International Students in Canada:Compliance
International Students in Canada:Compliance
International students in Canada have lots of interesting educational opportunities, but also have to comply with many rules. The main requirement, among others, is to pursue the study program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). It means that the study permit holder has to remain enrolled at the school, study diligently, make significant progress in the chosen study program and maintain the immigration status. Compliance with these rules will help you to enjoy your life and studies in Canada.
Although international students are required to pursue their studies in Canada and need to have a full-time credit load at their learning institution, sometimes a part-time credit load is also allowed (if it happens occasionally). You have to remember that different Canadian institutions may define full-time studies in different ways. But as a rule, a full-time study program means a minimum of three courses or nine credits per semester.
If you want to learn more about the full-time credit load in your Designated Learning Institution in Canada, please visit the official website of this school, college or university. As a rule, you can find all information you need online. Additionally, the administration of your educational institution can provide you with materials about the admission and study processes, life in Canada and other important aspects.
It is worth mentioning, that all Canadian Designated Learning Institutions are required by law from time to time to report on the enrolment status of each international student to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you want to find more information about this requirement, please visit the official page of the IRCC.
Many of the international students in Canada also want to work during their studies. If you plan to start working in Canada as an international student, remember to check whether you are allowed to do so on your study permit and do not forget to maintain full-time status at school (as this is an obligatory requirement).
Now it is time to discuss the conditions, which Canadian immigration officers can impose on your study permit. They solely depend on the details of your application. There are eight of the most common conditions for international students in Canada.
- An immigration officer can indicate what type of studies or courses you can take in the Designated Learning Institutions.
- An immigration officer can specify the location of your study in Canada.
- An immigration officer can indicate what educational institution you have the right to attend.
- An immigration officer can specify the time and period of your study in Canada.
- An immigration officer can indicate that you have to report for medical observation or examination at a certain place and time.
- An immigration officer can specify that you are prohibited from working in Canada on a study permit.
- An immigration officer can indicate that you have to report for the presentation of evidence of compliance with conditions of a study permit at a specific time and place.
- An immigration officer can specify the duration of your stay in the country.
Your study permit can include one or more of these conditions, and you have to comply with them during your studies in Canada. Remember that your disregard of these requirements can have serious consequences. Please visit the official web page of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada if you want to find out more about these consequences.
Sometimes international students need to renew their study permits while in Canada. If you wish to continue your study in the country, you have to submit an application for renewing your study permit before the expiry date of your current permit. It is worth mentioning, that the Designated Learning Institutions recommend applying for renewal of the study permit no less than three months before the expiration of your old permit. In this case, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will have enough time to process your application and issue a new study permit.
Sometimes international students need to extend their study permits. If you submit an application for the extension of your study permit, you have to comply with the conditions of your original study permit and stay in Canada during the processing time. Also, you have to keep in mind that if you drop out of school or begin to work, you do not have the right to apply for the renewal of your study permit.
It is also important to consider the situation when you have an expired study permit. International students in Canada have to know that they are considered out-of-status when they have an invalid study permit and have not applied for its extension. Moreover, international students immediately have to stop studying and working since they do not have legal status in the country.
The first thing you have to do in this situation is to apply for a restoration of the status. You need to remember that you have 90 days from the expiry day of your study permit to submit an application for your status restoration. Additionally, you can apply for the restoration only when you stay in Canada, and you have to remain in the country until a decision is made on your application. The process of the status restoration can take several months, and there is guarantee that your application for a new study permit will be approved. That is why it is better to submit an application for the extension of your study permit before its expiry date.
Of course, you cannot foresee the loss of your study permit, but this situation happens with many international students in Canada. Please, do not worry, as this is not a big problem. The main thing you have to do is to launch the application “Verification of status or replacement of an immigration document” and submit the form for a replacement of your lost study permit. In this situation, you can continue studying in Canada, but you cannot leave the country until you get a copy of your study permit. Often international students in Canada can wonder whether they have a right to take one semester off. You have to know that if you wish to take a semester break, it can influence the status of your study permit and your ability to work in the country. Hence, you have to ask for a consultation with the international student advisor before making this decision. The advisor can check whether you can take time away from your studies and how it can affect your studies and work in Canada. Additionally, you need to remember that students have regular and scheduled breaks. Summer and winter holidays, reading weeks, and the transition period between graduation from the Designated Learning Institution and receiving a post-graduation work permit are considered regular or scheduled breaks.
It is also important to highlight that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada states that international students in Canada can take a consecutive four-month break only once a year. Additionally, students must have had a full-time credit load before a scheduled break and take a full-time credit load after it.
To sum up, it is not a hard task to comply with all the requirements and conditions of the Canadian study permit. Moreover, international students in Canada have to understand that some restrictions are implied to ensure their safety in the country. That is why they have to carefully examine the conditions of their study permits before they arrive in the country. If it is necessary, you can always consult with the international student advisor at your school or college. They will explain all the conditions and answer all of your questions concerning life and studies in Canada. Remember that your compliance with the conditions of your study permit ensures your legal status and easy study process in Canada.
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