When a Study Break Becomes a Problem in Canada

Sep 24, 2025 / 2 min readspscanada

What Is the Difference Between Taking a Leave From Studies and a Study Permit Becoming Invalid in Canada?

Many international students mix up taking an authorized leave and having a study permit become invalid. Both situations involve not attending classes, but the rules and consequences are completely different.

1. Taking a Leave From Studies

Sometimes students need to pause their studies because of personal, medical, or academic reasons. This is called a leave from studies.

  • Your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) must approve the leave in writing.
  • The leave cannot exceed 150 days from the day it begins.
  • If you return to your classes within 150 days, you stay compliant with immigration rules and your study permit continues to remain valid.

Example:
You take a three-month leave for a medical issue. If your DLI approves it and you resume studies before the 150-day period ends, you remain compliant.

Important:
If you cannot return to studies within 150 days, you must:

  • change your status in Canada (for example, to visitor or worker), or
  • leave Canada.

If you ignore these steps, you break your study permit conditions, and this can affect your future immigration applications.

Study Permit Becoming Invalid

A study permit becomes invalid under Canadian law (IRPR R222(1)) when certain events occur. This is not the same as taking a leave.

Your study permit becomes invalid when:

  • 90 days pass after you complete your program
  • You stop being enrolled at your DLI for a reason other than completing the program
  • IRCC cancels your study permit
  • Your study permit expires

Example:
If you stop attending classes and your school removes you from enrollment, your study permit becomes invalid immediately—even if the permit’s printed expiry date is months away.

Important:
If you keep studying after your permit becomes invalid, you engage in unauthorized study, which can create serious immigration problems.

Key Difference

  • Leave From Studies:
    A temporary, DLI-approved break of up to 150 days. You continue to meet your study permit conditions as long as you return to studies on time.
  • Study Permit Invalidity:
    A legal status issue. Once invalid, you cannot continue studying unless you restore your status or apply for a new study permit.

What Students Should Always Do

  • Get written approval before taking a leave.
  • Track the 150-day deadline and return to studies before it ends.
  • Watch your study permit’s expiry date and extend early.
  • Stop studying immediately if your permit becomes invalid and restore your status properly.

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive professional advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).

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