Canada Authorized Study Leave Guide for Nepali Students 2027

IRCC requires study-permit holders to remain enrolled at a designated learning institution and actively pursue their studies unless an exemption applies. The conditions page recognises limited situations in which a leave of up to 150 days can still be treated as actively pursuing studies. The student does not create an authorized leave merely by emailing a lecturer or missing classes.

IRCC lists school-authorized leave for medical reasons or pregnancy, a family emergency, death or serious illness of a family member and other leave formally authorised by the DLI. School closure, a strike, an approved change of school and an approved deferral can also enter the analysis, but the detailed treatment and work rights may differ.

Get a formal letter from the registrar or international office stating the reason category, start date, expected return date, program and confirmation that the leave is authorised under the institution’s policy. If the school uses an online status record, download it as well. Keep all requests and approvals rather than relying on a verbal conversation.

IRCC states that a student cannot work on or off campus during an authorized leave even when the study permit normally permits work. The reason is that the ordinary work exemption depends on meeting the student and active-study conditions. Tell the employer promptly and preserve the last schedule and payslip showing when work stopped.

A specific exception is described when a school is temporarily closed because of a strike: a student otherwise authorised to work may remain authorised for up to 150 days. Do not apply that exception to a personal medical or family leave. Match the exact official category and seek authorised advice if the closure or return date is unclear.

Remote work, self-employment and unpaid activity may still count as work under immigration definitions. Do not assume that payment outside Canada or work for a family business is automatically excluded. Keep the leave period free of work unless an official rule clearly confirms authorization for the exact activity.

DLIs report student compliance through the IRCC portal and can identify authorized leave, deferred enrolment, suspension or non-enrolment. IRCC may also ask a student directly for enrolment status, leave dates, withdrawal information, transcripts or medical evidence. A complete contemporaneous file is stronger than reconstructing events years later.

For a PGWP application, IRCC says an unauthorized leave can affect eligibility. A qualifying authorized leave of up to 150 days may still meet study-permit conditions, but the graduate needs proof that the DLI authorised it. Include the appropriate leave letter and explanation with the PGWP documents when the checklist or circumstances require it.

Full-time status in other semesters remains relevant to PGWP eligibility. A leave approval does not repair unrelated part-time study or unauthorized work. Request a complete transcript and enrolment history before graduation and resolve factual errors with the DLI while records and staff contacts are available.

Count consecutive calendar days from the leave start date and set reminders well before the maximum. The DLI may require an earlier return under its academic calendar. For a deferral, IRCC says the student must begin in the next semester even when it starts sooner than 150 days and should obtain an updated LOA.

If recovery or circumstances prevent a timely return, contact the DLI and obtain authorised immigration advice before the limit expires. A school extension of its own leave policy does not necessarily preserve study-permit compliance. IRCC indicates that a student exceeding the permitted leave may need to change status or risk non-compliance.

On return, register for the proper course load, obtain a resumption letter and confirm when work eligibility begins again. Do not restart work only because 150 days have not passed; the student should actually meet the enrolment and work conditions. Keep the new timetable and fee receipt.

When a policy changes, compare the new instruction with the student’s application date, credential, institution, campus and personal status before deciding what applies. Do not silently replace an old document or reinterpret a rule from a headline. If the effect is uncertain, pause payment or submission and obtain clarification from the responsible authority or a properly authorised professional.

This evidence trail also improves counselling quality. The student and family can see which facts are confirmed, which are estimates and which remain conditional. MKS Education uses this approach to support transparent education planning while leaving admission and immigration decisions with the relevant institutions and Canadian authorities.