Taking a Leave From Studies in Canada: How the 150-Day Rule Can Affect Your Study Permit and PGWP
International students sometimes need to step away from school because of illness, pregnancy, a family emergency or another serious situation. When life becomes difficult, taking a break may feel necessary. However, a break from classes can also affect your Canadian study permit, ability to work and future post-graduation work permit eligibility.
The important question is not simply whether you stopped studying. You must determine whether your designated learning institution, known as a DLI, officially authorized the leave and whether the leave meets Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements.
This guide from 101 Legal Ways explains the authorized leave rules in clear language based on current IRCC information.
A Realistic Scenario: Mei Needs Time Away From School
Mei is an international student completing a two-year business administration diploma in Ontario. During her second year, her father becomes seriously ill in her home country.
Mei tells one of her instructors that she may need to stop attending classes for eight weeks. The instructor expresses sympathy and says that taking time away sounds reasonable. Mei assumes that this conversation means her leave has been approved.
Before booking her flight, Mei speaks with her school’s international student office. She learns that an informal conversation with an instructor may not be enough. She must follow the school’s formal leave process and obtain written confirmation from the DLI.
The school approves her leave because of a family emergency and provides a letter showing the reason, start date and expected return date. Mei also learns that she cannot work on or off campus during the authorized leave.
Her leave does not guarantee future PGWP approval, but the written authorization gives her important evidence that she followed the school’s process and helps her explain the break if IRCC asks about it.
What Does “Actively Pursuing Your Studies” Mean?
Most study permit holders must remain enrolled at a DLI and actively pursue their studies.
According to IRCC, actively pursuing studies generally means:
- Being enrolled full-time or part-time during each academic semester, excluding regularly scheduled breaks
- Making progress toward completing the program
- Not taking an authorized leave longer than 150 days
Failing to meet these conditions may cause a student to lose their status or study permit. The student may also be required to leave Canada.
You can review these requirements on the official IRCC study permit conditions page.
What Is an Authorized Leave From Studies?
An authorized leave is a temporary break that has been officially approved by the student’s DLI.
IRCC says a student may be able to take an authorized leave for up to a maximum of 150 days and still be considered actively pursuing their studies.
A leave may qualify when:
- The school authorizes a leave for medical reasons or pregnancy
- The student has a family emergency
- A family member has died or become seriously ill
- The school authorizes another type of leave
- The school closes permanently
- The school temporarily closes because of a strike
- The student changes schools
- The student or school defers the program’s start date
School authorization is essential. A student should not assume that an absence is authorized simply because an instructor knows about it or because the reason seems reasonable.
Understanding the 150-Day Rule
The authorized leave cannot be longer than 150 days if the student wants the leave to fall within IRCC’s active-pursuit rules.
The 150 days represent a maximum, not an automatic period every student receives. The DLI decides whether it will authorize a leave under its own policies and how long that leave will be.
Students should confirm:
- Whether the DLI has officially approved the leave
- The exact date the leave begins
- The expected return date
- Whether the total absence will remain within 150 days
- What documents the school will provide
- What academic steps are required before returning
If the leave may exceed 150 days, the student should seek current guidance before the deadline. A leave longer than 150 days may mean the student is no longer actively pursuing studies under the study permit conditions.
Authorized Leave and Scheduled Breaks Are Different
Students often confuse an authorized personal leave with a scheduled academic break.
| Authorized leave | Scheduled break |
|---|---|
| Approved individually by the DLI | Listed as a regular break in the school calendar |
| May result from illness, pregnancy or a family emergency | May include summer holidays, winter holidays or reading week |
| Cannot normally exceed 150 days | Must be scheduled by the school and last at least seven consecutive days for the special off-campus work rule |
| Student cannot work on or off campus during the leave | An eligible student may work unlimited hours during a qualifying scheduled break, subject to current limits |
IRCC currently states that eligible students can generally work up to 24 hours per week off campus while classes are in session. During qualifying scheduled breaks, unlimited off-campus work may be permitted. IRCC also limits unlimited off-campus work during regularly scheduled breaks to a total of 180 days in a calendar year.
These scheduled-break rules do not give a student permission to work during an authorized personal leave. See the official IRCC scheduled-break work guidance.
Can You Work During an Authorized Leave?
No. IRCC states that a student cannot work on or off campus during an authorized leave, even if the study permit contains a condition allowing work.
This means a student should stop working when the authorized leave begins. Continuing to work could be considered unauthorized work and may affect future immigration applications.
IRCC provides a limited exception when a school temporarily closes because of a strike. A student who was otherwise authorized to work may remain authorized to work for up to 150 days during that closure.
What Happens When a Program Start Is Deferred?
A deferred program start may count as an authorized leave in certain circumstances.
However, IRCC says the student must begin studies in the next semester, even if that semester starts before the 150-day period ends. The student must also obtain an updated letter of acceptance.
A deferral letter should clearly identify:
- The original program start date
- The new start date
- The program and institution
- Confirmation that the DLI approved the deferral
Students should also confirm that their study permit and travel documents will remain valid for their circumstances.
What Evidence Should You Keep?
A student does not normally have to notify IRCC when beginning an authorized leave. However, IRCC may later ask the student to prove that the leave was authorized and lasted no more than 150 days.
Useful evidence may include:
- An official leave approval letter from the DLI
- A letter showing the reason and start date of the leave
- The approved return date
- Enrolment records
- Official transcripts
- Medical documents when the leave is health-related
- Evidence of a family emergency
- An updated letter of acceptance following a deferral
- Proof that the school or program closed
- Documents showing when the student resumed studies
Keep copies of emails, online requests and school decisions. A clear record can be important during a future study permit extension, compliance review or PGWP application.
IRCC explains the types of evidence it may request in its study permit compliance guidance.
How Can a Leave Affect PGWP Eligibility?
A break from studies can matter when a graduate later applies for a post-graduation work permit.
The general PGWP rules normally require a student to have maintained full-time status during each semester of the program. Part-time study may be permitted during the final semester.
IRCC specifically warns that a student may not be eligible for a PGWP when:
- The student took an unauthorized leave
- IRCC finds that the leave caused the student to violate their study permit conditions
An authorized leave of up to 150 days may still satisfy the study permit conditions. When applying for a PGWP, the graduate should provide evidence that the DLI authorized the leave.
An authorized leave does not automatically guarantee a PGWP. The applicant must still satisfy all other requirements, including any applicable program, language, field-of-study and application deadline rules.
Review the current requirements on the official IRCC PGWP eligibility page.
What If the Leave Was Not Authorized?
An unauthorized absence can create serious problems.
IRCC may determine that the student was not actively pursuing their studies. Possible consequences include:
- Loss of student status or the study permit
- A request to leave Canada
- A possible six-month wait before applying for a new study permit, visitor visa or work permit from inside Canada
- Problems with a future PGWP application
- Negative effects on later immigration applications
- Consequences for unauthorized work completed during the absence
The facts of every situation are different. A student who has already taken an unauthorized leave should obtain case-specific advice instead of trying to change or hide school records.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Relying on verbal permission
A supportive conversation with a teacher or program coordinator may not be formal DLI approval. Ask for written confirmation from the office responsible for student records or international student matters.
Continuing to work
A study permit that normally authorizes work does not allow the student to work during an authorized leave.
Counting only school days
The 150-day limit is measured in calendar days, not just class days.
Confusing a personal leave with a school break
A personal leave and a regularly scheduled break have different work rules.
Returning without documentation
Keep proof of the date you resumed studies and your enrolment after the leave.
Assuming an approved leave guarantees a PGWP
The leave is only one part of PGWP eligibility. Other requirements must still be met.
A 101 Legal Ways Educational Example
After reading 101 Legal Ways guides, Karim realized that a scheduled summer break was different from a personal leave requested because of a family emergency.
Instead of continuing to work based only on the wording of his study permit, he contacted his DLI, requested a formal leave letter and confirmed the dates in writing. He stopped working when the leave began and kept the documents for his immigration records.
This is a fictional public education example. Karim is not a real client and the scenario does not promise any immigration result. It shows how understanding the rules early can help a student ask better questions and avoid preventable confusion.
101 Legal Ways provides practical public education to help newcomers understand Canadian immigration rules. It does not replace advice from an authorized immigration representative or lawyer who has reviewed the individual facts.
Four Actionable Takeaways
- Get written authorization before taking leave. Follow your DLI’s official process instead of relying on a verbal conversation.
- Track the 150-day limit carefully. Record the first day, expected return date and actual date you resume studies.
- Stop working during the leave. An authorized leave is not the same as a scheduled academic break.
- Protect your future PGWP application. Keep the leave approval, supporting evidence, transcripts and proof that you returned to your program.
Final Thoughts
Needing time away from school does not mean an international student has failed. Illness, pregnancy and family emergencies can happen to anyone. The safest approach is to communicate with the DLI early, obtain formal authorization and understand how the leave affects immigration and work conditions.
Rules can change and small factual differences can lead to different outcomes. Check the latest IRCC instructions before making a decision about your studies, employment or status in Canada.
Legal Disclaimer
This article provides general public legal and immigration information only. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client or consultant-client relationship. Immigration rules, school policies and individual circumstances may change. Consult IRCC, your designated learning institution or an authorized Canadian immigration professional for advice about your specific situation. Information was reviewed against official IRCC guidance available on July 31, 2026.
