Yes, international students in Canada can take an ‘Authorized Leave’ for medical or mental health reasons for up to 150 days. You must get a formal doctor’s note and official approval from your DLI. During this leave, you remain in legal status but you are strictly forbidden from working on or off-campus.
University life is notoriously stressful, and being an international student adds the massive pressures of homesickness, financial strain, and adapting to harsh Canadian winters. Whether you are studying in Montreal, Winnipeg, or Halifax, experiencing burnout, severe anxiety, or depression is a serious health issue.
Many students suffer in silence because they fear that dropping classes or taking a semester off will automatically result in their deportation. Fortunately, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognizes that medical emergencies happen. You are legally permitted to take a break to focus on your mental health without destroying your Study Permit or your future Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). 📚
However, this is not an informal process. You cannot simply stop showing up to lectures and stay in your apartment. To protect your Canadian immigration status, you must meticulously follow the rules for an ‘Authorized Leave’. Securing the right medical documentation and keeping your university informed is the only way to safeguard your future.
Step-by-Step Process for Requesting an Authorized Medical Leave
Taking a mental health break requires coordination between your doctor, your university, and your IRCC file. Generally, you must follow these exact steps to ensure your leave is fully authorized under Canadian law. 📊
Step 1: Consult a Canadian Healthcare Professional
Your first step is to seek medical help. Visit a walk-in clinic, the university health centre, or a registered psychologist. You must obtain a formal medical certificate or letter stating that you are currently unfit to continue your studies due to health reasons.
Step 2: Apply for Leave at Your DLI
Take the medical note to your university or college’s international student advising office. You must formally request an ‘Authorized Leave of Absence’. The school will review your request and issue an official letter granting you permission to pause your studies. 📝
Step 3: Cease All Employment Immediately
This is the most critical immigration rule. The exact moment your leave begins and you drop your classes, you must stop working. You are not allowed to work off-campus or on-campus during a medical leave. Doing so is unauthorized labour and will ruin your PGWP chances.
Step 4: Focus on Your Recovery
With your paperwork secured, take the time to heal. You can remain inside Canada during your authorized leave, or you can choose to fly back to your home country to be with family. Your Canadian Study Permit remains perfectly valid.
Step 5: Keep a Paper Trail for IRCC
Do not throw any documents away. Keep your doctor’s note, your school’s approval letter, and emails safely stored in a digital folder. You will absolutely need to upload these documents to IRCC in the future to explain the gap in your transcripts.
Step 6: Return to School Within 150 Days
IRCC policy allows a maximum of 150 days for an authorized leave. Under IRCC officer instructions, this 150-day limit starts counting from the actual day you stop pursuing studies (when you stop attending classes), not from the date your DLI officially approves or registers the leave. You must resume your full-time studies by the next available academic semester within this timeframe, otherwise, you must formally change your status to a Visitor or leave Canada.
Authorized Leave vs. Unauthorized Dropout
Understanding the difference between a formal leave and just skipping school is vital. Here is how IRCC views your absence:
| Type of Absence | Impact on Study Permit and PGWP |
|---|---|
| Authorized Medical Leave | Protects your status. You remain legally in Canada. As long as you provide the proof when applying, it generally will not negatively affect your PGWP eligibility. |
| Unauthorized Leave (Just stopping classes) | Violates section 220.1(1) of the IRPR. The school reports you as non-compliant, you risk immediate deportation, and your PGWP will almost certainly be refused. |
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Managing your health and immigration status involves some administrative and medical expenses. As of June 2026, students should budget for the following:
- Medical Consultations: If you have provincial health care or university insurance (like UHIP or MSP), seeing a doctor is usually free. If uninsured, a walk-in clinic charges about $100 to $150 CAD.
- Psychologist Fees: Private therapy sessions in Canada typically cost between $150 and $250 CAD per hour.
- University Deferral Fees: Some Canadian DLIs charge a small administrative fee, usually $50 to $100 CAD, to process a formal deferral or leave of absence request.
- Status Changes: If your recovery takes longer than 150 days and you need to switch to a Visitor Record to remain in Canada legally, the IRCC application fee is $100 CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Requesting an authorized leave should be done as quickly as possible. Securing a doctor’s appointment and getting the medical note usually takes 1 to 3 days. Your university’s international office will typically process your request and issue the official approval letter within 1 to 2 weeks. Remember, the absolute maximum time you can remain out of school on an authorized leave is 150 days, starting from the day you actually stop attending classes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I work just 10 hours a week to pay rent?
No. You are strictly forbidden from working any hours during an authorized leave of absence. You must rely on savings or support from family. Working during this time is illegal under Canadian immigration law.
Can I go home to my country during the leave?
Yes. You are fully allowed to leave Canada and return to your home country to recover. Just ensure your Study Permit and Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) are still valid when you attempt to re-enter Canada.
What if I need more than 150 days to recover?
If your health requires a longer break, you cannot stay on your Study Permit. You must apply to change your status to a Visitor Record, or you must physically leave Canada until you are ready to return to school.
Do I need an immigration lawyer to get an authorized leave?
Normally, your school’s international advisor can guide you through this. However, if your PGWP is later refused because of this break, browse our directory to find a Canadian immigration lawyer to appeal the decision.
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