Policy Recap for Study Permit Holders (Fall 2024)
As October comes to an end, some students have just attended their graduation ceremonies and received their diplomas, while others are preparing to renew their study permits. Some students are worried about course selection or adding courses, and others are struggling with whether to withdraw from courses with unsatisfactory midterm or assignment grades. As an international student, the details you need to consider and worry about may be more numerous than those of local students. Based on various press releases from the past year by the Federal Immigration Department and the Canada Border Services Agency, let’s summarize the options available to students and the relevant points of attention.
Firstly, congratulations to those who have just attended their graduation ceremonies, and best wishes to those who will be graduating at the end of this semester. According to a press release by the IRCC on June 21, 2024, in order to further uphold procedural justice and the principle of fairness, international students are prohibited from using the “Flag Pole” method to take shortcuts in obtaining a post-graduation work permit. All international students who wish to apply for a post-graduation work permit must submit their applications electronically or in paper form within the legal time frame to the Immigration Department. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will also adjust its operations accordingly to comply with the latest administrative orders from theIRCC.
Regarding midterm course withdrawal, international students must maintain full-time status during regular semesters to ensure eligibility for future study permit renewals. This is especially important for those studying at schools and programs eligible for post-graduation work permits. When deciding whether to withdraw from a course, consider not only whether tuition fees can be refunded but also the impact on GPA calculation due to the reduced number of credits. For example, if a student is taking three courses, each worth three credits, and the minimum credit requirement for full-time status is consistent between the school and the IRCC, withdrawing from one course would leave the student with only six credits for the semester, making them a part-time student. This could affect future study permit renewals or post-graduation work permit applications. Another common situation is when the Immigration Department requires nine credits for full-time status, but the school requires 12 or 15 credits. In such cases, the IRCC will follow the school’s regulations or the enrollment verification provided by the school, making it crucial to consider these factors before withdrawing from a course.
In contrast to midterm course withdrawal, adding courses mid-semester also requires attention. Typically, students who need to add courses may have relevant knowledge or skills but failed to transfer credits due to school regulations and cannot attend regular classes to retake the credits. In these cases, it is important to note that credits between schools are not always fully compatible. While it is possible to earn credits by passing a challenge exam (i.e., the final exam for the course) approved by the instructor, department head, or even the dean, failing the challenge exam not only means paying full tuition for the course but also having the grade recorded on the official transcript. If this triggers academic probation, it could affect future study permit renewals.
Lastly, regarding attendance, since April 15, 2015, the Immigration Department has required all post-secondary institutions to cooperate in auditing international students’ attendance by submitting reports for audit in April and November each year. According to a press release from December 5, 2023, the IRCC will intensify audits to ensure international students are attending full-time classes. Due to academic freedom, most schools provide various accommodations for students. For example, the author’s alma mater does not require instructors to take attendance for every class and prohibits direct use of attendance as a grading criterion or reason to prevent students from taking final exams. If the IRCC conducts an audit, the school will not directly report student attendance. However, when the editor attended a nearby community college during the summer in previous years to catch up on credits, the college explicitly informed all students that if they missed one-third of the classes for any course, they would receive an Incomplete (IP) grade and be barred from the final exam. For international students, this would also be reported to the IRCC. Thus, whether it is the IP record on the transcript or being reported to the IRCC by the school, the impact can be as significant as withdrawing from a course mid-semester, which caused loss of full-time study status.
In conclusion, whether it is applying for a post-graduation work permit, midterm course withdrawal or addition, or meeting attendance requirements, international students need to pay special attention to various regulations and policy changes during their studies. Ensuring successful completion of studies and maintaining visa eligibility is crucial. Always stay informed of the latest announcements from your school and the Immigration Department, and make informed decisions based on this information to avoid unnecessary troubles and impacts.
