About to take a semester off due to financial reasons. What will happen?

[bawss]

Hello Guys, I've lived here in Canada as a student for as long as I can remember, since 2005 as a student up till now. It was due to problems that occurred in my family that any status beyond this point was denied. I was able to enroll into a university this semester, and I've finished this semester and took a total of 4 courses. Now, due to financial struggle in our end which has always been present, my family and I have decided that it is best for me to take a semester off in my four year program. I recently received a study permit of 4 years, and it expires in the year 2020. I am wondering now the implications that would make on my study permit, and my status here in Canada. From what I know from friends and family, nothing will happen to me, and no one kill "boot" me out of Canada, because the 4 years was given. I am wondering if this is true. If there are chances that I can get kicked however, I am wondering if taking '1' course would be fine to keep my study permit valid? I did a lot of research, and there is no such requirement that I need to be a full time student, and being a part time student is perfectly fine. However, I seem to be in the dark, and can't seem to conclude 100% on this matter due to the guidelines on international students being a little hard to interpret. Thank you for your help guys, and one more thing, if anyone else, and I mean anyone, has had a similar experience or have been in similar circumstances, please, I would love to converse with you.

Thank you very much. Cheers!

 

[J5M]

Hi,

Hello Guys, I've lived here in Canada as a student for as long as I can remember, since 2005 as a student up till now. It was due to problems that occurred in my family that any status beyond this point was denied. I was able to enroll into a university this semester, and I've finished this semester and took a total of 4 courses. Now, due to financial struggle in our end which has always been present, my family and I have decided that it is best for me to take a semester off in my four year program. I recently received a study permit of 4 years, and it expires in the year 2020. I am wondering now the implications that would make on my study permit, and my status here in Canada. From what I know from friends and family, nothing will happen to me, and no one kill "boot" me out of Canada, because the 4 years was given. I am wondering if this is true. If there are chances that I can get kicked however, I am wondering if taking '1' course would be fine to keep my study permit valid? I did a lot of research, and there is no such requirement that I need to be a full time student, and being a part time student is perfectly fine. However, I seem to be in the dark, and can't seem to conclude 100% on this matter due to the guidelines on international students being a little hard to interpret. Thank you for your help guys, and one more thing, if anyone else, and I mean anyone, has had a similar experience or have been in similar circumstances, please, I would love to converse with you.

Thank you very much. Cheers!

1. You can take term off. You will see result when applying for a PGWP. After all you can't hide one term off from transcripts.
2. You can work off campus when you are a full time student. And, must remain enrolled as a full time student.
3. Even if you want, school won't let you take one course, after all they also love their license.

 

[Bs65]

My understanding if you moved to a part time course you lose the right to continue any work given that condition requires full time.

If you take time out you must ensure you have that tied down with the university to ensure they do not report you for non attendance resulting in your permit being cancelled. The fact that your current permit is 4 years means nothing if you do not keep your side of the agreement to be in full time education for the duration so ensure you have all bases covered else you could be 'booted' out.

You say you have been a student since 2005 so assume started as a minor but at some point your status will possibly get questioned being on study for so many years so assume you have a long term plan in place which could be affected by any failure to meet the terms of your study permit, PGWP as an example. Plus remember that you need to keep CIC informed if you change institution at any time.

 

[bawss]

Thank you both for your replies. I have one concern however, I am wondering who I would talk to on matters such as these? Wouldn't it be 'illegal' for them not to report my status of studies? What would happen if I were not to inform the school? Would the government actually send me out of here? Thank you.

 

[Papa Bomboy]

Hello Bawss,

You can start by speaking to the international students center in your school.

Don't quite understand your question #2.

If you were to inform the school of your circumstance, they would only follow the laid down rules set by cic concerning foriegn students which is to monitor attendance. Not sure if there is much they can do for you as it is a private matter.

I am yet to see any one removed due to in-attendance, but in the future if you try to renew or apply for any permit, you could be rejected if they review your time off from school. This is as good as removal as you could be left without status in Canada.

Don't risk it man, Canada is a great place to be. Make sure you explore as many options as you can get financially first.

By the way, I took the quote below directly from CIC website.

if you hold a study permit, you must remain enrolled and make reasonable and timely progress towards completing your program; and
failing to do so could lead to your removal from Canada.
Your educational institution will report to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) on your continued enrolment and academic status. You may also be asked by an immigration officer to provide evidence of your continued enrolment and academic status.

Thank you both for your replies. I have one concern however,

1 - I am wondering who I would talk to on matters such as these?

2 - Wouldn't it be 'illegal' for them not to report my status of studies?

3 - What would happen if I were not to inform the school?

4 - Would the government actually send me out of here? Thank you.

 

[scylla]

I did a lot of research, and there is no such requirement that I need to be a full time student, and being a part time student is perfectly fine.

Dropping down to part time status impacts your ability to work off campus as well as your ability to obtain a PGWP later:

Work off campus
To qualify, you must:

-have a valid study permit
-be a full-time student

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus.asp

Determine your eligibility — Work after graduation
To obtain a work permit after your graduation, you must meet the following requirements:

- You must have continuously studied full time in Canada and you must have completed a program of study that lasted at least eight months.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad-who.asp

 

[bawss]

Hi,



1. You can take term off. You will see result when applying for a PGWP. After all you can't hide one term off from transcripts.
2. You can work off campus when you are a full time student. And, must remain enrolled as a full time student.
3. Even if you want, school won't let you take one course, after all they also love their license.

Could you elaborate a bit further on number 3? I have never heard of a school not allowing a student to take just one course... Is that really not an option here?

Dropping down to part time status impacts your ability to work off campus as well as your ability to obtain a PGWP later:

Work off campus
To qualify, you must:

-have a valid study permit
-be a full-time student



Determine your eligibility — Work after graduation
To obtain a work permit after your graduation, you must meet the following requirements:

- You must have continuously studied full time in Canada and you must have completed a program of study that lasted at least eight months.

What if I were to be a part time student for the time being for 1 semester? Would that still impact as harshly on the chances of getting a PGWP? Thanks.

Hello Bawss,

You can start by speaking to the international students center in your school.

Don't quite understand your question #2.

If you were to inform the school of your circumstance, they would only follow the laid down rules set by cic concerning foriegn students which is to monitor attendance. Not sure if there is much they can do for you as it is a private matter.

I am yet to see any one removed due to in-attendance, but in the future if you try to renew or apply for any permit, you could be rejected if they review your time off from school. This is as good as removal as you could be left without status in Canada.

Don't risk it man, Canada is a great place to be. Make sure you explore as many options as you can get financially first.

By the way, I took the quote below directly from CIC website.

Would taking a few courses be okay? So basically remain as a part time student. Also, if I were to be denied a PGWP, what other ways are there for someone like me to obtain PR? Thank you so much.

 

[Papa Bomboy]

The school won't stop your from taking whatsoever courses you decide to take but the immigration implications supersedes whatsoever actions the school may take. Your study permit could be voided and a removal order issued.

What if I were to be a part time student for the time being for 1 semester? Would that still impact as harshly on the chances of getting a PGWP? Thanks.
Would taking a few courses be okay? So basically remain as a part time student. Also, if I were to be denied a PGWP, what other ways are there for someone like me to obtain PR? Thank you so much.

 

[scylla]

What if I were to be a part time student for the time being for 1 semester? Would that still impact as harshly on the chances of getting a PGWP? Thanks.

If you are a part time student for one semester, then technically you don't meet the requirements for the PGWP. The PGWP requirements specifically state that you must be a full time student continuously (continuously means without a break). It will be up to the visa officer if you're approved or refused. And yes - we've seen refusals of PGWPs here for students who have gone part time for part of their studies. So you'll definitely be putting your PGWP at risk.

If you're refused a PGWP, then to work in Canada after you graduate, you'll need a full time job offer from an employer and that employer will need to obtain an approved LMIA so that you can apply for a closed work permit. It's typically very difficult to find employers willing to go through the LMIA process. However some manage to do it.

Obviously it's significantly more difficult to secure PR without a PGWP and the ability to easily work in Canada after you graduate.

 

[varunnarayan]

On the other hand , You can work part time during the summer and take course simultaneously. Summer isn't considered an academic term.

 

[J5M]

Hi,

On the other hand , You can work part time during the summer and take course simultaneously. Summer isn't considered an academic term.

Summer is an academic period for many programs including co-op (credit based), it depend on a program structure. International students can be part time only in the last term when not enough courses left to complete.

 

[varunnarayan]

Im currently doing a 6 year Engineering degree with co-op and my university website says that summer is a break term for all programs. It is only considered an academic term for PhD program.

 

[abhilashakagra]

Hello
I am an international student. I was enrolled in biotechnology advanced Fastrack in Centennial college may 2017 intake but I found it difficult so I changed my course to International business management but now I am also having lots of difficulty in learning business because I am not from business background my background is bioinformatics and my peers they have MBA degrees and lot of work experience. I don't even have any work experience and due to all these reasons I am not able to perform well in the class. I am very depressed I want to change this program and college I asked St Lawrence college they suggested me to do one semester from Centennial and bring the transcript then apply for the offer letter for January intake 2018 and drop one semester after giving exam in Centennial college because they need my transcript to give me admission
I am very confused what to do
One more problem I am not very financially strong I have to do the job here to pay my fee for the next semester but this Centennial college is not allowing me to do the job it's very hectic here I have 5 days classes in a week I am very confused about my situation
Please tell me if I do one semester from Centennial and then drop the another semester and take admission to St Lawrence (Alpha international academy) in January intake 2018 in health care management program then is it going to create any problem for me in future for applying my work permit and PR?
Help me i need your genuine advise