Changing status from student to visitor

[low_barracuda]

Hi all,

I'm an international student and I recently had a case where I failed a course which can only be retaken during winter of next year. Since I cannot be part-time, I wanted to take authorized leave for the Fall as I cannot afford to take any more courses than necessary, however the international student centre told me that I may not be eligible for an authorized leave.

I want to know if it's possible to change my status to visitor only for Fall in this case. My study permit expires 2025 July, so there's no worries about getting it extended.

Thank you

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi all,

I'm an international student and I recently had a case where I failed a course which can only be retaken during winter of next year. Since I cannot be part-time, I wanted to take authorized leave for the Fall as I cannot afford to take any more courses than necessary, however the international student centre told me that I may not be eligible for an authorized leave.

I want to know if it's possible to change my status to visitor only for Fall in this case. My study permit expires 2025 July, so there's no worries about getting it extended.

Thank you

How long between courses if you take a leave? Are you taking courses for the summer session.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio.../while-you-study/study-permit-conditions.html

 

[low_barracuda]

How long between courses if you take a leave? Are you taking courses for the summer session.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio.../while-you-study/study-permit-conditions.html

No I am not taking summer courses since this was my supposedly my last semester. Advising said that summer courses don't count since it's not a regular semester, but almost 8 months. And like I mentioned in my post, I am most likely not eligible for a leave according to my college, so in the case that I will not get a leave, is it possible to switch to visitors from Aug - Dec?

 

[Naturgrl]

No I am not taking summer courses since this was my supposedly my last semester. Advising said that summer courses don't count since it's not a regular semester, but almost 8 months. And like I mentioned in my post, I am most likely not eligible for a leave according to my college, so in the case that I will not get a leave, is it possible to switch to visitors from Aug - Dec?

What about May-August? You cannot take more than 150 days authorized leave. If on unauthorized leave then school can cancel your permit. If you change status to visitor, you may not be able to restore it back to student.

 

[low_barracuda]

What about May-August? You cannot take more than 150 days authorized leave. If on unauthorized leave then school can cancel your permit. If you change status to visitor, you may not be able to restore it back to student.

I have no courses to take in the summer as my last sem was supposedly my final semester. According to the college, taking authorized leave is not an option at this moment so I am asking if I can change my status from student to visitor for the months of Aug-December, granted that my study permit is valid till July 2025. Is that possible?

 

[Naturgrl]

I have no courses to take in the summer as my last sem was supposedly my final semester. According to the college, taking authorized leave is not an option at this moment so I am asking if I can change my status from student to visitor for the months of Aug-December, granted that my study permit is valid till July 2025. Is that possible?

So read the link. You would not be following the conditions to be a student so study permit should be cancelled if you don’t resume studies within 150 days and are on unauthorized leave. Ask an immigration lawyer because you could change status to visitor but would not be able to restore status to student to return to school.

 

[canuck78]

I have no courses to take in the summer as my last sem was supposedly my final semester. According to the college, taking authorized leave is not an option at this moment so I am asking if I can change my status from student to visitor for the months of Aug-December, granted that my study permit is valid till July 2025. Is that possible?

Changing your status to visitor would overide your study permit. You’d need to reapply for another study permit.

 

[damitdada]

Changing your status to visitor would overide your study permit. You’d need to reapply for another study permit.

Can you do it ftom within Canada?

 

[canuck78]

Can you do it ftom within Canada?

No you can’t apply for a new study permit from within Canada. It also sounds as though you may not be able to work during the summer or fall because you aren’t studying full-time and aren’t on a scheduled break or authorized leave during summer and fall. You need to calculate the length of break to see if it will be over 150 days. Would suggest speaking to an immigration lawyer to discuss strategies to maximize your chances of qualifying for PGWP. You also need to discuss your options because it sounds as though you may not qualify to work until next winter. I would also speak to your school. I do think they may able to flag your file as still being registered as a student but waiting for a course to be offered in the winter. In that case they may not report you to IRCC because you remain a registered student. I would also suggest registering for the class in the winter semester and pay the tuition if possible. I would also discuss with your lawyer if you should notify IRCC that you are still a student but must wait for the only class you need to graduate to be offered during the Winter 2025 semester. You are able to be a part-time student but only during the last semester of your program. This may allow you to keep your study permit active even though it sounds like you may be out of school for 150 days.