The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is essential for international students seeking employment skills and developing qualifications for specific permanent residence (PR) routes.
Qualification for this document is delegation in some aspects; one of the most essential is maintaining full-time status for every semester of a student’s research. Obtaining prolonged academic holidays outside the scheduled breaks can harm a student’s Post-Graduate Work Permit qualification.
Note: While full-time is somewhat variable depending on each institution’s pattern of estimating course credits, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) often describes it as students actively seeking their studies, taking nearly three programs each semester.
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How Can Students Take A Break From Their Studies Without Compromising Their Prospects At A Work Permit?
While students are required to retain full-time status at the time of their studies, there are exclusions that Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes if specific requirements are satisfied.
Mainly, these are:
- If a student was part-time during the scheduled time break,
- Having to study schooling or become a part-time student between March 2020 and the fall semester of the same year because of complications from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- If a student was part-time for the last semester of their program.
- If a student took an approved leave of absence for less than 150 days.
Students who require leave from their programs during study durations can apply for an approved leave of absence.
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This document offered by a student’s Designated Learning Institution (DLI) clarifies to Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that the student had a legal motive to leave their studies for less than 150 days and had the institution’s authorization. Designated Learning Institutions are the only institutions in Canada approved to admit and offer accommodation for international students.
Approved leave of absence letters can be demanded for so many various motives; most of the regular motives include:
- Medical sickness or wound
- Pregnancy or parental leave
- Suspension from school
- Family emergency
- Compulsory military service
- Modification of program at the same institution.
How Can I Demand An Approved Leave Of Absence Letter From My School?
Various institutions have different procedures for demanding an approved leave of absence. Hence, these procedures observe common patterns.
Often, students must present an application form to petition for a leave of absence letter. At this period, they may be required to present accompanying documentation for their application to confirm their motive to pause their studies. Furthermore, students may be requested to present immigration and travel documents, which include;
- A copy of their study permit
- A copy of their student visa or eTA
- A copy of their passport.
Many institutions possess an immigration specialist or even a foreign education center for students to consult about their conditions. Mentioned below are the devoted approved leave of absence letters for some of Canada’s most famous designated learning institutions:
- Queen’s University
- The University of Toronto
- The University of British Columbia
- Waterloo University
- McGill University
