If you would like to take an emergency leave from studies for less than two weeks, you must communicate with your course instructors and program department. They can grant permission for an emergency leave and will work with you to account for missed assignments and time in class.
If you are taking a leave from studies more than two weeks and this leave would hinder your ability to compete your courses, you may want to consider taking an authorized leave for an entire term.
What is an authorized leave from studies?
An authorized leave from studies of allows a study permit holder to remain in Canada on leave from their studies without violating their study permit conditions for up to 150 days.
What if I do not resume my studies within 150 days?
If you do not resume your studies within 150 days, IRCC recommends that you should either:
- change your status to a visitor status or worker status, or
- leave Canada and return once you are ready to resume your studies.
If you do not change your status or leave Canada, you are considered non-compliant with your study permit conditions and may be asked to leave Canada.
Do I need to let IRCC know that I am taking a leave from studies?
You do not need to inform IRCC prior to taking an authorized leave. Post-secondary institutions in Canada are required to report on the enrolment status of our international students, and your leave will be included on the report we send to IRCC.
Important actions to complete if taking a leave from studies
| Drop courses | You must drop your courses prior to the academic deadline. You will be able to drop all your courses except for one if you are not registered for courses in an upcoming term. The Office of the Registrar can support you in dropping your final course once you have dropped your other courses. |
| Health insurance | If you are inside Canada, you may require supplementary health insurance. A student may be eligible to enrol in UHIP if they take a 150-day leave. Contact uhip@trentu.ca to discuss your circumstances and determine eligibility. |
| Documentation | Keep record of any documentation relating to your leave, such as medical records or financial documentation. |
| Working | You cannot work on or off campus without a work permit (as per your study permit conditions) when you are not a full-time enrolled student. You may resume work once you are registered full-time and have resumed your classes.
|
| Post-Graduation Work Permit | A leave from studies could impact your eligibility to receive a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). You need to provide IRCC with a clear and evident explanation of your leave if you choose to apply for a PWGP. You will also need evidence your leave was authorized by Trent University. An authorized leave does not guarantee a positive PGWP application outcome. |
| Academic deadline | If the academic deadline has passed, your final grade will be noted on your transcript. |
| Financial deadline | You are responsible to pay for the courses you were registered in beyond the financial deadline. |
| Trent services | You will not have access to services provided by Trent which are regularly included in your tuition and ancillary fees during any term you do not register and pay fees. |
| If your leave will exceed 150 days | You must change your status to visitor or worker to stay in Canada or leave Canada. After changing status to visitor or worker, students may resume their studies, using their previous study permit, as long as the study permit is valid. If the study permit is due to expire when the student resumes their studies, the student must apply to extend their study permit in Canada, using the application to change conditions, extend your stay or remain in Canada as a student, before the expiry date. |
| If leaving Canada | You need a valid passport, valid study permit, and valid entry visa (if applicable) to re-enter Canada after leaving. If these documents will expire while you are out of Canada, you may need to apply for new documents. |
| Return to Trent | As you prepare to resume your studies, reach out to Trent International and we will advise you on your next steps. |
Apply for an Authorized Leave
| UNDERGRADUATE AND POST-GRADUATE CERTIFICATE STUDENTS | GRADUATE (MASTERS/PHD) STUDENTS |
Trent International assesses your request for an Authorized Leave. To apply, visit:
| The School of Graduate Studies assesses your request for an Authorized Leave. To apply, visit:
|
Have questions? Meet with an Immigration Advisor.
If you have questions, we recommend meeting with an Immigration Advisor prior to taking an Authorized Leave. Book an appointment on the Student Experience Portal > Appointment Booking > Trent International > Immigration Advising.