In some situations, international students in Canada might be required by their DLIs to defer their program’s start date to the following semester.
Well, this could be the case for numerous reasons, including:
- Accumulating more funds
- Family emergency
Note: Their DLI should formally approve deferred enrolment initiated by a foreign national.
Below are the three deferring options after obtaining a Canadian study permit.
Alternative 1: Resume Studies In Allotted Time
Upon deferring the enrolment at a Canadian DLI, foreign nationals wanting to stay in Canada must pursue one of the two options.
The first alternative is to simply resume their studies, either at the start of the next semester or within 150 days of when the student’s deferred enrolment was confirmed, whichever comes first.
Alternative 2: Change Canadian Status
The other alternative available to international students who wish to remain in Canada is to pursue a change of status. This implies transitioning from international student status to either visitor/ worker status.
Transitioning To Visitor Status As An International Student
Foreign students who wish to stay in Canada have deferring options after obtaining a Canadian study permit. One of the alternatives is applying for a visitor record. Individuals who need a visitor record should use a minimum of 30 days before the expiry of international student status/ study permit.
First, it is vital to note that a visitor record isn’t a visitor visa. It is different.
A visitor visa is a necessary document used for entering & traveling to Canada. It applies to citizens of specific nations & enables entry into Canada for up to six months.
This visa is placed inside the recipient’s passport to verify that they meet the entry requirements as visitors. In addition, a visitor visa will include a date. However, this is not the expiry date of the duration of stay of the visa holder. Instead, this date is the date by which the visa holder must come to Canada.
On the contrary, a visitor record enables the holder to stay in Canada for an extended time period. These records are either issued by CBSA or IRCC.
Usually, a visitor record will allow temporary residents in Canada to stay in the nation longer as a visitor, a worker authorized to work without a work permit, or a student authorized to study without a study permit.
Visitor records do not guarantee that the holder can leave & re-enter Canada. A valid entry document is needed to return to Canada for individuals who plan to travel outside North America.
Visitor record candidates seeking to remain in Canada for more than six months must notify the border services officer. Unlike the visitor visa, the date included on the record indicates the expiry date of the recipient’s stay in Canada, implying that the visitor record holder must leave the nation by this date.
Note: Also, unlike a visitor visa, a visitor visa is an independent document not placed inside a passport.
Transitioning To Worker Status As An International Student
International students can also transition to worker status with an open or employer-specific work permit.
The main difference between these two kinds of permits is that employer-specific permits tie the recipient to a specific employer for a certain time period in a particular location. On the contrary, an open work permit lets you work for any employer in Canada as long as they have not been deemed ineligible & meet other eligibility criteria.
Alternative 3: Leave Canada
International students who defer their enrolment in Canada might also simply choose to leave Canada. This is specifically a common alternative for those who know they will not return to their studies within 150 days & those who do not know when the circumstances that led to deferred enrolment will be resolved.