Introduction Canada is renowned for its high-quality education system, making it a top choice for international students. However, studying in Canada involves understanding and adhering to specific immigration regulations, particularly when it comes to obtaining and maintaining a study permit. In this article, we’ll explore the crucial aspects of study permit conditions to assist both prospective and current international students in navigating this path.
Understanding Study Permit Conditions Subsection 220.1(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) sets forth two primary conditions for individuals holding a study permit in Canada:
- Enrollment at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and continuous enrollment until the completion of studies.
- Active pursuit of the chosen course or program of study.
Assessing Compliance with Study Permit Conditions Authorities assess a student’s adherence to these conditions through various means, including:
1. Enrollment at a DLI:
- Study permit holders (since June 1, 2014) must be enrolled at a DLI.
- If a student’s institution loses its DLI status after the study permit issuance, the student can continue studying there until the permit expires or transfer to another DLI. However, renewing the permit to continue at the institution without DLI status is not an option.
2. Actively Pursuing Studies:
- Effective June 1, 2014, all study permit holders must actively pursue their courses or programs.
- Active pursuit includes maintaining full-time or part-time enrollment, progressing toward course completion, and following authorized leaves from studies.
- The maximum duration for a leave of absence is 150 days, and multiple leaves may indicate non-compliance.
Specific Situations and Compliance Various scenarios can affect a student’s compliance with study permit conditions, including:
1. Changing Institutions or Programs:
- Students can change institutions or switch programs within the same institution, provided their study permit allows it.
- Changes should aim to make reasonable progress toward obtaining a Canadian credential.
- Reporting such changes promptly is essential.
2. Leave from Studies:
- Students may take leaves for reasons like medical issues, family crises, or program alterations.
- Leaves should not exceed 150 days, and students must resume studies within this period, change their status (e.g., to a visitor or worker), or leave Canada.
3. School Closures:
- Students may need to pause studies during strikes or school closures.
- Transition to a new program, change of status, or leaving Canada should occur within 150 days of school closure.
Documenting Compliance Students may be asked to provide evidence of compliance with their study permit conditions, including official documents from their institution confirming enrollment status, reasons for leave, or program changes. Relevant documents may include:
- Official documents confirming enrollment status, leave approval, or program changes.
- Current and previous transcripts.
- Character references, such as notes from professors.
- Medical practitioner notes certifying medical leave necessity.
- Documentation or letters confirming school closures.
- Any additional documents requested by immigration officers.
Non-Compliance Consequences Failure to adhere to study permit conditions may lead to enforcement actions, including exclusion orders, and negatively impact future applications under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and IRPR.
Exemptions Certain individuals are exempt from standard study permit conditions, including those with pending refugee claims, accredited diplomats, members of designated armed forces, and more.
