International Students In Canada: Dropping A Semester?

International students in Canada are allowed to take a break from their studies, but there are several factors to consider, including the length of the break, the student's academic standing, and the conditions of their study permit. The decision to take a semester off can impact their student status, eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and ability to remain in the country. Students are advised to consult with academic advisors and immigration specialists to understand the full implications of their decision and ensure compliance with regulations.

Can an international student drop a semester in Canada?

International students must actively pursue studies to maintain their student status in Canada

As an international student in Canada, you must actively pursue your studies to maintain your student status. This means that you must be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) and make progress toward completing your program. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be non-compliant with the conditions of your status in Canada, which can have several negative consequences.

Firstly, your study permit may be at risk. A study permit is usually valid for the length of your study program, plus an extra 90 days. If your study permit will expire before you finish your courses, you must apply to extend your stay as a student. If you don't, you'll need to stop studying and leave Canada. Secondly, your current eligibility to work on and off-campus may be impacted. You cannot work on or off-campus during an authorized leave from your study program, even if your study permit indicates that you are allowed to work in Canada. Thirdly, your future eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) may be affected.

The type and length of gaps in your studies impact whether you are considered actively pursuing your studies during your time off. If you take a leave of more than 150 days, you will not be considered "actively pursuing studies" and must either change to visitor status or leave Canada before the 150-day period ends. Even if you have an authorized leave of absence that is longer than 150 days, you must still take action before the 150-day period is over. Additionally, an immigration officer processing any immigration application has the discretion to refuse an application if they feel reasonable progress has not been made toward completing your degree. This risk increases with longer leaves or multiple leaves during your studies, even with an Authorized Leave letter from the university.

To maintain full-time status in an academic year, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 1.5 credits in any two terms out of three (e.g., fall and winter, winter and summer, or fall and summer) and may take a break or take courses part-time in the third term. You don't need your university's permission to take a scheduled break, but if you take a scheduled break in a fall or winter term instead of summer, be prepared to explain the trimester system and your full-time enrollment status in the other two terms for your PGWP application.

Students can take a break during summer terms, which are regular scheduled breaks

As an international student in Canada, you must actively pursue your studies and make progress towards completing your program to stay in compliance with study permit conditions. Summer terms are regular scheduled breaks for Canadian institutions. The University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC), for instance, operates on a trimester system, including fall, winter, and summer terms. To maintain full-time status annually, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 1.5 credits in any two terms out of three and can take a break or opt for part-time courses in the third term. For instance, you can take a break during the summer term after being enrolled full-time in the fall and winter terms.

You don't need permission from the university to take a scheduled break. However, if you take a scheduled break in a fall or winter term instead of summer, be prepared to explain UTSC's trimester system and your full-time enrollment status in the other two terms for your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application. You are eligible to work full-time on and off campus during these scheduled breaks.

If you take a leave of more than 150 days, you will not be considered "actively pursuing studies" and must either change to visitor status or leave Canada before the 150-day period ends. You will also need to take action if your leave is authorized and longer than 150 days, even if you have an authorized leave of absence for a year. During this period, you are not eligible to work on or off campus.

If you are considering taking a break, it is important to carefully review how this will impact your immigration status and future eligibility for the PGWP. An immigration officer can refuse an application if they feel reasonable progress has not been made towards completing your degree. Talk to an academic or international student advisor to check your program requirements and discuss your options for taking a break and returning to your studies.

Students must meet all academic regulations of their program before taking a break

As an international student in Canada, you can drop a semester or take a break from your studies, but there are a few important things to consider. Firstly, you must meet all the academic regulations of your program before taking a break. This means ensuring that you have completed all the necessary coursework, assignments, and other requirements for your current semester or term. Check with your academic advisor to confirm that you have fulfilled all the necessary criteria to be eligible to take a break.

Additionally, it is important to understand the impact of taking a break on your student status and visa. According to Canadian regulations, international students must "actively pursue studies" to maintain their student status and eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. If you take a break for less than 150 days or before your study permit expires (whichever comes first), no immediate action is required. However, if your break exceeds 150 days, you must take the necessary steps before the end of the 150-day period. This includes consulting with the relevant authorities, such as the International Students and Scholars Service, to understand the implications for your student visa status.

Furthermore, taking a break can affect the availability of courses when you return to your studies. Course offerings may change, and there is no guarantee that the same courses will be available when you resume your studies. It is advisable to carefully review your program requirements and discuss your options with an academic advisor before taking any decisions.

Lastly, consider the financial implications of dropping a semester. If you are receiving financial aid or scholarships, there may be conditions attached to your funding that could be affected by taking a break. Ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of your financial support to avoid any unexpected consequences.

Students must collect the necessary documents for an Authorised Leave

International students in Canada who wish to take an authorised leave must collect the necessary documents. The type of leave you wish to take will determine the documentation required. Here are the documents you may need for various types of authorised leave:

Pregnancy or Parental Leave

• Birth certificate
• Medical note confirming pregnancy and expected due date

Medical Injury or Illness

Medical note confirming the health condition and recovery period

Death or Serious Illness of a Family Member

• Death certificate or medical note
• Attestation of the familial relationship

Other Family Emergencies

Documentation will vary depending on the nature of the emergency, but a written explanation of the circumstances will generally be required.

It is important to note that while the university typically does not collect these documents, you should retain them and be prepared to submit them to the IRCC upon request or for future applications.

Additionally, if you are taking a leave of more than 150 days, you must change your status to a visitor or, if applicable, a worker. If you do not do this, you risk being considered non-compliant with study permit conditions and may be asked to leave Canada.

Before taking an authorised leave, it is recommended that you review your academic and degree requirements to ensure you are on track with your progress. Taking a leave may impact your eligibility for scholarships, awards, and grants, as well as future immigration applications.

Students can lose their eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if they take a break

As an international student in Canada, you must meet the conditions of your study permit and make progress towards completing your program to stay in compliance with your permit conditions. Students are required to "'actively pursue studies'" to maintain their student status in Canada and their eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The length and type of gap can impact whether or not you are considered to be actively pursuing your studies during your break. For example, if you take a break of more than 150 days, you will not be considered "actively pursuing studies" and must either change to visitor status or leave Canada before the 150-day period ends. This applies even if you have an authorized leave of absence that is longer than 150 days.

If you are considering taking a break, you must carefully review how this will impact your immigration status and your eligibility for the PGWP. You must also meet all academic regulations of your program. Taking a leave does not guarantee courses will be available when you return to your studies. You may take an authorized leave of absence for one term from active studies for specific reasons, including illness, pregnancy, military service, or family emergencies. You can choose to remain in Canada or return home during this leave. If your leave is authorized, you will receive a letter from the Registrar's Office documenting your leave.

If you take a break that is not authorized, you will be considered non-compliant with the conditions of your status in Canada, which can put your study permit, current eligibility to work on and off-campus, and your future eligibility for a PGWP at risk. An immigration officer processing any immigration application has the discretion to refuse an application if they feel reasonable progress has not been made towards completing your degree. This risk increases when a break is longer than 150 days or multiple breaks occur during studies, even with an Authorized Leave letter from the university.

To summarize, taking a break as an international student in Canada can impact your eligibility for a PGWP. It is important to carefully consider the reasons for your break, the length of your break, and how it will impact your studies and future plans in Canada.

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