Should I apply for a new study permit for changing my study degree?

[rojindr]

Hello,
I am a new international student in Canada in a PhD program. I have a study permit, which has a condition as " going to degree granting university".
Now I am wondering if I change my university and going to a college or university (which is a DLI one) in order to get a diploma or certificate, should I apply for a new study permit, or should I just notify CIC via my MyCIC account for new registration.

Regards,
Rojin

 

[floomy]

from CIC


if you are thinking about changing your institution or your program, you need to make sure that you meet the conditions of your study permit on an ongoing basis. This includes the requirements to be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) and to be actively pursuing your studies while you are in Canada.

Changing institution at the post-secondary level

If you applied for a study permit to attend a post-secondary institution after June 1, 2014, you must notify Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) via your MyCIC account every time you change institutions. You are not required to apply for a new study permit when changing institutions that are at the same level of study (e.g., from a college to a university).

For example, you must notify CIC if you submit a letter of acceptance from the University of Ottawa when you apply for your study permit but then transfer to Carleton University once you arrive in Canada.

You are not required to notify CIC when you change institution if:

you applied for a study permit prior to June 1, 2014;
you were issued a study permit to attend an institution at the primary or secondary level; or
you obtained a study permit as the family member of a study or work permit holder (i.e., you were not required to submit a letter of acceptance when applying for a study permit).
Get step-by-step instructions on how to notify CIC that you have changed DLI’s using your MyCIC account.


looks like you have to notify to CIC, because you change the program to different level of study.
so call CIC or ask international student advisor at your school.

 

[rojindr]

Thank you for your reply.
As you mentioned, I think that I should contact CIC in this regard. Unfortunately they did not answer the enquiry form which I filled, and their help call didn't response as well.
My international student office at university also referred me to CIC and did not ablr to give me more information in this regard.
I am wondering if you could give me any information to contact with a professional consultant.
Regards,
Rojin

 

[floomy]

think your best option is to call CIC( I know it is extremely hard to get though , don't blame you)
otherwise, you can have free constellation with immigration lawyer (you can call around if they offer free consultation: that was I did for my visa)
if you have enough time to have some consultation from lawyers (more than one), you would have some idea what you need to do.


p.s you are not levelling up the study (PhD to certificate, diploma ) so you might wanna prepare to apply for new study permit with good cover letter of explanation for change of program.