International students protected during institutional closures and strikes
On This Page You Will Find:
- Clear confirmation that school closures qualify as authorized leave under Canadian immigration law
- Essential details about the 150-day rule and how it protects your student status
- Critical documentation requirements to safeguard your future immigration applications
- Work authorization rights during temporary school closures or strikes
- Updated 2026 immigration changes that could affect your study permit
Summary:
If you're an international student facing a school closure due to strikes, emergencies, or institutional issues, you can breathe easier knowing this qualifies as authorized leave under Canadian immigration law. This protection allows you to maintain your student status and work authorization for up to 150 days without violating your study permit conditions. Understanding these rules is crucial as Canada's immigration landscape shifts in 2026, with new study permit caps and changing regulations that could impact your educational journey and future work opportunities.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- School closures due to strikes or emergencies automatically count as authorized leave for up to 150 days
- You can continue working on or off campus during temporary school closures without losing authorization
- No notification to immigration authorities is required, but keep detailed documentation
- Study permit validity must be maintained throughout the closure period
- New 2026 immigration changes don't affect these fundamental authorized leave protections
Maria Santos stared at the email notification on her phone at 7:30 AM, her coffee growing cold as she read the devastating news: her college was closing indefinitely due to a faculty strike. As an international student from Brazil studying in Toronto, her first thought wasn't about missed classes or delayed graduation—it was pure panic about her immigration status. "Am I still legal to work? Will this affect my study permit? What happens if the strike lasts months?"
If you've found yourself in Maria's situation, wondering whether a school closure jeopardizes your status as an international student in Canada, here's what you need to know: school closures absolutely count as authorized leave, and your rights are more protected than you might think.
What Qualifies as Authorized Leave During School Closures
Under Canadian immigration law, several scenarios automatically qualify as authorized leave without requiring special applications or approvals. School closures represent one of the most straightforward cases, particularly when they occur due to circumstances beyond your control.
Automatic Authorized Leave Situations:
- Faculty or staff strikes causing temporary closure
- Permanent institutional closure or bankruptcy
- Emergency closures (natural disasters, health emergencies)
- Deferred admission by one academic term
- Approved transfers between designated learning institutions
The key distinction here is that these leaves are considered "institutional" rather than "personal," meaning they don't reflect any decision or action on your part as a student. Immigration authorities recognize that students shouldn't be penalized for circumstances completely outside their control.
The Critical 150-Day Protection Rule
Here's where the numbers become your lifeline: Canada's immigration system provides a generous 150-day buffer for authorized leaves, including school closures. This isn't just a technicality—it's a substantial protection designed to account for the reality that institutional disruptions can extend for months.
What the 150-Day Rule Covers:
- Temporary closures due to labor disputes or strikes
- Emergency institutional closures
- Time needed to transfer between schools
- Administrative delays in program resumption
During these 150 days, you're considered to be "actively pursuing studies" even though classes aren't in session. This designation is crucial because it maintains your student status and all associated rights, including work authorization.
If Your Closure Exceeds 150 Days: Don't panic if your school closure stretches beyond this timeframe. While gaps exceeding 150 days require additional consideration, they don't automatically invalidate your study permit. As long as your study permit remains valid, you won't face immediate consequences until your next immigration application—such as applying for a post-graduation work permit or extending your studies.
Your Work Rights During School Closures
One of the biggest concerns for international students during school closures is whether they can continue working. The answer is reassuring: your work authorization remains fully intact during authorized leaves caused by school closures.
On-Campus Work Authorization: If you were authorized to work on campus before the closure, this authorization continues throughout the closure period (up to 150 days). This applies even if the physical campus is inaccessible due to strikes or other closure reasons.
Off-Campus Work Authorization: Students who were eligible for off-campus work (typically those who have completed six months of full-time studies) retain this authorization during school closures. You can continue working up to 20 hours per week during regular academic periods, or full-time during scheduled breaks.
Co-op and Internship Programs: If your closure affects a co-op placement or internship that's part of your academic program, these work arrangements can typically continue as they're considered essential components of your education.
Documentation: Your Insurance Policy
While you're not required to notify Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about authorized leave due to school closures, maintaining thorough documentation is absolutely critical for your future immigration applications.
Essential Documents to Collect:
- Official school closure notifications or announcements
- Strike notices or labor dispute documentation
- Communication from your designated learning institution (DLI)
- Academic transcripts showing your enrollment status
- Any correspondence about program resumption timelines
Think of this documentation as insurance for your immigration future. When you apply for a post-graduation work permit, study permit extension, or permanent residence, immigration officers will review your study history. Having clear evidence that any gaps in your studies were due to authorized institutional closures rather than personal choices can make the difference between approval and refusal.
Pro Documentation Tips:
- Screenshot digital communications before they're removed from school portals
- Request official letters from your institution's international student office
- Keep records of any alternative learning arrangements (online classes, delayed start dates)
- Document your efforts to maintain academic progress during the closure
Navigating 2026 Immigration Changes
Canada's immigration landscape is experiencing significant shifts in 2026, with new study permit caps and revised processing procedures. However, these changes don't alter the fundamental protections around authorized leave for school closures.
What's New in 2026:
- National study permit caps affecting most programs
- Enhanced scrutiny of designated learning institutions
- Streamlined processing for master's and doctoral students at public institutions
- Updated post-graduation work permit eligibility requirements
What Remains Unchanged: The 150-day authorized leave rule continues to apply regardless of these broader policy changes. School closures still qualify as legitimate authorized leave, and students retain their work authorization during these periods.
Strategic Considerations for 2026: Given the increased competition for study permits and enhanced institutional oversight, maintaining clean documentation becomes even more critical. Students affected by school closures should be particularly diligent about record-keeping, as immigration officers may scrutinize study patterns more closely under the new system.
Practical Steps During a School Closure
When facing a school closure, taking immediate action can protect your interests and ensure compliance with immigration requirements.
Week 1: Immediate Actions
- Contact your school's international student services office
- Confirm your study permit expiration date
- Gather initial closure documentation
- Notify your employer if you work off-campus (to explain potential schedule changes)
Weeks 2-4: Ongoing Management
- Monitor official communications from your institution
- Connect with fellow international students to share information
- Research alternative study options if the closure appears permanent
- Begin documenting the impact on your academic timeline
Month 2 and Beyond: Long-term Planning
- Assess whether the closure will affect your graduation timeline
- Consider transfer options if the closure extends beyond 150 days
- Plan for potential impacts on post-graduation work permit eligibility
- Consult with an immigration lawyer if the situation becomes complex
When Professional Help Makes Sense
While most school closure situations are straightforward under the authorized leave provisions, certain circumstances warrant professional immigration advice:
- Closures exceeding 150 days with no clear reopening timeline
- Permanent institutional closures requiring program transfers
- Situations affecting students close to study permit expiration
- Complex cases involving multiple immigration applications in progress
Immigration lawyers can provide personalized strategies for maintaining status and achieving your long-term goals despite institutional disruptions.
Looking Beyond the Closure
School closures, while disruptive, don't have to derail your Canadian education and immigration journey. The authorized leave provisions provide substantial protection, and understanding your rights empowers you to navigate these challenges confidently.
Remember that thousands of international students have successfully weathered institutional closures, strikes, and other disruptions while maintaining their immigration status. The key is staying informed, documenting everything, and taking proactive steps to protect your interests.
Your education in Canada represents a significant investment in your future, and the immigration system recognizes that institutional closures shouldn't penalize students for circumstances beyond their control. By understanding these protections and maintaining proper documentation, you can weather temporary disruptions while keeping your long-term goals on track.
Whether your school reopens in weeks or you need to transfer to complete your program elsewhere, the authorized leave provisions ensure you have time and flexibility to make the best decisions for your academic and immigration future. Stay informed, stay documented, and remember that this temporary setback doesn't define your Canadian journey—it's simply one challenge you're equipped to handle with the right knowledge and preparation.
FAQ
Q: What exactly counts as "authorized leave" when my school closes unexpectedly?
Authorized leave during school closures covers any institutional shutdown beyond your control, including faculty strikes, permanent closures due to bankruptcy, emergency closures from natural disasters or health crises, and administrative shutdowns. The key factor is that the closure must be institutional rather than personal—meaning you didn't choose to stop attending. For example, if your college closes due to a faculty strike (like what happened to over 12,000 students during the 2017 Ontario college strike), this automatically qualifies as authorized leave. You don't need to apply for this status or notify immigration authorities. The leave begins the day classes stop and continues until normal operations resume or you transfer to another designated learning institution.
Q: How long can I maintain my student status during a school closure, and what happens if it exceeds this timeframe?
You can maintain full student status for up to 150 consecutive days during authorized leave caused by school closures. This generous timeframe accounts for extended strikes or complex institutional issues. During these 150 days, you're considered "actively pursuing studies" even without attending classes. If your school closure exceeds 150 days, you won't immediately lose your study permit or face deportation, but it may impact future immigration applications like post-graduation work permits. The gap will be reviewed during your next application, where you'll need comprehensive documentation proving the closure was beyond your control. Students have successfully navigated closures lasting 6+ months by maintaining proper documentation and seeking alternative arrangements when possible.
Q: Can I continue working on and off-campus during a school closure, and are there any restrictions?
Yes, you retain full work authorization during school closures that qualify as authorized leave. If you were eligible for on-campus work before the closure, this continues throughout the 150-day period, even if the physical campus is inaccessible. Off-campus work authorization also remains intact—you can still work up to 20 hours per week during what would have been regular academic periods, or full-time during scheduled breaks. Co-op placements and internships that are part of your academic program can typically continue as well. However, ensure your study permit remains valid throughout the closure period, as expired permits void all work authorizations. Keep documentation of your pre-closure work eligibility and any employer communications about schedule adjustments during the institutional shutdown.
Q: What specific documents should I collect during a school closure to protect my future immigration applications?
Start collecting documentation immediately when closure is announced. Essential documents include official school closure notifications, strike notices, emails from administration, academic transcripts showing your enrollment status, and any communication about reopening timelines. Screenshot digital announcements before they're removed from student portals, and request official letters from your international student office confirming the closure circumstances. Document alternative learning arrangements like online classes or deferred start dates, and keep records showing your efforts to maintain academic progress. This documentation serves as insurance for future applications—immigration officers reviewing your study history need clear evidence that gaps were institutional, not personal choices. Students with comprehensive closure documentation report significantly smoother processing for post-graduation work permits and permanent residence applications.
Q: How do the 2026 immigration changes affect my rights during school closures?
The 2026 study permit caps and enhanced institutional oversight don't change your fundamental rights during school closures. The 150-day authorized leave rule remains unchanged, and school closures still qualify as legitimate authorized leave with full work authorization maintained. However, the increased competition for study permits and enhanced scrutiny of designated learning institutions make proper documentation even more critical. Immigration officers may review study patterns more closely under the new system, so students affected by closures should be particularly diligent about record-keeping. If your school loses its designated learning institution status during closure, this could complicate your situation, making it essential to monitor your institution's standing and have transfer options ready.
Q: What should I do if my school closure becomes permanent or exceeds several months?
If your school announces permanent closure or the temporary closure stretches beyond 150 days, act quickly to protect your status. First, contact other designated learning institutions about transfer options—many schools have expedited processes for students from closed institutions. Gather all academic records, transcripts, and transfer credits documentation before administrative systems shut down. Consider whether changing programs or locations aligns with your long-term goals, as this might be an opportunity to upgrade your studies. If the closure significantly delays your graduation timeline, calculate how this affects post-graduation work permit eligibility and future permanent residence applications. Consult an immigration lawyer if the closure occurs near your study permit expiration date or if you have other complex immigration applications in progress, as professional guidance can help navigate transfer procedures and status maintenance strategies.
