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:

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

SAIT students enrolled in a certificate, diploma or degree are considered to be enrolled full-time if they are: 

• enrolled in nine or more credits during the Fall, Winter, or Spring/Summer term other than their final term of study
• enrolled in a co-op, internship or practicum, irrespective of the number of credits associated with their work-integrated learning component
• registered in any number of credits in their final term.

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.

Taking time away from studies and requesting a leave of absence from SAIT

As a student, you can request and potentially receive approval for a Leave of Absence when you encounter life circumstances that may require you to be away from your program for an extended period. To request a leave of absence from SAIT, you must submit a request using this form.

For immigration purposes, if your leave is less than 150 days, it meets IRCC’s requirement of authorized leave and you will be considered actively pursuing studies during your authorized leave period.  

If your leave will be more than 150 days, you must take action in order to avoid non-compliance with study permit conditions. International students should speak to an international student advisor when considering to apply for a leave of absence.

If your leave of absence is more than 150 days, please take one of the following actions before the 150 days are over:

• Apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada longer
• Leave Canada
• Change your status to "Worker" by applying for an eligible program

Please note, as of Nov. 8, 2024, international students must obtain a new study permit for changing their Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). Please speak to an international student advisor if you have plan to change your DLI during your leave of absence.

You are not allowed to work either on-campus or off-campus during your leave of absence.

Please do not let your study permit expire during your leave of absence. If your study permit expires, you will need to apply for a new study permit and it can take additional time to receive a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from SAIT. There is a possibility that you may not receive your study permit in time to continue your program, which may negatively impact your program progression and delay your completion date.

We strongly that you request a leave of absence confirmation letter by filling out the form here upon your graduation and include it in your future immigration applications.