International Students: Taking a Leave from Your Studies

During your studies at Seneca Polytechnic, you may need to take time away from your program. It is important to understand the duration and type of leave you are eligible for, as this can have direct implications for your immigration status.

Regardless of the circumstances, any absence from your studies must be approved by Seneca for you to remain considered as enrolled. Taking an unauthorized leave, or failing to inform the institution, may impact your study permit conditions, your ability to work and your ability to remain in Canada.

A scheduled break is a period within the academic year when students are not required to be enrolled in classes but are still considered to be actively pursuing studies for immigration purposes.

At Seneca, scheduled breaks may include:

• study week during each academic term (fall, winter and summer)
• December holiday break
• breaks between academic terms
• official program breaks, where applicable, as outlined in your program structure

Some programs allow students to take a scheduled break for one term after completing two consecutive terms of full-time studies. To be eligible, you must be able to return to full-time studies in the same program, and the next semester to complete must be offered after you return from your break. If it is your final semester, you may return to a part-time course load. Please refer to Seneca’s Important Academic Dates and your program’s course delivery information. If you have questions about your program progression, connect with your student adviser.

Programs with fixed progression plans and built-in scheduled breaks must follow the program’s approved structure. Any request for time away outside of the program’s plan will be approved as an authorized leave.

Accelerated programs and programs that are two or three terms in length do not include scheduled breaks. You are not eligible for a scheduled break if you have been academically withdrawn, suspended from your program, or have changed programs without completing your previous program.

An authorized leave is an approved leave that falls outside of scheduled break conditions. It may be granted for reasons such as (but not limited to) medical, family emergencies or change of program within Seneca.

There are additional factors you must consider when taking authorized leave as it may affect:

• your eligibility to work on or off campus, and
• your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Students may take an authorized leave of up to 150 days, and still be considered to be actively pursuing studies, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

If you require an authorized leave longer than 150 days, you must speak with an immigration specialist before proceeding, as this may impact your legal status in Canada.

You must submit a Leave of Absence request by Day 10 of the term in which you plan to take the leave, even when your program includes a scheduled break. To request a leave from your studies, please take the following steps:

1. Connect with your student adviser to discuss your options and whether you are eligible for a scheduled break or authorized leave.
2. Book an appointment with an immigration specialist in person or online, or drop in at The Service Hub for support to understand how taking a leave may affect your student and immigration status.
3. Submit your Leave of Absence request in Student Home:
   • Log in to Student Home
   • Select the "Academic Records" tile
   • Select the "Leave of Absence" Request
   • Both Student Advising and Immigration need to approve your request
4. Requests will not be processed and finalized until final grades for the term are available. This is to ensure you are still eligible for the requested break.
5. Your request will be reviewed by the necessary departments, and you will receive a decision by email. You can also track the status of your request in Student Home. 

This information reflects current IRCC requirements and Seneca Polytechnic’s institutional processes. Immigration policies may change, and individual circumstances vary. Always refer to IRCC and consult with an Immigration Specialist before making decisions about taking time away from your studies.

Connect with The Service Hub.