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Studying in Canada is a dream for many international students due to its world-class education system and diverse cultural experiences. As a study permit holder, you must fulfill a number of requirements. You risk having your student status and study permit revoked if you don’t comply with these requirements. You could be forced to leave Canada.
The conditions a study permit holder must follow include to,
- be enrolled in a designated learning institution (DLI), unless you are exempt, and demonstrate your commitment to study by enrolling full- or part-time during each academic semester (apart from regularly scheduled breaks) unless you are exempt.
- make progress toward finishing your program’s courses and refrain from taking authorized leaves from your study program longer than 150 days.
- Inform IRCC whenever you switch post-secondary institutions.
- stop your studies, if you no longer qualify as a student, and when your permit expires, depart Canada.
Some other conditions that might be included in your study permit include:
- the level of studies,
- if you can work on or off campus while a student in Canada,
- whether you have to report for medical procedures,
- whether you can travel within Canada,
- when you have to end your studies.
These conditions can be found here. One crucial condition that applicants must be aware of is “authorized leave.” This blog aims to shed light on what authorized leave is, where it is applicable, how to obtain it, and the implications of not following this condition.
What is Authorized Leave?
Authorized leave is a specific condition attached to a study permit in Canada. When granted a study permit, international students are required to maintain full-time student status at their designated learning institution (DLI) and make satisfactory academic progress throughout their program. However, there may be instances when students need to take a break from their studies due to compelling circumstances, such as medical emergencies, family issues, or personal reasons. In such cases, students must apply for and obtain authorized leave to ensure compliance with their study permit conditions.
When is Authorized Leave Applicable?
Authorized leave is applicable in situations where a student needs to take a temporary break from their studies but intends to return to their educational program afterward. It is important to note that authorized leave is not granted for extended periods or to get around the restrictions of the study permit. Students are expected to provide valid reasons for their absence and provide supporting documentation to support their leave application.
How to Obtain Authorized Leave?
If your authorized leave is 150 days or less, you are not required to report to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, if you are going to be away from studies for more than 150 days, it is highly advisable that you change your status to visitor by applying for a visitor record. Here are the general steps to apply for authorized leave longer than 150 days:
- Contact the Designated Learning Institution (DLI): Inform your DLI’s international student advisor about your intention to take authorized leave. They will guide you through the institution’s specific procedures and requirements.
- Prepare Supporting Documents: Gather all necessary documentation to support your leave application. This may include medical certificates, family-related documents, or any other evidence that justifies your need for leave.
- Receive approval from your DLI: Keep the approval letter from your DLI as evidence of your authorized leave. IRCC will ask you questions regarding gap in your studies in the future and the authorized leave approval would help you to address IRCC’s concerns.
Implications of Not Following the Authorized Leave Condition
Failure to obtain authorized leave or not returning to your studies after an approved leave period can have serious consequences on your study permit status. Here are some implications of not following the authorized leave condition:
- Status Violation: Staying in Canada without a valid study permit or without being enrolled in full-time studies is a violation of immigration rules. This can result in your status becoming “out of status” and may lead to removal from Canada.
- Inadmissibility: Not adhering to study permit conditions could affect your future immigration applications to Canada or any other country. It may render you inadmissible due to non-compliance with immigration laws.
- Loss of Benefits: International students on authorized leave might lose access to certain benefits and services offered to full-time students, such as work opportunities on or off-campus.
- Difficulty in Returning: If you leave Canada without authorized leave or fail to resume studies after an approved leave period, re-entering the country for future studies could become challenging.
By following the proper procedures and obtaining authorized leave, international students can ensure compliance with their study permit conditions and maintain their legal status in the country. However, failing to adhere to this condition can have severe consequences, impacting their current and future status in Canada. As responsible international students, it is crucial to understand and follow all study permit conditions to make the most of this enriching educational experience in Canada.
Want To Know More?
Do you want to learn more about these conditions? We are here to help you!
To learn more, please visit crestimmigration.ca or contact David Akinmoluwa on WhatsApp at +1(587)-974-8942 or info@crestimmigration.ca.
