{"id":35586,"date":"2023-03-06T15:48:45","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T20:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/?page_id=35586"},"modified":"2026-03-03T10:56:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:56:30","slug":"breaks-from-studies-and-leaves-of-absence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/immigration-support\/breaks-from-studies-and-leaves-of-absence\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaks from Studies and Leaves of Absence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Breaks from Studies and Leaves of Absence\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"w-full max-w-xl mx-auto overflow-hidden bg-white rounded-lg shadow-lg cu-stackedlist cu-component not-contained not-prose\">\n    <h2 class=\"px-6 py-4 text-base font-semibold border-b rounded-t-lg md:text-xl bg-gray-50 text-cu-black-800\">\n        Table of Contents\n    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"grid cu-scrollto cu-stackedlist--toc cu-stackedlist--1 md:grid-cols-1\">\n            <div class=\"space-y-1\">\n                    \n            <div class=\"pl-4 text-cu-red-700\">\n                <div class=\"flex gap-2 pb-3 text-base md:text-lg\">\n                    <span class=\"font-light text-cu-black-700\">\n                        1.\n                    <\/span>\n\n                    <a href=\"#high-level-summary\" class=\"font-medium hover:underline\">\n                        High Level Summary\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                    \n            <div class=\"pl-4 text-cu-red-700\">\n                <div class=\"flex gap-2 pb-3 text-base md:text-lg\">\n                    <span class=\"font-light text-cu-black-700\">\n                        2.\n                    <\/span>\n\n                    <a href=\"#administrative-and-registration-considerations\" class=\"font-medium hover:underline\">\n                        Administrative and Registration Considerations\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                    \n            <div class=\"pl-4 text-cu-red-700\">\n                <div class=\"flex gap-2 pb-3 text-base md:text-lg\">\n                    <span class=\"font-light text-cu-black-700\">\n                        3.\n                    <\/span>\n\n                    <a href=\"#immigration-considerations\" class=\"font-medium hover:underline\">\n                        Immigration Considerations\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                    \n            <div class=\"pl-4 text-cu-red-700\">\n                <div class=\"flex gap-2 pb-3 text-base md:text-lg\">\n                    <span class=\"font-light text-cu-black-700\">\n                        4.\n                    <\/span>\n\n                    <a href=\"#how-to-request-a-leave-of-absence\" class=\"font-medium hover:underline\">\n                        How to Request a Leave of Absence\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                    \n            <div class=\"pl-4 text-cu-red-700\">\n                <div class=\"flex gap-2 pb-3 text-base md:text-lg\">\n                    <span class=\"font-light text-cu-black-700\">\n                        5.\n                    <\/span>\n\n                    <a href=\"#no-work-is-authorized-during-a-leave-of-absence-and-until-full-time-studies-are-resumed\" class=\"font-medium hover:underline\">\n                        No Work is Authorized During a Leave of Absence and Until Full-Time Studies are Resumed\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                    \n            <div class=\"pl-4 text-cu-red-700\">\n                <div class=\"flex gap-2 pb-3 text-base md:text-lg\">\n                    <span class=\"font-light text-cu-black-700\">\n                        6.\n                    <\/span>\n\n                    <a href=\"#university-health-insurance-plan-uhip-coverage-during-a-leave-of-absence\" class=\"font-medium hover:underline\">\n                        University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) Coverage During a Leave of Absence\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>University students may need or want to take a break from active studies in various circumstances. International students must be aware of both university regulations and immigration requirements for study permit holders related to breaks from study.&nbsp;This page explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>University regulations on student registration, which are different for graduate and undergraduate students<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Immigration regulations concerning study permit validity and study permit holder compliance in relation to breaks from study<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to apply for a Leave of Absence (LOA).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"high-level-summary\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Level Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If an international student takes a break from study that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not consider to be an \u201cauthorized break from studies\u201d, their study permit can become invalid before its expiry date. The student will have to apply for a new study permit before returning to active studies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Leave of Absence that is approved by Carleton can maintain validity of the study permit, provided the leave is for one term only.\u00a0A study permit does not authorize work in Canada when the student is on a Leave of Absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"administrative-and-registration-considerations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Administrative and Registration Considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">International Graduate Students<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carleton international graduate students are required to maintain continuous registration. The only exceptions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If their&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/calendar.carleton.ca\/grad\/gradprograms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>graduate program calendar<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;designates a term as a regularly scheduled break for immigration purposes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If their program allows the student to \u201cNot Register\u201d(NR), usually for a summer term.&nbsp;<strong>The NR<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>option is not recommended for international students<\/strong>, as it does not meet&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/study-canada\/study-permit\/prepare-arrival\/study-permit-conditions.html#s01.1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada\u2019s requirements for an authorized leave<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless they have a regularly scheduled program break, international graduate students should request a Leave of Absence to ensure that they may return to their program after a break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">International Undergraduate Students<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/calendar.carleton.ca\/undergrad\/regulations\/academicregulationsoftheuniversity\/registration-evaluation-records\/#full-and-part-time-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Carleton\u2019s Undergraduate Regulations<\/strong><\/a>, the summer term is a regularly scheduled break for immigration purposes for most students in most programs. Note that a regularly scheduled break as described for immigration purposes does not supersede the requirement to register in co-op, a practicum, an internship, continuous registration in a thesis course, or the continuous registration requirement for the B.Sc.N. program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>International students may need Leaves of Absence for immigration purposes if they will take a break during a term that is not a regularly scheduled break.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"immigration-considerations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Immigration Considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Conditions that study permit holders must meet are established by Canada\u2019s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/laws-lois.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/regulations\/SOR-2002-227\/page-30.html#docCont\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IRPR 220.1(1)<\/a> requires most international students to remain registered in classes and to make progress in their studies while they are in Canada. There are\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/corporate\/publications-manuals\/operational-bulletins-manuals\/temporary-residents\/study-permits\/assessing-conditions.html#exemptions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exemptions<\/a>\u00a0that apply to some study permit holders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/laws-lois.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/regulations\/SOR-2002-227\/section-222.html\">IRPR 222(1)(a.1)<\/a>&nbsp;says that a study permit becomes invalid \u201c the day on which the permit holder is no longer enrolled at the designated learning institution that is named in the permit, other than as a result of completing their studies\u201d. This rule does not specify that the study permit holder is in Canada; and there are no classes of study permit holders who are exempted.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A student is considered to be enrolled for the purposes of IRPR 222(1)(a.1) in these situations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A regularly scheduled program break of at most 150 days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Leave of Absence that is formally granted by their school and lasts for at most 150 days.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Their study permit remains valid for return to active studies in the following term.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few other types of 150-day authorized leaves for immigration purposes are when the student is changing schools, a school is closed permanently or on strike, or when admission is deferred by one term. Learn more about authorized leaves from study at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/study-canada\/study-permit\/prepare-arrival\/study-permit-conditions.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>IRCC website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students who take other kinds of breaks, including Leaves of Absence for more than 150 days, may have their study permit invalidated if they are not enrolled, even if it the permit has not reached its expiry date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Continuing to study with an invalid study permit will be considered study without authorization, which may affect the student\u2019s next application for a study or work permit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students who are not in Canada during their break will have to apply for a new study permit before returning to Canada.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students who wish to stay in Canada during their break must make an application to remain in Canada as visitor or worker BEFORE they leave school or before the end of their authorized leave. If their study permit becomes invalid, there is no option to restore status. Applying to change status maintains valid temporary resident status,&nbsp;<em>but does not prevent the study permit from becoming invalid.&nbsp;<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Most students will have to apply to stay as a vistor, however, some students may be eligible for a work permit. They may check eligibility for a work permit using\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/come-canada-tool.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>IRCC\u2019s online assessment tool<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the student is ready to return to school, they will have to apply for a new study permit. For most students, this will be a visa office application. A few students in Canada may be eligible to apply for the new study permit as in-Canada extension of status. The GO-ISSO can help students to determine their best option.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-request-a-leave-of-absence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Request a Leave of Absence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">International Graduate Students<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Graduate students may request a Leave of Absence by completing the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/mae\/wp-content\/uploads\/Academic_Registration-Change-Form.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Academic Registration Change Form<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and returning it to their graduate program administrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the LOA is approved, the Office of Graduate Studies will send an email that may be used as confirmation of the LOA, should it be needed for future immigration applications. The GO-ISSO will send a follow-up email with immigration and University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) information. The GO-ISSO will also send reminders to return to active study near the end of the leave period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>International graduate students may request LOAs for more than one term. However, multi-term LOAs cannot be authorized breaks for immigration purposes and will invalidate the study permit. Students who wish to remain in Canada should maintain valid temporary resident status by applying to change to visitor or worker status. In all cases, students with multi-term LOAs will have to apply for a new study permit before returning to studies because their previous study permit is invalid, even if it hasn&#8217;t passed the expiry date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>For personal advising and support please contact the GO-ISSO immigration advising team: immigration.advising@carleton.ca<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">International Undergraduate Students<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>International undergraduate students who are considering not registering or withdrawing from a Fall or Winter term should consult an immigration advisor at the <a href=\"mailto:immigration.advising@cunet.carleton.ca?subject=LOA\">GO-ISSO<\/a>\u00a0beforehand. The advisor will discuss eligibility for a LOA, and advise the student on how to submit their request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The request for a Leave of Absence must include the student\u2019s plan for returning to studies in the term following the leave (excluding a regularly scheduled break).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the LOA is approved, the student will receive a Certificate of Enrolment confirming the LOA from the Registrar\u2019s Office. This Certificate may be used as official confirmation of the LOA, should it be needed for future immigration purposes.\u00a0The student will also receive a follow-up email from the GO-ISSO with immigration and UHIP information, as well as reminders to return to active studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"no-work-is-authorized-during-a-leave-of-absence-and-until-full-time-studies-are-resumed\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">No Work is Authorized During a Leave of Absence and Until Full-Time Studies are Resumed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Study permit holders are not authorized to work in Canada, either on campus or off campus, while they are on a Leave of Absence. A co-op work permit does not authorize work for a student who is on a Leave of Absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students are also not authorized to work during any school break period immediately following the LOA. For example, if the student has a LOA for the Winter term, they may not work during the summer term.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The student may begin working again as authorized by their study permit on the first day of the next term in which they are registered as a full-time student at Carleton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"university-health-insurance-plan-uhip-coverage-during-a-leave-of-absence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) Coverage During a Leave of Absence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Students must advise the GO-<a href=\"mailto:uhip@cunet.carleton.ca\">ISSO<\/a>&nbsp;whether they are planning to remain in Canada or will be outside of Canada during their Leave of Absence (LOA). If they will remain in Canada, their student account will be charged for UHIP coverage during their LOA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:Questions%20about%20UHIP%20can%20be%20directed%20to:%20uhip@carleton.ca\">Questions about UHIP can be directed to: uhip@carleton.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>University students may need or want to take a break from active studies in various circumstances. International students must be aware of both university regulations and immigration requirements for study permit holders related to breaks from study.&nbsp;This page explains: High Level Summary If an international student takes a break from study that Immigration, Refugees and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":9509,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[192],"class_list":["post-35586","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-general"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35586"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35586\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43975,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35586\/revisions\/43975"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/go-isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=35586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}