An authorized leave is a temporary interruption of studies that has been formally approved by the University. It allows international students to pause their studies while remaining compliant with both university and immigration requirements.

Not all interruptions to studies qualify as an authorized leave. If you are considering taking a break from your studies, you should obtain approval from uOttawa before interrupting your program.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements for study interruptions

As a study permit holder, you are expected to remain enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI), actively pursue your studies, and comply with the conditions of your study permit. Taking a leave will affect your immigration status in Canada, your eligibility to work on and off campus and your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

In certain situations, IRCC may consider a student to be actively pursuing their studies during a temporary interruption, provided that the leave is authorized by the University and does not exceed 150 days. If requested by IRCC, you must be able to provide documentation confirming that your leave was authorized and that it met the applicable requirements.

Important: Students on an authorized leave from their study program are not permitted to work on or off campus during their leave period, even if their study permit includes work authorization. 

Who is eligible for an authorized leave?

You may be eligible for an authorized leave if you are unable to continue your studies temporarily due to exceptional circumstances.

Examples of acceptable reasons might include:

• Medical reasons or pregnancy
• Family emergency
• Death or serious illness of a family member
• Mandatory military service
• Parental leave
• Other exceptional circumstances

Who is not eligible for an authorized leave?

Examples of non-acceptable reasons for a leave might include:

• Personal travel
• Academic difficulties that do not meet leave criteria
• Situations that do not fall within approved grounds

Before submitting a request:

• Contact the Student Immigration Advising Team to discuss your individual situation and to learn how a leave of absence may affect your immigration status. This step is essential and should be completed before you apply. You can get in touch with an immigration advisor via the InfoService virtual line.
• Set up a meeting with your Faculty to confirm that you meet all academic requirements and regulations related to your leave request.
• Consider how your leave might affect:
  • Your study permit compliance.
  • Your work authorization.
  • Your expected program completion date.

Undergraduate and graduate students follow different processes when requesting an authorized leave of absence. Please refer to the section below that corresponds to your level of study to ensure you follow the appropriate procedure and submit the required documentation.

Undergraduate students

Undergraduate students may request an authorized leave for one academic term at a time. If you require a leave for more than one term, you must submit a new request for each additional term.

Fill out the Leave of Absence Request Form for International Undergraduate Students and provide all required information, including:

• Full name
• Student number
• uOttawa email address
• Proposed leave dates
• Reason for the interruption of studies

Requests should be submitted before the deadline to withdraw from a course or an activity and receive a financial credit for the term in which you intend to begin your leave. 

Any request submitted after this deadline will be considered an exceptional request and will be subject to a separate review.

Your request will be reviewed by the Student Immigration Advising Team. Additional information may be requested if needed. You should receive a decision through your uOttawa email address within five working days.

Graduate students

Graduate students should first review the University's Policy C-3: Graduate Enrolment and Leaves of Absence, which outlines the general requirements and conditions governing graduate students' leave of absence.

Students wishing to request a leave of absence must complete the appropriate form available through the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website or through their academic unit. As part of the process, the request is reviewed by the student's supervisor and then by the academic unit before a final decision is made.

While on an authorized leave, you remain responsible for:

• Maintaining valid immigration documents.
• Keeping all documents that explain the reason for your leave and the confirmation that your leave was officially authorized. If you later apply for a study permit extension or a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you may need to provide this documentation to explain your period of leave.
• Respecting all conditions associated with your leave, including not working on or off campus.
• Maintaining your UHIP coverage, where applicable.
• Keeping your contact information up to date.
• Returning to studies within the approved timeframe.

Working while on an authorized leave from studies

If you are on a leave of absence, you will no longer be able to work on or off campus. It is important that you stop working immediately upon starting your leave and that you do not return to employment until your leave has ended.

Undergraduate students

You are expected to resume your studies in the term immediately following your authorized leave. 

If you are unable to return as planned, you must meet with an immigration adviser to discuss the potential impact on your immigration status and determine whether you may be eligible to request an additional leave of absence. 

Graduate students

You must return to your studies in accordance with the terms and duration of the leave approved by your Faculty. If your circumstances change or if you require additional time away from your studies, consult your Faculty’s graduate studies office and follow the recommendations and procedures established by your faculty.

Do you have questions about how an authorized leave may affect your immigration status, study permit conditions, or future immigration plans? Our student immigration advisors are available to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

• Join the InfoService virtual line to speak one-on-one with an immigration advisor.
• Explore immigration resources and guidance available to uOttawa international students.