn]

Hey all,

My friend's brother is accepted to the University of Regina but the agent told him that he can't switch universities because the high commissioner said so. Is there such a rule for that?

Other than that , is he allowed to switched to a different institution in a different province?

Thanks,
Kvn

 

[Bs65]

A quick Google search assuming no other restrictions you have not shared

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-postsec.asp

 

[scylla]

His agent is either lying or doesn't know what he's talking about. There is no such rule.

 

[chrbrow]

Could be that the agent is drawing a commission from the University of R. and therefore is trying to swindle ...

 

[kvn]

Could be that the agent is drawing a commission from the University of R. and therefore is trying to swindle ...

Seems this is the most likely case. Although I found out a more worrying case that the agent managed to trick him into signing a letter that basically states he's going to study in that Uni and that he has no intention of switching.

I'm not sure of the weight of that letter and if it's enforceable at all. What do you guys think?

 

[chrbrow]

If it were I, or one of my clients, I would definitely look into challenging that premise. If your brother hasn't paid tuition yet, then I can see why the agent is going after him. Normally the commission to the agent is paid when the university is paid. This is usually bond by the non-disclosure agreement that the agent and the client sign, dictating that the client must apply to the university through the agency and not directly to the university. This is how the commission is earned. As far as the University is concerned, they don't care one way or another. So in the end, your brother is breaking his contract with the agent, which has nothing to do with his status as a temporary resident or study permit. So long as your brother has an acceptance letter from a DLI and is fully enrolled, he will validate the conditions of his study permit. Again, I would challenge the authority of the agent and if it comes down to it, read the fine print of the NDA and see if it is actually worth fighting in arbitration. By no means limit yourself to the University of R based on what your agent is telling you. Another tip would be to directly apply to the DLI of your choice instead of going through an agency.

 

[varunnarayan]

UofR is one of the lowesr ranked university in the Canadian academic list. I'm not surprised that your agent has instructed you not to change the university.

 

[kvn]

If it were I, or one of my clients, I would definitely look into challenging that premise. If your brother hasn't paid tuition yet, then I can see why the agent is going after him. Normally the commission to the agent is paid when the university is paid. This is usually bond by the non-disclosure agreement that the agent and the client sign, dictating that the client must apply to the university through the agency and not directly to the university. This is how the commission is earned. As far as the University is concerned, they don't care one way or another. So in the end, your brother is breaking his contract with the agent, which has nothing to do with his status as a temporary resident or study permit. So long as your brother has an acceptance letter from a DLI and is fully enrolled, he will validate the conditions of his study permit. Again, I would challenge the authority of the agent and if it comes down to it, read the fine print of the NDA and see if it is actually worth fighting in arbitration. By no means limit yourself to the University of R based on what your agent is telling you. Another tip would be to directly apply to the DLI of your choice instead of going through an agency.

Yea, I have already advised my friend to tell his brother to come to Canada first and then transfer to another University.

 

[chrbrow]

That's a good plan, but be sure he MUST be enrolled in a DLI in order to qualify as a student. If he stops attending school, or leaves one school and doesn't get into another, he will be violating the conditions of his stay, which will lead to more problems for him in the future.

 

[DimT44]

That's a good plan, but be sure he MUST be enrolled in a DLI in order to qualify as a student. If he stops attending school, or leaves one school and doesn't get into another, he will be violating the conditions of his stay, which will lead to more problems for him in the future.

Sorry for bringing this up from an old post. It just came up in my search results first.
I'm just wondering why you say MUST be enrolled. Isn't there a 150 days period where one can be in transition?
Sorry if the rules have changed since then. Thanks!

 

[canuck78]

Sorry for bringing this up from an old post. It just came up in my search results first.
I'm just wondering why you say MUST be enrolled. Isn't there a 150 days period where one can be in transition?
Sorry if the rules have changed since then. Thanks!

Rules changed this summer making it harder to change schools since too many international students were switching to easier courses after getting their permit,

 

[DimT44]

Rules changed this summer making it harder to change schools since too many international students were switching to easier courses after getting their permit,

Thanks @canuck78! I actually just found out after sending my last reply. I'm glad they changed it, but I'm sorry for my friend that wants to change. He's in Canada and hasn't started the programme yet. I guess they have to leave now and reapply if they want to change schools?