If you are a returning international student and you wish to book an appointment with an International Student Advisor regarding immigration matters, etc. please use our appointment booking link to book a virtual meeting or face-to-face meeting.

Most Up-to-Date Information

For the most up-to-date information about Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), please refer to the IRCC website at: canada.ca/immigration or call them at 1-888-242-2100. It is the international student’s responsibility to know the rules and regulations that apply. See the conditions of a study permit holder here.

International students inside Canada must remain compliant with study permit conditions by actively pursuing studies and making progress towards the completion of their program of study.

There are a few cases where Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allows students to take a break in studies up to a maximum of 150 days from the program of study and still be considered actively pursuing studies.

Knowing what kind of break you have is important is you want to remain compliant with Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rules and eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

There are different types of breaks:

  • Scheduled Breaks: Breaks that are part of your program schedule/academic calendar;
    or
  • Unscheduled Breaks: Unscheduled breaks are not part of the academic calendar or program progression. It is a break a student is choosing to take or might have to take for personal reasons. There are two types of leave from studies:
      • Authorized Leave: An unscheduled break that is approved by the College;
        or
      • Unauthorized Leave: An unscheduled break that is not approved by the College.

Scheduled Breaks in Academic Programs

Scheduled breaks are firm, mandatory breaks that are part of the program’s progression. Not all programs include a scheduled break. Confirm whether your program includes a scheduled break on the program’s website (under the ‘Availability and Schedule’ section) or by confirming with the Program Coordinator.

A break that a student chooses to take is not considered to be a scheduled break. Each regularly scheduled break should not be longer than 150 days. The maximum cumulative duration of scheduled breaks is 180 days per calendar year.

Working During A Scheduled Break

You may work full-time hours during scheduled breaks (which include Reading Weeks and the time in-between two consecutive terms) if you are a full-time student before and after the break, and meet all  eligibility requirements.

Review Algonquin’s Academic Calendar for break dates in each term.

Studying Part-time or Full-time During a Scheduled Break.

You may be eligible to study part-time or full-time during a scheduled break. If you study part-time during a scheduled break, include your own explanation letter and proof of your scheduled break (for example, a screenshot of your program website or email from Program Coordinator) when applying for a future Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) so that it is clear to IRCC that you studied during a scheduled break. You must be a full-time student both before and after the scheduled break.

Off-campus work eligibility and scheduled breaks information is found here.

Authorized Leave

A break that is not scheduled but is approved by the College is considered to be Authorized Leave. Confirmation that your leave is authorized by your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is required by IRCC. Students may choose to remain inside Canada or return home during Authorized Leave. Authorized leave is supported by IRCC for a number of different reasons, for up to 150 days*, including:

  • Medical reasons
  • Pregnancy or Parental Leave
  • Death or serious illness of an immediate family member
  • Other family emergency
  • Mandatory military service in the home country
  • Academic progression issues beyond a student’s control.

*IMPORTANT: If a leave exceeds 150 days, you will no longer meet PGWP eligibility and you will no longer meet study permit conditions. Please review the section on ‘Unauthorized Leave’ below.

Proving Your Leave is Authorized

Proof that your leave is authorized must be included with your PGWP application. We recommend that students include their own reasons and supporting documentation to explain why they took this leave in a letter of explanation.

As of January 2026, Algonquin College has developed an Authorized Leave Letter to support students in evidencing authorized leaves. Students may request an Authorized Leave Letter to include with a future PGWP application by completing the steps found at this website: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro/start

IMPORTANT: Algonquin College will only issue one period of Authorized Leave for the duration of a student’s studies at the College.

Working During an Authorized Leave

During an Authorized Leave, international students are not eligible to work using their study permit or work permit that names Algonquin College.

Unauthorized Leave

An unauthorized leave is any unscheduled break for which the student has not been approved for an Authorized Leave OR is an Authorized Leave that has exceeded 150 days. An unauthorized leave can negatively affect your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and future immigration applications in Canada.  

Remaining Compliant During Unauthorized Leave 

According to IRCC, if a student’s leave is not authorized or exceeds 150 days, the student should do either of the following: 

If a student wishes to resume studies after an unauthorized leave, they must contact an International Student Advisor, as they may be required to apply for a new study permit 

If they do not change their status or leave Canada, they may be considered non-compliant with their study permit conditions.  

Non-compliance with study permit conditions or the act of working without authorization may result in enforcement action. It may also negatively affect future applications made under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the IRPR.   

See more about the eligibility requirements for the PGWP. Be sure to let your academic department know that you are planning to take a break. Your program coordinator will need to approve your return to your program. Keep any email correspondence about the approved leave from your academic department – if needed in the future. 

Learn more about authorized leave here and leave from studies information here. 

Working During An Unauthorized Leave 

During an unauthorized leave, international students are not eligible to work using their study permit or work permit that names Algonquin College. 

Starting A New Program After Completion of Studies

If you’re starting a new study program after graduating from another program, you may work full-time if you meet all of these requirements:

  • You were already able to work off-campus during your previous studies
  • You have a valid study permit or you applied to extend your study permit before it expired
  • You received graduated status from your current program (found on ACSIS under “Print Letter”
  • You have received a Letter of Acceptance to a new full-time study program at Algonquin College
  • You will start your new program within 150 calendar days of receiving graduated status

If the new program of study starts more than 150 calendar days after the first date they receive written confirmation of program completion from their current institution, the student is eligible to work off campus only during the first 150 consecutive days after the first date they receive written confirmation of program completion.

For more information about breaks between two programs of study, please visit this IRCC website.

International Education Centre (IEC)

The IEC is located in room C021. Our on-campus services are by appointment only. Current international students can use our appointment booking link to book a virtual meeting or face-to-face meeting with an International Student Advisor. You may also wish to visit our events calendar to register for upcoming immigration workshops and more.

Work Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 pm (excluding holidays – unless otherwise specified)