International Student Program (ISP) – Frequently asked questions

Section 1: General questions

What are the requirements of the International Student Program (ISP)?
The following documents set out the requirements and support the application process:
- The 2015 Requirements for Designation of Postsecondary Institutions for the purposes of the International Student Program (ISP) ("ISP Requirements, 2015")
- The Guide to the Application Process for First-time and Previously-designated Private Postsecondary Institutions ("Private Institution ISP Application Guide;")
- The “International Student Program Postsecondary Application for Designation, 2015 – Private Institutions for first time applicants; ("Application for Designation")
- The “International Student Program Postsecondary Application for Re-Designation, 2015 – Private Institutions” for previously designated applicants. ("Application for Re-Designation")
The documents outline the process for the designation or re-designation of private postsecondary education institutions that wish to enrol international students in programs that are six (6) months or longer in duration.

Designation under the International Student Program is an annual process.
What will happen if I choose not to seek designation under the ISP?

The institution would not be included on the List of Designated Learning Institutions to be posted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on their website. Institutions that are not designated are not eligible to receive international students requiring a study permit to attend a program of study that is six months in duration or longer.
Who is eligible to become designated?

All postsecondary education institutions and language schools in Ontario are eligible to apply for designation under the ISP; however, to be designated, they must meet the requirements for designation.
Will all institutions need to sign Designation Agreements with the Ministry?

An offer of designation is only extended to an applicant if Ontario is satisfied that the applicant meets all of the criteria for designation set out in the ISP Requirements 2015. An "offer of designation" will include a Designation Agreement that the institution must sign before it will be designated. Successful applicants will become designated on the date that the designation agreement is executed (signed) by the successful applicant and Ontario.
Would my institution remain on the List of Designated Learning Institutions permanently, once added?

No. The institution would remain on the List of Designated Learning Institutions for the duration of the Designation Agreement, provided the institution remains in compliance with the requirements and any applicable conditions stated in the Designation Agreement. Institutions are required to apply for re-designation before the end of the term of their Designation Agreement.
Is there a deadline for application submissions?

Institutions can submit the Application for Designation at any time. Institutions applying for re-designation must submit their application prior to the expiration date identified on their Designation Agreement.
How long does it take for the Ministry to process an application?

Once an application is submitted by an institution with all the necessary attachments and is deemed to be "complete" by the Ministry, review of the application requires approximately six (6) months to process. The process may require additional time if there are any discrepancies with the application submission.
I operate a language institution and have a partnership with another institution. Do I need to apply for designation?
Private language schools with partnerships with publicly assisted institutions will need to apply for designation separately.
The ISP Requirements, 2015 and the Private Institution ISP Application Guide state that all of my campus and branch locations need to be designated. How are "campus" and "branch location" defined?
For the purposes of the International Student Program, the definitions of "branch location" and "campus" are set out in the ISP Requirements, 2015 as follows:
- A "branch location" means a physical site operated by a third party at which an institution provides postsecondary education through the third party
- "Campus" means a physical site at which an institution directly provides postsecondary education
When will our information appear on the IRCC website?

Please note that once an institution is designated under the ISP, IRCC is responsible for providing institutions with a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number and listing it on the IRCC website. Any further questions related to this matter should be directed to IRCC at DLI-list-liste-EED@cic.gc.ca.
Who will student enrollment be reported to and how will IRCC monitor this?

The institution must designate at least one person responsible for tracking International Student enrolment and submitting International Student enrolment reports to IRCC on request.
What are the reporting requirements under the ISP?
Reporting requirements are set out in the institution's Designation Agreement and include the following:
- Reports about International Student enrolment, academic progress and other information relevant to the International Student Program, at such periods and in such form as requested by IRCC
- Reports to the Minister with up to date contact information for the person responsible for reporting to IRCC
- Reports to the Minister with aggregate data and reports on its International Students in such form and at such periods as requested from time to time by the Minister
- Reports to the Minister with such information documents as the Minister may request to demonstrate the Institution's ongoing compliance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, at such periods and in such form as requested by the Minister
- Notice to the Minister of change of Ownership
- Notice to the Minister of change of Location
- Additional reports as set out in conditions attached to the institution's Designation Agreement, which are specific to that institution

Section 2: Questions related to the application for designation

In Section A, Institution Information, how do I complete the projected international student section?

For the section that requests Total Projected International Student Population, please provide an estimate of the total number of international students that are expected to attend the institution by the end of the institution's fiscal year.

For the section that requests Current Total Student Population, please provide the total number of international students that are attending the institution at the time the application form is completed.
My educational institution provides different types of training and I am unsure what type of institution is most applicable to me (e.g. PCC with consent to offer a degree; PCC operating a language program under the same legal entity). In Section B, under Institution Type, where do I enter an 'X'?
Applicants are required to identify the institution categories that apply to the applicant. Please list all that are applicable to the institution. For example, an applicant that offers language programs and vocational training programs requiring approval under the PCCA should select both:
- Registered private career college
- Other, specifying "Language School"
I operate five campuses, but only wish to seek designation for three of them. How do I proceed?

Designation is site-specific. If you wish to obtain designation for three of your five campuses, please list the three campuses in your application. You may seek designation for other campuses at a later date by submitting a new application. An institution's Designation Agreement would be amended to include the additional campuses.
What does Contract with the Accredited Body in Section 10 of the Program of Study refer to?

Contract with the Accredited Body refers to accreditation by a Language Program Accreditor. Languages Canada is an example of a Language Program Accreditor.
What is a Notice of Assessment?

Notice of Assessment, also known as NOA, is the annual statement by revenue authorities (Canada Revenue Agency) to taxpayers, detailing the amount of income tax one owes (if any). It includes the amount of one's tax refund, tax credit, and income tax already paid.
My submission is complete and ready for submission, but one document is outstanding (e.g. the institution's Audited Financial Statements were not submitted). Can I still submit my application or should I wait?

It is highly recommended for institutions to submit a complete Application for Designation, where possible. However, once the application process has commenced, institutions have a maximum of six months from the date the Ministry receives an Application for Designation to submit ALL relevant supporting documentation. Please ensure that all documents are complete and accurate.

An applicant must clearly state in the email accompanying the submission which document is outstanding and when the Ministry should expect to receive it. An evaluator will review the package and respond accordingly.

However, please note a site assessment will not be performed until ALL supporting documentation has been received by the ministry.
How will my application be assessed?

The ministry will review the application and seek additional information from the applicant, as required.
Is there a website available and on what particular date will I be able to review and confirm that my institution is on the List of Designated Learning Institutions?

Designated institutions will be listed on the IRCC website. Institutions will be informed directly by IRCC when their institution receives a DLI number, and when it appears on the IRCC website.
Can I submit the application in person and hard copy?

Please submit soft copy submissions via email. Please convert submissions to PDF and send to ISP.TCU@ontario.ca. The Ministry is developing an online application form that applicants may submit electronically.
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

For questions related specifically to entry into Canada, please contact IRCC at ISP-Regulations-Reglements-PEE@cic.gc.ca.

For questions related to your institution's Application for Designation, please contact the ISP at ISP.TCU@ontario.ca.

Section 3: Questions related to the designation criteria

As a charitable institution, we do not submit Income Tax Statements as requested in criterion 3. Would the T3010 Registered Charity Information Return be an appropriate substitute?

Yes.
What kind of Audited Financial Statements does the Ministry require?
Audited Financial Statements ("AFS") are financial statements audited and confirmed by an Ontario-licensed public accountant summarizing the financial activities of the entire legal entity for a given fiscal year. AFS will include:
- An Auditor's Report addressed to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Postsecondary Education Division, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
- A Balance Sheet outlining assets, liabilities and owner's/shareholder's equity that are associated with the ownership and operation of the entire legal entity
- An Income Statement outlining revenue and expenditure
- A Cash Flow Statement from operating, investing and financing activities
Why does the Ministry require Audited Financial Statements?

Applicants must demonstrate through two years of audited financial statements that they have the financial capacity to provide programs of study to International Students.

The audited financial statements must be in respect of the legal entity that is submitting the Application for Designation. Other types of financial statements (e.g. review engagement) or financial statements of a parent or subsidiary corporation will not be accepted in place of audited financial statements for the applicant.

The Audited Financial Statements will be reviewed by our financial team to understand the overall financial health and business practices of a private entity, which can indicate the level of educational quality provided at the institution.
How do I obtain an AFS?

The Ministry is not in a position to advise you on the accountancy firm best suited to your requirements. However, sourcing might begin with an accountancy association, an association that services your specific sector, or the website of the Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario.
When does a PCC or a non-PCC institution have to establish a trust account?
Under section 8 of the ISP Requirements, 2015, applicants may be required to establish a trust account to hold monies received from international students:
- An applicant that is registered under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 should confirm with the Private Career Colleges Branch inspector assigned to the institution whether it is required to establish a trust account for International Students enrolled in approved vocational programs
- An applicant that has been granted Ministerial consent under the Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000 will already have been informed, as a condition of Ministerial consent, about whether it is required to establish and maintain a trust account with respect to the program or programs for which a consent is granted
- An applicant that is offering any other program of study is required to establish a trust account to hold fees for international students enrolled in such programs (see section 8.3 of the ISP Requirements, 2015)
Who are the beneficiaries of a trust account?

The beneficiaries of a trust account are the international students or prospective international students in programs offered at the institution. When completing the Trust Account Confirmation Form, the applicant must list the programs into which international students on student visas may be enrolled.
How much money does a private institution that is not a registered PCC and is not subject to the Post-Secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000, need to deposit into a trust account?

Such institutions must deposit all monies received directly or indirectly from each International Student in respect of a program until the International Student commences the program or a refund is paid to the International Student.
When can a private institution that is not a registered PCC and is not subject to the Post-Secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000, withdraw tuition revenue from a trust account?

Tuition revenue can only be withdrawn when the tuition has been earned by the institution. For example, if the institution has deposited 20% of tuition revenue into an account, the institution can withdraw the money once the student has completed at least 20% of their program duration. Tuition may also be withdrawn if/when a student requests a refund and then in accordance with the refund policies of the institution.
What is a "recognized financial institution" for the purpose of trust accounts?

The financial institution must be a bank or authorized foreign bank within the meaning of section 2 of the Bank Act, 1991 (Canada), a credit union within the meaning of the Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act, 1994, a loan corporation or a trust corporation, both as defined in the Loan and Trust Corporations Act, 1990.
What areas of the facility will Site Assessors review?

An institution is required to provide the "International Student Consent Form" to each International Student on enrolment. Each consent form that is signed must be maintained in the student's file. Site assessors will be reviewing International Student files to ensure all required documents are on file. Ministry-appointed Site Assessors will need to check various areas of the facility to ensure that they can ascertain that educational services are delivered in a safe and effective environment, and consistent with what an institution reported as part of their application for designation. Site Assessors will also be looking at occupancy load of classrooms, the fire inspection report, and proof of insurance.
Will site assessments be pre-arranged with institutions and who will be conducting site assessments?

No. Site assessments are not pre-arranged with institutions. Site assessments will take approximately one business day and will be conducted by Ministry personnel, specifically trained to conduct such assessments.
I operate a registered private career college. Can I expect a site assessment?

A registered PCC may undergo an inspection under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005, which would also include assessment for the purpose of ISP designation.
The Private Institution ISP Application Guide states that advertisements or promotional activities which appear in languages other than English or French must be translated. Translated by whom?

The translation must be prepared by a person whose primary employment is translation or who has trained as a translator of the advertisement's text. A 'qualified' translator is a translator who is certified by an association recognized by the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council, such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO). Please contact the ATIO to find a certified translator.
Undergoing quality assurance can take several years. Can I submit my Application for Designation in the meantime? How will I be evaluated?

It is recommended that you submit the rest of your application as soon as it is complete. If a quality assurance program has been started, you are also required to submit a letter from the quality assurance organization addressed and emailed to the Ministry, which will detail the quality assurance process underway and expected timeline for completion. We will assess the application with this letter. Please ensure that the letter is dated and includes contact information for the quality assurance organization.
The ministry sent our institution an International Student Consent Form for immediate use. How are we expected to implement this form?

The Institution must provide each International Student on enrolment with a copy of the consent form. The Institution does not provide advice to International Students about whether to sign the consent form. Every consent form that is signed by an International Student shall be maintained in the student’s file. The Institution has an obligation to use the form pursuant to s. 17 of the Designation Agreement.