More than 400, 000 international students in tertiary institutions in Canada will go back to school in 2020. Most of these students would want to extend their stay and start working graduation. Each student will be subjected to mandatory living conditions during their study. It is critical for international students who wish to begin to work or live in Canada after their studies to have a clear understanding of these conditions. Failure to comply can lead to deportation and being barred from returning to the country for one year.
Study permit compliance Law
According to Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulation 220.1(1), study permit holders are required to enroll at a designated learning institution and remain enrolled there until the completion of their studies. Additionally, students are required to pursue their study programs actively. The interpretation of this law by the Canadian immigration authorities is that one is not authorized to take academic leaves longer than 150 days.
Happy student posing with thumbs up looking at you in the street
According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) website, authorized leaves include those based on medical reasons, family emergencies, death, pregnancy, or a family member falling seriously ill or dies. Other reasons for academic leave include when a school strikes, permanently close, deferment of a student’s program start date or where a student receives an updated letter of acceptance one semester in advance.
In cases where a student has severally made changes to the program of study or institutions, the IRCC can rule that they are not actively pursuing their study and, thus, not compliant with the requirement. Study permit compliance in Canada is done by IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency. It is common for immigrants trying to re-enter the country during school days to be asked to provide reasons as to why they are not in school.
