Per Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) policy, international students require a study permit to study in Canada, and must comply with the terms of the permit throughout their studies. Foremost among the terms of a study permit is the requirement to be actively pursuing studies by maintaining continuous enrolment at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), without any unauthorized breaks in study.
By process of appeal to the college’s Registrar, study permit holders in good academic standing may be eligible to take an authorized leave from studies under certain circumstances beyond their control, and still be considered actively pursuing studies during the approved period. Authorized leave from studies may extend to a maximum of 150 days or one regular term.
Reasons for requesting authorized leave from studies could include (for example):
- Medical – Critical physical or mental condition/illness
- Pregnancy/Maternity – third trimester or high-risk pregnancy, recent childbirth
- Family – critical immediate family emergency or death of an immediate family member
Adequate written/documented evidence to support the request must be included and may not contain photographs or videos of a graphic nature. This information will be regarded as strictly confidential between the Registrar and the student (i.e., not shared with others or saved in the student record) unless information disclosed raises a concern for the safety of the student or others.
Students approved for a period of authorized leave by Alexander College are not required to inform IRCC, but should retain a letter of Confirmation of Authorized Leave for their own records (if proof of approval is requested by IRCC at a later date). Students approved for authorized leave must return to full-time studies in the subsequent term, and may not work during the authorized leave.
To request authorized leave from Alexander College for up to one regular term, students are required to:
Applicants will be contacted if more information is needed, and notified of the decision within 10 business days. If approved, students will be provided with a Confirmation of Authorized Leave letter.