International students can take up to 150 days authorized leave while maintaining study permit compliance
On This Page You Will Find:
- Emergency situations that qualify for authorized student leave
- Exact 150-day limit rules and what happens if you exceed them
- How authorized leave affects your work permit and PGWP eligibility
- Required documentation to maintain legal status during leave
- Step-by-step process for getting school approval
- Critical mistakes that could jeopardize your immigration status
Summary:
International students in Canada now have clearer guidelines for taking authorized leave while maintaining their study permit status. New 2026 regulations allow up to 150 consecutive days of approved leave for qualifying situations including medical emergencies, family crises, pregnancy, and military service. However, students cannot work during this period, and exceeding the 150-day limit could disqualify you from the Post-Graduation Work Permit. Understanding these rules is crucial for the 800,000+ international students currently studying in Canada who may face unexpected circumstances requiring time away from their studies.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Students can take up to 150 consecutive days of authorized leave while remaining compliant with study permits
- Work authorization is completely suspended during any authorized leave period
- Exceeding 150 days requires changing to visitor status or leaving Canada
- Authorized leave under 150 days should not affect Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility
- All leave must be approved in writing by your Designated Learning Institution
Maria Santos stared at her phone in disbelief. Her father had suffered a heart attack back home in Brazil, and her family needed her immediately. As an international student at the University of Toronto, she wondered: Could she leave Canada to care for her father without jeopardizing her study permit? Would this affect her dream of obtaining a Post-Graduation Work Permit after graduation?
If you've ever faced a similar crisis while studying in Canada, you're not alone. Thousands of international students encounter unexpected situations requiring time away from their studies each year. The good news? Canada's immigration system recognizes that life happens, and there are specific provisions to help you navigate these challenging circumstances while protecting your legal status.
Understanding Authorized Leave: Your Safety Net
International students in Canada have a crucial but often misunderstood option: authorized leave. This provision allows you to step away from your studies temporarily while maintaining compliance with your study permit conditions. Think of it as a pause button for your academic journey – one that won't derail your immigration goals if used correctly.
The cornerstone of this system is the 150-day rule. You can take up to 150 consecutive days of authorized leave and still be considered "actively pursuing studies" in the eyes of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This isn't just bureaucratic flexibility – it's recognition that international students are human beings who may face emergencies, health crises, or family obligations that require immediate attention.
Qualifying Situations: When Life Demands Your Attention
Medical and Health Emergencies
Your health comes first, and Canadian immigration policy reflects this priority. Medical qualifying situations include:
- Serious illness requiring extended treatment or recovery
- Mental health crises that prevent you from continuing studies
- Pregnancy-related complications or preparation for childbirth
- Medical emergencies requiring immediate intervention
For pregnancy and parental leave specifically, the rules are more flexible. You may receive initial approval for longer than one academic term, recognizing that childbirth and early parenting don't follow semester schedules.
Family Crises That Can't Wait
Family emergencies represent some of the most emotionally challenging situations students face. Qualifying circumstances include:
- Death of an immediate family member requiring your presence for funeral arrangements or estate matters
- Serious illness of a parent, spouse, or child needing your care
- Other urgent family situations requiring immediate attention
These situations often arise without warning, making the authorized leave provision particularly valuable for students who need to return home quickly.
Military Service Obligations
Whether mandatory or voluntary, military service represents a significant life commitment that may interrupt your studies. Both required military service in your home country and voluntary service are recognized as qualifying situations for authorized leave.
Institutional Circumstances Beyond Your Control
Sometimes the disruption isn't personal – it's institutional. Qualifying situations include:
- Temporary or permanent school closures
- Faculty strikes that prevent normal class operations
- Program cancellations requiring you to find alternative arrangements
- Institutional issues that force a change of schools
These circumstances are particularly frustrating because they're completely outside your control, but the authorized leave provision ensures you won't be penalized for institutional problems.
The 150-Day Rule: Your Timeline for Success
The 150-day limit isn't arbitrary – it represents a careful balance between flexibility and program integrity. Here's how it works in practice:
Days 1-150: You remain in compliance with your study permit conditions. You're still considered to be "actively pursuing studies" even though you're not physically attending classes or completing coursework.
Day 151 and beyond: Your status changes dramatically. You're no longer considered to be actively pursuing studies, which means you must either:
- Change your status to visitor (if eligible)
- Leave Canada entirely
- Face potential compliance issues with your study permit
This hard deadline means timing is everything. If you anticipate needing more than 150 days away from your studies, you'll need to plan your immigration status change well in advance.
Work Restrictions: The Trade-Off You Need to Know
Here's where many students get caught off guard: you cannot work during authorized leave. This restriction applies to both on-campus and off-campus employment, even if your study permit normally allows you to work 20 hours per week during studies.
This makes financial planning crucial. If you're taking authorized leave, you need to ensure you have sufficient funds to support yourself without employment income. The restriction lasts for the entire duration of your authorized leave, from day one through your return to studies.
Documentation: Protecting Your Future
While you don't need to notify IRCC when taking authorized leave, proper documentation is your insurance policy. You'll need:
Written approval from your Designated Learning Institution (DLI): This is non-negotiable. Verbal approval isn't sufficient – get everything in writing.
Supporting documentation for your qualifying situation:
- Medical certificates for health-related leave
- Birth certificates and medical notes for pregnancy leave
- Death certificates or medical documentation for family emergencies
- Military service documentation for service-related leave
Proof of your intent to return: Keep records showing your plan to resume studies, such as course registration for future terms or communication with academic advisors.
Impact on Your Post-Graduation Work Permit Dreams
For most international students, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) represents the ultimate goal – your pathway to Canadian work experience and potentially permanent residence. The good news is that authorized leave under 150 days should not affect your PGWP eligibility.
IRCC requires "continuous full-time study" for PGWP eligibility, but authorized leave under 150 days is considered part of actively pursuing studies. This means Maria, our student from the introduction, could care for her father for up to 150 days without jeopardizing her post-graduation work opportunities.
However, exceeding 150 days creates complications. Extended leave may be viewed as breaking the continuity of your studies, potentially disqualifying you from the PGWP. This is why the 150-day limit is so critical – it's not just about study permit compliance, but about protecting your long-term immigration goals.
Common Mistakes That Could Cost You
Mistake #1: Assuming all leave is automatically authorized Your school must approve your leave in writing. Taking unauthorized time off, even for legitimate reasons, doesn't provide the same protections.
Mistake #2: Working during authorized leave Even part-time or remote work for a previous employer can violate the conditions of your authorized leave.
Mistake #3: Failing to track your days accurately The 150-day count starts from your first day of leave, not from when you receive approval. Keep meticulous records.
Mistake #4: Not planning for extended situations If you might need more than 150 days, start planning your status change early. Don't wait until day 149 to figure out your options.
Your Action Plan: Steps to Take Now
Before you need leave:
- Understand your school's authorized leave policies and procedures
- Keep important documents easily accessible
- Know who to contact at your institution for emergency approvals
When requesting leave:
- Contact your school's international student services immediately
- Provide all required documentation promptly
- Get written confirmation of your approved leave dates
- Understand any specific conditions or requirements
During your leave:
- Maintain communication with your school
- Keep detailed records of your time away
- Plan your return to studies well in advance
- Avoid any work or employment activities
Before returning:
- Confirm your course registration and academic standing
- Ensure your study permit remains valid
- Update any necessary documentation with your school
Looking Forward: Your Path Back to Success
Authorized leave isn't a detour from your Canadian education journey – it's a bridge that helps you navigate life's unexpected challenges while keeping your immigration goals intact. Whether you're dealing with a health crisis, family emergency, or institutional disruption, understanding these rules empowers you to make informed decisions about your future.
Remember, taking authorized leave is a sign of wisdom, not weakness. It shows you understand the importance of addressing serious situations while protecting your legal status and long-term opportunities in Canada. With proper planning, documentation, and adherence to the 150-day rule, you can handle life's curveballs without sacrificing your dreams of building a future in Canada.
The key is preparation and understanding. By knowing these rules now, before you need them, you're already ahead of thousands of other international students who might face similar situations unprepared. Your Canadian education journey may have temporary pauses, but with authorized leave provisions, it doesn't have to have permanent detours.
FAQ
Q: What exactly qualifies as an "emergency situation" for the 150-day authorized leave, and how do I prove it to my school?
Emergency situations fall into four main categories: medical emergencies (serious illness, mental health crises, pregnancy complications), family crises (death or serious illness of immediate family members), military service obligations, and institutional circumstances beyond your control (school closures, faculty strikes). To prove your situation, you'll need specific documentation like medical certificates from licensed practitioners, death certificates, military service papers, or official institutional notices. Your Designated Learning Institution will review these documents and determine if your situation qualifies. The key is providing comprehensive, official documentation that clearly demonstrates the emergency nature and timeline of your situation. Keep in mind that each school may have slightly different approval processes, so contact your international student services office immediately when the situation arises.
Q: Can I work remotely for my current employer or take on freelance work during my 150-day authorized leave period?
No, you cannot work in any capacity during authorized leave, including remote work, freelance projects, or continuing with your current employer. This restriction applies to both on-campus and off-campus employment, even if your study permit normally allows you to work 20 hours per week during studies. The work prohibition is absolute and lasts for the entire duration of your authorized leave period. This means you need to plan financially before taking leave, ensuring you have sufficient funds to support yourself without any employment income. Violating this restriction could jeopardize your study permit status and future immigration applications. If you're currently employed, you'll need to discuss temporary leave options with your employer or formally resign from your position before your authorized leave begins.
Q: What happens if my emergency situation extends beyond 150 days? Do I have to leave Canada immediately?
If your situation requires more than 150 days, you don't have to leave Canada immediately, but you must change your immigration status before day 151. Your main options include applying to change your status to visitor, which allows you to remain in Canada legally but without study or work authorization. Alternatively, you could leave Canada temporarily and return when ready to resume studies, provided your study permit remains valid. Some students choose to formally withdraw from their program and reapply later. The critical point is that you cannot remain on a study permit after 150 days of authorized leave, as you're no longer considered to be "actively pursuing studies." Start planning your status change well before reaching the 150-day limit, as processing times for visitor status applications can take several weeks.
Q: Will taking authorized leave affect my Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility, and how should I document everything to protect my future applications?
Authorized leave under 150 days should not affect your PGWP eligibility, as you're still considered to be "actively pursuing studies" during this period. However, exceeding 150 days may break the "continuous full-time study" requirement for PGWP eligibility. To protect your future applications, maintain detailed documentation including written approval from your school with specific start and end dates, all supporting documents for your emergency situation, proof of your intent to return to studies, and records showing you didn't work during the leave period. Keep copies of all correspondence with your school and any official letters confirming your authorized leave status. This documentation becomes crucial when applying for your PGWP, as it demonstrates you remained compliant with study permit conditions throughout your leave period.
Q: How quickly can I get approval for authorized leave in a true emergency, and what's the step-by-step process?
Most schools can process emergency authorized leave requests within 24-48 hours when proper documentation is provided, recognizing that true emergencies don't wait for regular business hours. The typical process involves: immediately contacting your school's international student services office (many have emergency contact procedures), submitting a formal written request explaining your situation, providing all required supporting documentation (medical certificates, death certificates, etc.), receiving written approval with specific dates from your Designated Learning Institution, and keeping all documentation for your records. Many schools have expedited procedures for genuine emergencies, including weekend and after-hours processing capabilities. However, remember that your leave period begins from when you actually stop attending classes, not from when you receive formal approval, so accurate date tracking is essential for staying within the 150-day limit.
Q: Are there different rules for pregnancy-related leave, and can my partner also take authorized leave for our newborn?
Pregnancy-related authorized leave has more flexible provisions compared to other emergency situations. You may receive initial approval for longer than one academic term, recognizing that childbirth and early parenting don't follow semester schedules. The 150-day rule still applies for maintaining study permit compliance, but schools often provide additional accommodations for academic requirements and course scheduling. Your partner, if also an international student, may qualify for authorized leave to support you during pregnancy complications or to care for your newborn, but they'll need separate approval from their institution. Both partners cannot work during their respective authorized leave periods. Documentation requirements include medical certificates confirming pregnancy, expected due dates, any complications requiring extended leave, and birth certificates once the child is born. Plan ahead by discussing your situation with academic advisors and international student services well before your due date to ensure smooth transitions.
Q: What are the most critical mistakes international students make with authorized leave that could jeopardize their immigration status?
The most costly mistakes include taking unauthorized time off without written school approval, assuming verbal permission is sufficient, working in any capacity during the leave period (including remote work or freelancing), miscounting days and exceeding the 150-day limit, failing to maintain proper documentation of their qualifying emergency situation, and not planning ahead for situations that might extend beyond 150 days. Many students also make the mistake of not informing their school immediately when an emergency arises, leading to gaps in their authorized status. Another critical error is assuming that authorized leave automatically extends their study permit validity – your permit expiration date doesn't change. Students sometimes continue working for previous employers, thinking remote work doesn't count, which can result in serious compliance violations. To avoid these mistakes, always get written approval, maintain detailed day counts, cease all work activities immediately, and keep comprehensive documentation of both your emergency situation and your school's approval process.
