How to maintain work permit eligibility in Canada during a study break in 2026?

Students plan to move to Canada as it offers them great advantages like high-quality education, diverse cultural exposure, and great opportunities to work while studying. Many students come to Canada with a dream of building a life here and so apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) and later for permanent residency in Canada.

You have to maintain your work permit eligibility throughout so that your future plans are on track. But what will happen if you plan to take a break from your studies there?

Study breaks and work permits for international students in Canada

If you come to Canada on a Canadian student visa, you are usually permitted to study full-time at your college or university, work up to 20 hours per week during your semesters although you can work full-time during your official scheduled breaks. All these work permissions will give you Canadian work experience, which will help you when you apply for permanent residency in Canada. 

These are the qualifications you must have to get a PGWP –

1. Be a full-time student, except in your final year

2. Do not take unauthorized breaks

3. Keep a valid student permit

Scheduled or authorized break

These are the 2 types of breaks that will not harm your PGWP eligibility-

1. Scheduled breaks are the holidays mentioned in your academic calendar, like the summer and winter breaks. You are allowed to work full-time during these scheduled breaks.

2. Authorized leave of absence- in case of unexpected emergencies like health issues, pregnancy, urgent family issues, or changing programs, you can apply for an authorized leave, but it has to be approved by your Designated Learning Institution (DLI). However, these are a few things that should be kept in mind-

• Your authorized leave must not exceed 150 days

• You must be a full-time student right before and after your college break.

• You must have an official letter confirming the break from your college

You will risk losing your student status in Canada if you take an unauthorized break or for a longer break which is not approved by your college. Even after graduation, you might not be eligible for a work permit. 

Are you allowed to work during a break?

You are allowed to work full-time during your regular break, like summer holidays. However you are not allowed to work if you take a break from studies with your college’s permission, even if your study permit usually allows it. If you work during unauthorized leave, you may not be eligible for a work permit or even a permanent residency in Canada in the future.

How to request an authorized leave of absence?

Each college has its own process, but these are the common steps that are usually followed-

1. Submit a written request letter mentioning the reason behind your need for the leave.

2. Attach the necessary documents like medical certificates, family documents, etc

3.  Provide copies of your study permit, Canada student visa, and passport

Once your college approves your leave, they will give you an official letter with the reason for your leave, start and end dates, and confirmation of approval will be mentioned. Keep this letter safely, as it may be asked for by the IRCC in the future when you apply for your PGWP.

IRCC approved exceptions

There could be genuine reasons for a break, and IRCC understands that. Here are a few approved exceptions-

1. Authorized break up to 150 days

2. In your final semester, the course load will reduced

3. Special exemptions such as COVID-19

Other options than taking a full break

If you feel the need to take a break but don’t want to risk the work permit eligibility, here’s what you can do-

1. Rather than stopping completely, reduce your course load

2. If your college offers online classes, you can take them so that you stay enrolled

3. In order to have Canadian work experience and remain an active student, you can join internships or co-op programs

You can maintain your full-time student status by opting for these options

Learn French to boost your working opportunities

Since Canada is a bilingual country, you can get more job opportunities if you know French.

By learning French, you can –

1. Earn 25 to 50 extra CRS points in the Express Entry system.

2. Increase your chances of finding a job in more parts of Canada.

3. Get eligible for special immigration pathways like the Francophone Mobility Program, French-speaking skilled worker streams under provincial nominee programs, and category-based express entry draws focused on French speakers

4. You will get familiar with the Canadian culture better

How to learn French while studying

Learning a new language can feel overwhelming, but somehow you can try to make it a part of your life so that it becomes easier for you. 

Engage in French media, watch French movies. You can start with anything that is of your interest, like I love music, so I started listening to French music and artists. Enroll yourself in a French online course. Practice speaking French with your French. You can try to communicate with the natives to catch their accent. All these steps won’t just help you in language tests but will help you in your job interviews and even in your daily life.

This is how we can help you

You can learn French with Avani. This is what we offer-

1. Courses designed for immigration and are beginner-friendly

2. Guidance on IRCC requirements in simple language

3. Supporting you for your exams like TEF or TCF, or TEFAQ