Douglas Olsen
International students in Canada must actively pursue their studies to maintain their student status and future eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Students must be enrolled full-time to avoid immigration impacts, and taking a leave of more than 150 days may require a change in status or departure from Canada. Undergraduate students who drop all courses before the deadline will have their leave start on the first day of classes for the term, while those who withdraw with a W will have their leave start on the day of withdrawal. Graduate students on an approved leave of absence will have their leave start on the first day of classes of the term or the day their leave is approved, whichever is later. Students should consult with an International Student Advisor and carefully review the potential impacts on their immigration status and future work permit eligibility before making any decisions about taking a gap or withdrawing from courses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can an international student drop a semester in Canada? | Yes, international students can drop a semester in Canada, but they must follow certain procedures and be mindful of the impact on their visa status and future work permits. |
| Conditions for dropping a semester | Students must actively pursue studies and make progress. Leaves longer than 150 days are not considered "actively pursuing studies," and students must change to visitor status or leave Canada. |
| Work eligibility during leave | Students cannot work on or off campus during an authorized leave, even if their study permit allows it. |
| Maintaining student status | Students must maintain full-time enrollment (minimum 1.5 credits) during the academic terms before and after their scheduled break to maintain student status and future eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). |
| Impact on future work permits | Taking a gap can negatively impact future eligibility for the PGWP. The length and type of gap matter, and students must ensure they are still considered to be "'actively pursuing studies" during their gap. |
| University-specific processes | Each university has its own processes for authorized leaves and dropping semesters. Students should refer to their university's policies and consult with international student advisors. |
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What You'll Learn
Impact on student status and work permit eligibility
International students in Canada must meet the conditions of their study permit to maintain their student status and work permit eligibility. These conditions include being enrolled full-time or part-time during each academic semester, making progress toward completing courses, and not taking authorised leaves longer than 150 days. Failure to meet these conditions may result in losing student status, study permits, and the ability to remain in Canada.
The impact on student status and work permit eligibility when dropping a semester in Canada depends on several factors, including the student's course load, the length and type of gap, and their specific study permit conditions. Undergraduate students are generally required to be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits per semester to maintain full-time status. Dropping below this credit threshold may result in part-time status, which can impact work permit eligibility.
Taking a break from studies can affect eligibility for scholarships, awards, and grants. Any absence of three consecutive semesters, including summer, requires a request for re-enrolment. Gaps longer than 150 days are considered non-compliance with study permit conditions, requiring a change to visitor status or departure from Canada. Students on such leaves are not considered "actively pursuing studies" and may face difficulties in future immigration applications.
Work eligibility is also impacted by dropping a semester. Students must be enrolled full-time to work off-campus, and eligibility for on-campus work may vary depending on the study permit conditions. Students with a co-op work permit must ensure their work is related to their studies. Eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can be impacted by unauthorised breaks, particularly in each Winter Term, where full-time continuous study is required.
To summarise, dropping a semester in Canada as an international student can have significant implications for student status and work permit eligibility. Students should carefully review their specific permit conditions and seek advice from academic advisors to understand the potential consequences of their decisions.
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Compliance with study permit conditions
As an international student in Canada, you must actively pursue your studies and make progress toward completing your program to stay in compliance with study permit conditions. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be non-compliant, which can put your study permit, current eligibility to work on and off-campus, and your future eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at risk.
The type and length of gaps in your studies impact whether you are considered actively pursuing your studies during the gap. Gaps of more than 150 days may require you to change to visitor status or leave Canada before the 150 days end and return to resume your studies. You must also maintain full-time enrollment during the academic terms before and after your scheduled break. For immigration purposes, breaks between semesters should be no longer than 150 days in every academic year. You are eligible to work full-time on and off-campus during these scheduled breaks.
If you take an authorized leave of absence, you can choose to remain in Canada or return home. You will need to be prepared to pay for a University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) premium using a credit or debit card. You will be expected to return to active full-time studies in the next term.
If you are considering taking a gap or leave, talk to an Academic Advisor to check your program requirements and discuss your options. Taking a leave does not guarantee courses will be available when you return to your studies. You must also consider the impact on your immigration status and future eligibility for a work permit.
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Immigration and visa implications
International students in Canada must adhere to specific guidelines regarding their study permits and visa status if they intend to drop a semester. Here are the key points regarding the immigration and visa implications of dropping a semester:
Study Permit Conditions:
To remain compliant with the conditions of your study permit, you must "'actively pursue studies' and make progress toward completing your program. A gap in your studies could negatively impact your compliance with these conditions, especially if the gap exceeds 150 days. In such cases, you may be deemed non-compliant, potentially affecting your study permit, current work eligibility, and future eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Work Eligibility:
During an authorized leave or gap in your studies, you are not permitted to work on or off-campus, even if your study permit indicates that you are otherwise allowed to work in Canada.
Impact on Visa Status:
If you take a leave of absence or drop a semester, you must consider the length of your break. If your break exceeds 150 days, you will need to change your visa status or leave Canada before the 150-day period ends. You may apply for visitor status if you wish to remain in Canada during an extended break, and this application must be submitted within the first 150 days after you stopped studying.
Documentation and Proof of Compliance:
It is essential to maintain proper documentation during your leave. Collect documents related to the reason for your gap in studies, as these may be required for future immigration applications. Additionally, you may need to provide proof that you are meeting the conditions of your study permit. A letter from your designated learning institution (DLI) stating that you did not violate your study permit conditions can be helpful in this regard.
Impact on Future Applications:
Failing to meet your study permit conditions may result in a request to leave Canada. It may also impact future applications. You may be required to wait six months before applying for a new study permit, visitor visa, or work permit. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider the potential consequences of dropping a semester on your immigration status and visa before making any decisions.
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Academic requirements and program completion
As an international student in Canada, you must actively pursue your studies and make progress toward completing your program to stay in compliance with study permit conditions. The type and length of gaps in your studies impact whether you are considered actively pursuing your studies during the gap. Gaps beyond 150 days may result in non-compliance with study permit conditions. In such cases, you must either change to visitor status or leave Canada before the 150-day period ends.
If you are considering taking a semester off, consult with an international student advisor or an immigration specialist about the potential impact on your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility. IRCC policy requires you to have continuously studied full-time to qualify for a PGWP.
You must maintain full-time enrollment (minimum 1.5 credits) during the academic terms before and after your scheduled break. For immigration purposes, reading weeks, breaks between semesters, and scheduled breaks should be no longer than 150 days in every academic year. You are eligible to work full-time on and off-campus during scheduled breaks. However, you cannot work on or off-campus during an authorized leave from your study program, even if your study permit allows you to work in Canada.
If you are an undergraduate student and you dropped all courses before the add/drop deadline, your leave would start the first day of classes for the term. If you withdraw with a "W", your leave would start on the day you withdrew from all courses. Graduate students on an approved leave of absence can start their leave on the first day of classes of the term or the day the leave was approved, whichever comes last.
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Financial aid, residence, and other considerations
As an international student in Canada, you have access to several financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans. Firstly, scholarships are a great option for financial support, and many schools offer scholarships for outstanding academic achievement or specifically for international students. Entrance scholarships are also offered by some institutions, so be sure to check your school's website for details. Additionally, you can explore scholarship and bursary options through Canadian organizations such as the International Council for Canadian Studies. The Government of Canada International Scholarships website is another valuable resource for learning about awards offered for study abroad programs and individual students.
Loans are another option for financial aid. The Canada Student Loan program offers loans with terms similar to those of permanent Canadian residents, although international students' eligibility may vary depending on provincial law. To determine your eligibility for various loans, you can use online loan comparison tools.
It is important to note that before obtaining a Canada study permit, you must demonstrate proof of finances. This means that you will need to show that you have the financial resources to pay for tuition, fees, and living expenses.
When considering taking a semester off, it is essential to be mindful of the potential impact on your residence status and future eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. If you take a break from your studies for more than 150 consecutive days, you will need to either leave Canada or apply to change your status, typically by applying for visitor status. This application must be submitted within the first 150 days after you stop studying. Additionally, if you take a semester off, you will not be eligible to work on or off campus during that time, even if your study permit indicates that you are usually allowed to work in Canada.
If you are an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University (SFU), you can take the summer term off without affecting your study permit or work permit eligibility. However, you must enrol full-time for both the spring and fall terms in the same calendar year. For other institutions and graduate students, taking a semester off can impact your immigration status and future work permit eligibility, so it is crucial to carefully review the specific policies of your university and Canada's immigration regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can drop a semester in Canada, but they must follow the proper procedures and be mindful of the potential impacts on their immigration status and future work permit eligibility.
The procedures for dropping a semester vary depending on the university and the specific situation. In general, international students should consult with an international student advisor or immigration specialist before making any decisions. Students may need to collect certain documents and submit them for review.
If you take a leave of more than 150 days, you will not be considered "actively pursuing studies" and must change to visitor status or leave Canada before the 150-day period ends. Failing to do so can result in non-compliance with study permit conditions, which may impact your current eligibility to work on and off-campus and your future eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
No, international students on an authorized leave are not eligible to work on or off-campus during the leave period, even if their study permit states that they are otherwise allowed to work in Canada.
Failing to complete your studies within the authorized period can impact your future applications in Canada. You may be asked to leave the country and wait for up to 6 months before applying for a new study permit or other visas.
