For international students hoping to gain Canadian work experience and increase their eligibility for particular permanent residency (PR) options, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is essential. Maintaining full-time student status for the duration of each semester has a major impact on eligibility for the PGWP. Apart from planned vacations, prolonged study breaks may compromise a student’s PGWP eligibility. As a result, ongoing full-time enrollment is crucial. The PGWP gives graduates the opportunity to obtain relevant work experience in Canada, which is essential for a number of PR initiatives aimed at attracting and keeping talented foreign workers. In this blog, we are going to understand how to pause your studies without losing your work permit eligibility.
Note: The term “full-time” might mean different things to different people based on how each school counts course credits. On the other hand, full-time students are commonly defined by IRCC as individuals who are enrolled in three or more courses per semester and are actively involved in their studies.
Maintaining Work Permit Eligibility While Taking a Break from Studies
While it is normally expected of students to continue their studies full-time, there are some circumstances in which the IRCC makes exceptions.
- Not maintaining full-time status during scheduled breaks, such as summer break.
- Having to switch to part-time studies or stop studying altogether between March 2020 and the fall semester of that year due to COVID-19-related issues.
- Being part-time during the final semester of studies.
- Taking an authorized leave of absence lasting less than 150 days.
Students may request an approved leave of absence if they need to take a vacation from their studies during the academic year. This certificate, provided to IRCC by the student’s Designated Learning Institution (DLI), certifies that the student had a legitimate reason—and the school’s permission—to take a break from their studies for a duration of less than 150 days. The only Canadian institutions with the authority to accept and house international students are DLIs.
Authorized leave of absence letters can be requested for the following reasons:
- Due to medical illness or injury.
- For pregnancy or parental leave.
- In response to family emergencies.
- Because of mandatory military service.
- When changing programs within the same institution.
- Following a school suspension.
Steps to Request an Authorized Leave of Absence from Your School
While the processes for requesting an approved leave of absence differ throughout educational institutions, most follow a few standard phases.
In order to properly ask for a leave of absence, students first usually need to fill out a request form. In addition to this form, individuals can be asked to submit supporting paperwork proving why they had to put their studies on temporary hold. This record-keeping may consist of:
- Submission of a photocopy of their study permit.
- Submission of a photocopy of their student visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
- Submission of a photocopy of their passport
Furthermore, a lot of schools provide tools like foreign education hubs or immigration experts. These tools are intended to help students make sense of their unique situation and offer direction on issues including travel and immigration paperwork.
Here are some instances of places where students at some of Canada’s well-known DLIs may find specific procedures for securing an approved leave of absence:
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Toronto
- Queen’s University
- University of Waterloo
These academic institutions usually have designated procedures and connections that students can use to ask questions and start the process of requesting a leave of absence.
Conclusion
Ensuring compliance with immigration requirements is essential in order to retain eligibility for a work visa while taking a break from study. It’s critical to follow institution-specific protocols, consult with immigration specialists, and submit the proper paperwork. Students can safely manage their leave of absence while preserving their future work permit chances by adhering to these guidelines.