Pre-conference Workshops

From Admission to Approval: Strengthen Study Permit Applications Under Canada’s Updated Study Permit Framework

08:30 to 12:00

Recent changes to Canada’s international student program; including the introduction of study permit caps and heightened scrutiny of applications, have significantly reshaped the landscape for international student mobility. This evolving environment requires institutions and immigration advisors (RCICs and RISIAs) to operate at a true global nexus, where policy, student aspirations, and institutional responsibilities intersect.

This interactive session will explore how institutions and advisors can proactively support prospective students in preparing strong, approval-ready study permit applications. Through collaborative discussion and case-based analysis, participants will engage with practical, field-tested strategies that can be applied in their advising practice.

Together, we will unpack the key components of a successful application, including how to guide students in crafting a compelling and coherent study plan, demonstrating sufficient and credible proof of funds, and effectively evidencing ties to their home country. The session will also highlight common application gaps and refusal trends, equipping participants with tools to help their students strengthen their application and increase their chances for approval.

This workshop will be approved by the CICC for 3 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the core components of a strong study permit application, including a well-structured study plan, credible financial documentation, and evidence of home country ties.
• Apply practical, case-based advising strategies to help students present clear, consistent, and decision-ready applications.
• Analyze common weaknesses and refusal trends in study permit applications and develop targeted strategies to mitigate risk.
• Enhance institutional collaboration and advising workflows to better support international students at the intersection of global mobility and immigration policy.

Facilitators

Closing the Gap: Translating Canadian Immigration Policy into Effective Student Advising

13:00 to 16:30

Recent Canadian immigration policy changes have significantly reshaped international student advising at post-secondary institutions. While policy updates are publicly accessible, a persistent gap remains between policy interpretation and real-world advising practice. ISA’s are increasingly required to operationalize complex regulations, manage institutional expectations, and support students navigating high-stakes decisions that affect their legal status, academic progression, and long-term immigration pathways.

Drawing on frontline advising experience at Northeastern University’s Canadian campuses and the University of Niagara Falls Canada, this session explores how this policy shifts have been implemented in practice.

Through real case scenarios and an advising framework implemented by NU and UNF, participants will examine challenges such as study permit refusal management, PAL eligibility and allocation, PGWP compliance, and spousal work permit limitations — and the strategies developed to address them. Participants will leave with practical tools and guidance to provide accurate, compliant, and student-centered advising in a rapidly evolving immigration landscape.

This workshop will be approved by the CICC for 3 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants would expect to be able to:

• Analyze recent IRCC policy changes—study permit caps, PAL/TAL, PGWP, and spousal work permits—and evaluate their impact on advising practices across the international student lifecycle.
• Identify gaps between policy intent, institutional interpretation, and student behavior, highlighting misinformation and compliance risks through real case examples from Canadian institutions.
• Apply ethical, student-centered advising strategies to complex scenarios while maintaining professional boundaries and using tools that reduce risk for students, advisors, and institutions.

Facilitators