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Took a year off from studying due to anxiety? Will I be able to extend my study permit?

rishabh1994

Member
Jul 22, 2014
11
0
So I came to Canada for studies of my Bachelors in 2014 with 4 year study permit. I was enrolled as a full time student the first two years, 2014 and 2015, and did work very hard to maintain average grades, even though I failed few courses. During the second semester of the my first year, the school stress, introverted personality, homesickness became the factors for my anxiety to exacerbate and too much to handle. This caused me to make regular trips to the doctors clinic which resulted me getting prescribe anti psychotic medication.

With the help of the medication, I was somehow able to manage my second year and achieved 70% gpa. But third year was turning point of my life when my grand mother expired and my parents were almost on the verge of getting divorced. This drastic change along with my pre-existing stress and anxiety made me took voluntary withdrawal from the fall semester of third year.

I then decided to take a gap year in my third year and got involved in a meditation program at a monastery here in Canada to deal with my anxiety problem. HOWEVER I DID NOT WORK OR GOT PAID FOR ANYTHING DURING THAT PERIOD.

After that program, I did return to school and re registered the winter 2018 semester, paid full fees and studied till end even though i did not get good grades BUT my anxiety is almost gone now. And Im pretty sure I will be able to finish my bachelors in 2 years. The only problem is my study permit expires in December 2018 and I have no idea that whether taking that gap year and staying in Canada has ruined my chances. I'm really concern they are going to refuse my application on 'Illegitimate student' grounds because I took a year off studying, still staying in Canada.

I come from a very educated and financially stable background. I have no reason to illegally work and immigrate. So please give some advice what should I do and what do you think are my chances of getting Study Permit renewed. I'd be much grateful.

Thanks
 

bongoman

VIP Member
Dec 3, 2014
4,174
812
Unfortunately your study permit most likely expired when you took the year off, once you stop being a student you no longer meet the conditions of your permit and it becomes invalid, you can not simply live in Canada on a study permit you must be a student, so most likely you have been living and studying without a permit all this time.

I suggest you consult a good immigration lawyer before you do anything, they will guide you on the best course of action.
 

rishabh1994

Member
Jul 22, 2014
11
0
Unfortunately your study permit most likely expired when you took the year off, once you stop being a student you no longer meet the conditions of your permit and it becomes invalid, you can not simply live in Canada on a study permit you must be a student, so most likely you have been living and studying without a permit all this time.

I suggest you consult a good immigration lawyer before you do anything, they will guide you on the best course of action.
Thanks for your reply,

I have a question. Recently I went to my home country, last month, and did not have any problem re entering Canada. The immigration officer asked the basic questions and thats it he allowed me in. So if my study permit was cancelled before that, then how was I able to re enter Canada?

And I also dont understand how was I able to enroll last semester (Winter 2018), if I have no status here in Canada?
 

PMM

VIP Member
Jun 30, 2005
25,494
1,950
Hi


Thanks for your reply,

I have a question. Recently I went to my home country, last month, and did not have any problem re entering Canada. The immigration officer asked the basic questions and thats it he allowed me in. So if my study permit was cancelled before that, then how was I able to re enter Canada?

And I also dont understand how was I able to enroll last semester (Winter 2018), if I have no status here in Canada?
1, Because your school didn't follow the rules and didn't report to IRCC that you were no longer studying.