Maintaining Your Student Status and Scheduled Breaks

There are several conditions associated with your study permit that you must meet, including being enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) and demonstrating you are actively pursuing your studies by:

• being enrolled full-time or part-time during each academic semester, excluding regularly scheduled breaks
• making progress toward completing your program's courses and
• not taking authorized leaves longer than 150 days from your study program.

Please note that part-time studies have implications for working and post-grad work permit eligibility.

As an international student, it is your responsibility to know when your status will expire and ensure that you take the necessary steps to extend your status if required.

Scheduled breaks

A scheduled break is a break in your program that is part of SAIT’s academic calendar. During a scheduled semester break, you can choose to take no courses, a part-time course load of less than nine credits, or a full-time course load of nine credits or more. Taking a part-time course load or no course load during a scheduled break does not impact your immigration status as a student, work authorization or Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.

SAIT programs have start dates in Fall, Winter and Spring terms. Our regular academic sessions are:

• Fall term: September – December
• Winter term: January – April
• Spring/Summer term: May – August

The scheduled break period varies based on which term the program starts. Most SAIT programs* follow the below scheduled break structure:

Table 1: Standard scheduled break pattern for most* SAIT programs (exceptions listed in Table 2 below).

Program start	Scheduled break period
Fall term	Spring/Summer term (May to August)
Winter term	Fall term (September to December)
Spring term	Winter term (January to April)

Note: One year certificate programs do not have a scheduled break.

*SAIT programs that deviate from the scheduled break structure above are:

Table 2: Modified scheduled break periods for programs that deviate from the regular scheduled break schedule.

Program	Modified break schedule
Advanced Care Paramedic	Fall program start: July and August in year 1 Winter program start: No break
Architectural Technologies	Winter program start: No break
Bachelor of Applied Technology in Petroleum Engineering	Spring term (May through August), irrespective of start term
Bachelor of Science in Construction Project Management (applicable to students starting prior to January 2027) Students who start as of January 2027 will follow the scheduled break pattern listed in Table 1 above.	Fall program start: Spring term (May through August) Winter program start: Fall term (September through December)
Civil Engineering Technology	Winter program start: No break
Dental Hygiene	July and August in year 1
Diagnostic Medical Sonography	July and August in year 1
Fitness and Wellness Management	July and August in year 1
Health Information Management	July and August in year 1
Machining Technology	Winter program start: No break
Mechanical Engineering Technology	Winter program start: No break
Medical Laboratory Technology	No break
Medical Radiologic Technology	July and August in year 1
Nuclear Medicine Technology	July and August in year 1
Optician	May to August in year 1 Winter program start: No break
Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant	July and August in year 1
Respiratory Therapy	Spring term (May through August) in year 1

Please note: The IT Services Program, Interactive Design Diploma, Software Development Diploma, and Cyber Security (formerly ISS), will be delivered in an accelerated format with no scheduled breaks, effective Winter 2027. 

Scheduled break confirmation letter

If you require a letter confirming your scheduled break period for the purpose of employment or an immigration application, please download the SAIT Definition for immigration purposes letter.

If this standard letter does not meet your needs, please connect with an international student advisor to submit a request for a customized scheduled break letter. A $25 CAD fee is required for a customized letter.

Learn more about working during a scheduled break.

Leave of Absence, Academic Withdrawal, and Academic Suspension 

Leave of Absence for international students 

As an international student, you may request a Leave of Absence (LOA) if you experience circumstances that require you to be away from your studies for an extended period. To request a leave of absence from SAIT, you must submit a request through the appropriate SAIT Leave of Absence form. 

Immigration considerations: 

For immigration purposes, an approved leave of absence of 150 days or less is generally considered an authorized leave by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). During this period, you are considered to be actively pursuing your studies for the purposes of meeting your study permit conditions. 

If your leave of absence will exceed 150 days, you must take action to avoid non-compliance with your study permit conditions. 

If your leave of absence will be longer than 150 days, you must complete one of the following actions before the 150-day period ends: 

• Apply for a visitor record to remain in Canada as a visitor. 
• Leave Canada. 
• Change your status by obtaining authorization under another eligible temporary resident category, such as a work permit for which you qualify. 

Before taking a Leave of Absence 

Prior to requesting a leave of absence, we strongly recommend that you: 

• Consult an International Student Advisor to discuss the potential immigration implications of taking a leave from your studies. 
• Consult an Academic Advisor to discuss your academic plan and requirements for returning to your program following your leave. 

Working during a Leave of Absence

You are not authorized to work, either on-campus or off-campus, during an approved leave of absence. 

Maintain valid immigration status 

It is important to ensure that your maintain valid immigration status throughout your leave of absence if you plan to stay inside Canada during this time.  

If your study permit expires during your leave, you will be required to apply for a new study permit before resuming your studies. Depending on IRCC processing times and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirements, obtaining a new study permit may take several months. This could affect your ability to return to your program as planned and may delay your program completion date. 

Leave of Absence Confirmation Letter 

We strongly recommend that you obtain a Leave of Absence Confirmation Letter from SAIT and retain it for your records. This document may be useful when applying for future immigration documents or responding to requests from IRCC regarding your studies. 

To request a Leave of Absence Confirmation Letter, please connect with an International Student Advisor and retain the letter for inclusion in any future immigration applications, such as Study Permit extension or Post Graduation Work Permit application.  

Taking time away from your studies due to an Academic Withdrawal or Academic Suspension 

If you have been academically withdrawn or suspended from enrolling in SAIT credit courses for a period exceeding 150 days (i.e. more than 1 term), you must take action to maintain compliance with your study permit conditions. 

Before the 150-day period ends, you must complete one of the following actions: 

• Apply for a visitor record to remain in Canada as a visitor. 
• Leave Canada. 
• Change your immigration status by obtaining authorization under another eligible temporary resident category, such as a work permit for which you qualify. 

Failure to take one of the actions listed above may result in you being considered non-compliant with your study permit conditions. 

Important 

Non-compliance with study permit conditions may result in serious consequences, including: 

• Enforcement action, including the issuance of an exclusion order for non-compliance under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). 
• Negative impacts on future immigration applications submitted under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and IRPR.  
• Delays or refusals of future immigration applications. For example, a subsequent study permit or work permit application may be refused until at least six months have passed since the unauthorized study, unauthorized work, or other non-compliance ceased. 

Working during the time you are Academically Withdrawal or Suspended 

You are not authorized to work, either on-campus or off-campus, while you are on an Academic Withdrawal or Academic Suspension. 

Returning to studies 

If you have questions about your academic status, eligibility to return, or requirements for re-entry into your program, please consult with an Academic Advisor. 

Discussing the immigration implications of an academic withdrawal or suspension 

An Academic Withdrawal or Academic Suspension may have significant implications for your immigration status in Canada. We strongly encourage you to meet with an International Student Advisor to discuss: 

• How your academic status may affect your study permit compliance. 
• Any actions you may need to take to maintain your legal status in Canada. 
• Your options for returning to studies following the withdrawal or suspension period. 
• The potential impact on future immigration applications, including study permits, work permits, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). 

Seeking advice early can help you better understand your obligations and avoid unintended consequences related to your immigration status.