Canada Student Leave Rules: 150-Day Limit & No Notification

International students navigate authorized leave requirements in Canada

On This Page You Will Find:

• The truth about whether you need to notify IRCC before taking authorized leave
• Critical 150-day rule that could affect your study permit status
• Work restrictions during leave that many students don't know about
• Documentation requirements for future immigration applications
• What happens if you exceed the maximum leave period

Summary:

If you're a Canadian international student considering taking time off from your studies, you're probably wondering whether you need to jump through bureaucratic hoops with immigration authorities first. Here's the surprising truth: you don't need to notify IRCC before taking authorized leave, but there's a crucial 150-day limit that could make or break your study permit status. This comprehensive guide reveals everything you need to know about authorized leave requirements, work restrictions during your break, and the documentation you'll need to protect your future immigration applications. Understanding these rules now could save you from costly mistakes that force you to leave Canada or jeopardize your post-graduation work opportunities.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Students don't need to notify IRCC before taking authorized leave from their studies
• Authorized leave cannot exceed 150 consecutive days or you'll lose "actively pursuing studies" status
• You cannot work on or off campus during any authorized leave period
• Your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) must authorize any leave you take
• Proper documentation is essential for future Post-Graduation Work Permit applications

Maria Santos stared at her laptop screen in her Toronto apartment, exhausted from months of intensive coursework at her university. A family emergency back home in Brazil meant she needed to take several months off from her master's program, but one question kept her awake at night: would taking leave jeopardize her study permit status in Canada?

If you're facing a similar situation, you're not alone. Thousands of international students in Canada each year need to take authorized leave for various reasons – family emergencies, health issues, financial challenges, or simply academic burnout. The good news? The process is more straightforward than you might think, but there are critical rules you absolutely must follow.

Understanding Authorized Leave: What You Need to Know

The most important thing to understand about authorized leave in Canada is this: you don't need to notify Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before taking your break. This comes as a surprise to many students who assume they need government approval for every change to their academic status.

However, don't let this simplicity fool you into thinking there aren't important rules to follow. While you don't need advance permission from IRCC, you do need to ensure your leave meets specific criteria that protect your study permit status.

Think of it this way: IRCC operates on a trust-but-verify system. They trust that you and your institution will handle authorized leave appropriately, but if they ask for proof later (and they often do), you better have all your documentation in perfect order.

The Critical 150-Day Rule That Changes Everything

Here's where things get serious: your authorized leave cannot exceed 150 consecutive days. This isn't a suggestion – it's a hard limit that determines whether you're considered to be "actively pursuing studies" under Canadian immigration law.

Why 150 days specifically? This timeframe represents roughly five months, which IRCC considers the maximum reasonable break while still maintaining student status. Cross this threshold, and you're no longer considered an active student in the eyes of Canadian immigration authorities.

Let's put this in perspective with a real-world scenario. If you start your authorized leave on January 15th, you must return to active studies by June 13th to stay within the 150-day limit. Miss this deadline by even one day, and you'll face serious consequences for your immigration status.

The math here is unforgiving. Unlike academic deadlines that might have some flexibility, the 150-day rule is absolute. There are no extensions, no appeals, and no "special circumstances" that allow you to exceed this limit while maintaining your study permit status.

What Happens When You Exceed the 150-Day Limit

If you're thinking about pushing past the 150-day limit, here's what you're facing: you'll lose your status as someone "actively pursuing studies" and must either change to visitor status or leave Canada entirely.

This isn't just a bureaucratic inconvenience – it's a fundamental change to your legal status in Canada. Once you're no longer considered an active student, your study permit conditions no longer apply, which means you can't simply return to classes whenever you feel ready.

Your options at this point become limited and stressful:

Option 1: Change to Visitor Status – You can apply to change your status from student to visitor, but this process takes time, costs money, and doesn't guarantee approval. While your application is processing, you're in a legal gray area that many students find anxiety-inducing.

Option 2: Leave Canada and Return Later – You can leave Canada before the 150-day limit expires and return when you're ready to resume studies. However, re-entering Canada always carries some risk, as border officers have discretion in their decisions.

Option 3: Face Non-Compliance Consequences – If you do nothing and exceed 150 days while remaining in Canada, you'll be considered non-compliant with your study permit conditions. This can lead to removal from Canada and difficulty obtaining future visas or permits.

Your Institution Must Authorize Your Leave

While you don't need IRCC's permission for authorized leave, you absolutely need approval from your Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This requirement isn't optional – it's fundamental to the entire concept of "authorized" leave.

Different institutions have different processes for authorizing leave. Some universities have streamlined online systems where you can submit your request and receive approval within days. Others require in-person meetings with academic advisors, documentation of your reasons for leave, and formal committee approvals.

Start this process early. Don't wait until the last minute to request authorization, especially if you're dealing with a family emergency or health crisis. Most institutions are understanding about legitimate needs for leave, but they need time to process your request properly.

Keep detailed records of your authorization process. Save emails, print approval letters, and maintain copies of any forms you submit. This documentation becomes crucial if IRCC later requests proof that your leave was properly authorized.

Work Restrictions During Your Leave Period

Here's a rule that catches many students off guard: you cannot work on or off campus during authorized leave, even if your study permit normally allows you to work. This restriction applies from day one of your leave until you return to active studies.

This means if you're taking a 120-day authorized leave, you cannot work for those entire 120 days, even though you're well within the 150-day limit and maintaining your study permit status. The logic behind this rule is straightforward – if you're not actively studying, you shouldn't be accessing work privileges that are tied to your student status.

For students who rely on part-time work to support themselves, this creates a financial planning challenge. You'll need to ensure you have enough savings to cover your expenses during your leave period, or arrange for financial support from family or other sources.

Some students try to work under the table during authorized leave, thinking they won't get caught. This is incredibly risky and can result in serious immigration consequences, including removal from Canada and bans on future applications.

Documentation Requirements for Future Applications

While you don't need to notify IRCC before taking authorized leave, you'll likely need to provide detailed documentation about your leave when you apply for future immigration benefits, particularly a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

PGWP applications require you to demonstrate that you maintained valid student status throughout your program, including during any authorized leaves. This means you'll need to provide:

Proof of DLI Authorization – Official documentation from your institution showing they approved your leave, including start and end dates.

Evidence of Compliance – Documentation showing your leave didn't exceed 150 days and that you returned to active studies as planned.

Academic Records – Transcripts or enrollment records showing your academic progression before and after your leave period.

Create a dedicated file for all leave-related documentation as soon as you start considering taking time off. Don't rely on being able to retrieve these documents months or years later when you're applying for post-graduation benefits.

The 2026 Changes: What's New for Graduate Students

Starting January 1, 2026, there's an important change that affects some students, though it doesn't directly impact authorized leave requirements. Master's and doctoral students enrolled at public DLIs will no longer need to submit Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letters (PAL/TAL) with their study permit applications.

While this change doesn't alter authorized leave notification requirements, it's part of a broader trend toward streamlining certain immigration processes for graduate students. This suggests that IRCC recognizes the administrative burden on students and institutions and is working to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy where possible.

However, don't assume this trend extends to authorized leave requirements. The 150-day rule and other leave-related regulations remain firmly in place for 2026 and beyond.

Strategic Planning for Your Authorized Leave

If you're considering authorized leave, approach it strategically rather than reactively. Emergency situations sometimes don't allow for extensive planning, but when possible, consider these factors:

Timing Within Your Program – Taking leave early in your program gives you more flexibility for future planning. Taking leave near the end of your studies can complicate graduation timelines and PGWP applications.

Financial Implications – Remember that you can't work during leave, and your program completion will be delayed. Factor these costs into your decision-making process.

Academic Consequences – While authorized leave protects your immigration status, it may still have academic implications like losing course sequences, missing research opportunities, or delaying graduation.

Future Immigration Plans – Consider how authorized leave might affect your timeline for applying for permanent residence or other immigration programs that have specific requirements about study completion dates.

Common Mistakes That Can Derail Your Plans

Even though authorized leave rules are relatively straightforward, students frequently make costly mistakes. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid:

Assuming Verbal Authorization Is Sufficient – Always get written authorization from your DLI. Verbal approvals from professors or advisors don't count if IRCC requests documentation.

Miscounting Days – The 150-day limit includes weekends and holidays. Use a calendar to count carefully, and consider returning to studies a few days early to build in a safety margin.

Working During Leave – Remember that work restrictions apply immediately when your authorized leave begins, regardless of when you physically stop attending classes.

Poor Documentation – Keep copies of everything related to your authorized leave. Digital copies stored in multiple locations are your best protection against lost paperwork.

Extending Leave Without Re-Authorization – If you need to extend your leave, treat it as a new authorization request. Don't assume your original authorization covers extended time periods.

Taking authorized leave from your studies in Canada doesn't require advance notification to IRCC, but it does require careful planning and strict adherence to the 150-day rule. The key to success lies in getting proper authorization from your DLI, maintaining detailed documentation, understanding work restrictions, and planning your return to studies well within the time limits.

Remember that while the rules are clear, the consequences of non-compliance are serious. When in doubt, consult with your institution's international student services office or consider speaking with an immigration lawyer. The cost of professional advice is minimal compared to the potential consequences of making mistakes with your study permit status.

Your authorized leave should be a time for addressing whatever circumstances require your attention, not a period of constant worry about immigration compliance. By following these guidelines and maintaining proper documentation, you can take the time you need while protecting your future opportunities in Canada.