Canadian Language School ILAC Shuts Down: What It Means for International Students

The closure affects more than 1,300 students studying at ILAC in Toronto and Vancouver. However, the immigration impact on Canada’s international student population is relatively limited.

ILAC offered English-language programs, as well as other education programs through its wider group. It also had pathway agreements that allowed students to improve their English before moving on to programs at Canadian colleges and universities.

For international students currently enrolled at ILAC, the immediate priority is finding another school where they can continue their studies. Efforts are already underway to transfer affected international students to other language schools.

International students who were planning to attend ILAC but have not yet started will need to reconsider their plans or enrol at a different college or university in Canada.

Key Takeaways

• ILAC, a large private language school operating in Toronto and Vancouver, has filed for bankruptcy and closed.
• Many ILAC language students were in Canada as visitors, and relatively few held study permits.
• Efforts are underway to place affected international students in alternative Canadian language programs.
• Students planning to attend ILAC in the future will need to reconsider their plans and arrange admission to another school.

ILAC Closure Has a Limited Impact on International Students

Despite ILAC’s size, its closure has a relatively limited impact on Canada’s broader international student population.

Languages Canada, an organization representing English and French language schools, is working with member institutions to place students affected by the ILAC closure into other language programs at no additional tuition cost, according to media reports.

For many ILAC students, however, the closure should not directly affect their immigration status.

ILAC was a private school offering language programs. ILAC students were not eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) after graduation. ILAC also offered several short-term courses (six months or less), and many of ILAC’s language students were in Canada as visitors rather than study permit holders.

Recent immigration changes have made these language programs even less attractive to international students. Tighter spousal open work permit rules mean students in language programs generally cannot bring their spouse or partner on an open work permit. Meanwhile, the study permit cap has reduced the number of international students who may need language training before moving on to further studies in Canada.

Why Are Language Schools Closing in Canada?

ILAC’s closure comes at a time when private language schools are facing a sharp decline in demand from international students.

The number of international students studying English or French at private language schools fell from 150,112 in 2019 to 81,636 in 2025, a decline of nearly 46 percent.

Changes to Canada’s international student rules have contributed to that decline. The study permit cap has reduced the number of new international students coming to Canada, including those who may need language training before starting further studies.

Language programs have also become less attractive for international students hoping to bring their families. Under current spousal open work permit rules, students in private schools or language programs cannot bring their spouse or partner to Canada on an open work permit.

ILAC is not the only language school to have closed. EC English shut its Canadian operations shortly before ILAC, affecting 471 international students in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

What Should You Do If You Are Affected by the ILAC Closure?

What you should do next depends on whether you were already studying at ILAC or planning to attend in the future.

If you were studying at ILAC when it closed, you don’t need to find a replacement language school yourself. Languages Canada is working with its member schools to place affected international students in alternative language programs at no additional tuition cost.

Before enrolling elsewhere, confirm where you are being transferred and whether the new program meets your needs. This is particularly important if you were enrolled in an ILAC Pathway Program, as it is not yet clear whether replacement language schools will offer the same pathways to PGWP-eligible partner colleges and universities.

If you were in a short-term program as a domestic student or a visitor to Canada, transferring to another short language program may not have an impact on your status. If you hold a study permit, however, changing schools will require you to apply for a study permit.

International students who paid ILAC for accommodation or other services should also check separately whether those arrangements will continue or whether they need to make new arrangements.

What If You Have Not Started Your ILAC Program?

If you were planning to attend ILAC but have not yet started, you will need to reconsider your study plans and secure admission to another school.

If you were planning to take a short language course as a visitor, this may simply mean choosing another language school.

If you were planning to apply for a study permit to attend ILAC, you will need to secure admission to another eligible school and use that letter of acceptance for a new study permit application.

You should also be particularly careful if ILAC was intended to be the first stage of a Pathway Program. Before choosing another language school, confirm whether it has an agreement with a PGWP-eligible college or university that you eventually want to attend.

If you haven’t decided which Canadian school is right for you, make sure you consider all the important factors, such as your ability to bring your family or work in Canada after graduating. Speak to a regulated immigration consultant to ensure your path makes sense in light of your long-term immigration goals.