Quebec Pulls the Plug on 4 Private Colleges, Leaving Over 900 International Students in Limbo
Quebec’s Education Ministry has confirmed the non-renewal of operating permits for four private, subsidized colleges, and hundreds of international students are now scrambling to save their studies and their status just weeks before the fall semester.
The affected schools are Collège supérieur de Montréal (CSM), Collège supérieur de Sherbrooke, Collège Herzing, and Collège de technologie Veritas. CSM alone has left more than 900 international students in limbo. Some were reportedly one exam or one internship away from graduating when they learned their program would no longer be recognized.
According to Quebec’s Education Ministry, colleges were notified in the spring that their operating licences would not be renewed, and any courses delivered after July 1 would not count. Students say they had no warning and were told, after the fact, to find a spot at one of the public colleges on a list provided by the province.
That search has not gone smoothly. Reported obstacles include full class schedules this close to the fall term, programs offered only in English after years of studying in French, and outright admission refusals at several institutions. CSM has said it will challenge the province’s decision at Quebec’s administrative tribunal.
The stakes go beyond the classroom. Study permits are tied to enrollment at a specific institution, and students cannot legally work in Quebec unless they are enrolled full-time. Since January 1, 2026, Quebec has also raised the proof-of-funds requirement for international students to $24,617, an increase of nearly $10,000 from 2025.
Quebec’s Immigration Ministry says affected students must file a new application to maintain their status, but their current study permit expiry date does not move. As a concession, the ministry says it will now let students resume studies once a new application is submitted, rather than waiting for approval, a change immigration lawyers say buys students little more than a few extra weeks. The ministry has also stated the college closures will not affect future immigration applications, including future permanent residence applications, and that it has notified the federal government of the situation.
For official updates directly from the government, you can also check the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) and the Ministère de l’Éducation websites.
Book Your Consultation!
If your study permit, work eligibility, or PR pathway is connected to one of these closed colleges, timing matters more than ever right now. A missed re-enrollment deadline or an incomplete new application can put your legal status in Canada at risk. Book a consultation with Flowertown Immigration. Our licensed RCIC consultant will walk you through your options clearly and honestly, based on your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my study permit if my Quebec college shuts down?
Your study permit’s expiry date does not change automatically. Quebec’s Immigration Ministry has confirmed that affected students must submit a new application to maintain their status, though it says the review of these new applications will be adapted given the circumstances.
Can I transfer my credits to another college after my school closes?
Credit transfer is not guaranteed. Immigration lawyers have noted that admission and credit recognition vary by institution, and enrollment capacity is limited this close to the start of the fall semester.
Will studying at a closed college affect my future PR application in Canada?
Quebec’s Immigration Ministry has stated that the closure of these institutions will not impact future immigration applications, including applications for permanent residence.
Can international students work in Quebec while their enrollment is in limbo?
Generally, international students in Quebec cannot work unless they are enrolled full-time at a recognized institution. This is part of why enrollment status matters so much once a school’s permit is revoked.
How much money do international students need to show to study in Quebec now?
As of January 1, 2026, Quebec requires international students to demonstrate $24,617 in available funds, an increase of almost $10,000 compared to the 2025 requirement.