As you learned in Step 1 of this guide, international students must follow the rules and regulations governing study in Canada as outlined by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These rules extend beyond gaining a study permit and include everything from maintaining your student status, working on and off-campus, travelling during your studies and continuing to live and work in Canada once you graduate. It is important to understand and stay on top of IRCC requirements throughout your time as an international student.
Immigration and academic definitions at Sask Polytech
Accepted vs. enrolled
Students who receive a letter of acceptance and have paid their deposit by the deadline
date are considered accepted students. This means they are “expected to be enrolled/registered”
and will hold this status until their academic program begins.
Once a student begins their program, they are considered enrolled. An enrolment verification can be requested through mySaskPolytech to confirm enrolment.
As a study permit holder, you are required to be “actively pursuing your studies” and hold ongoing enrolment in a program that leads to the completion of a certificate, diploma or degree.
Once a student begins their program, they are considered enrolled. An enrolment verification can be requested through mySaskPolytech to confirm enrolment.
As a study permit holder, you are required to be “actively pursuing your studies” and hold ongoing enrolment in a program that leads to the completion of a certificate, diploma or degree.
Full-time vs. part-time student status
As an enrolled student you can either study part-time or full-time. At Saskatchewan
Polytechnic, to be considered a full-time student you must be enrolled in a minimum
of a 60% course load (or 40% for students with accessibility accommodations). You
are also considered full time when registered in a mandatory work placement (co-op/practicum/internship
course).
Note that students who are not studying full-time are not eligible to work off campus or obtain a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) unless they are in their final semester of study.
Note that students who are not studying full-time are not eligible to work off campus or obtain a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) unless they are in their final semester of study.
Distance learning
As per IRCC, distance learning is “a process by which technology is used in ways where the student
does not have to physically be in the place where the teaching is taking place.” Distance
learning can be through e-learning, correspondence or internet courses.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers some online courses or programs through the School of Continuing Education. However, please note that as an international student you are accepted into a full-time program requiring in-person classes. Since, by definition, distance learning does not require one to be in Canada, a study permit cannot be issued for this type of course. Also, note that courses completed through continuing education reflect as unclassified courses on student transcripts.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers some online courses or programs through the School of Continuing Education. However, please note that as an international student you are accepted into a full-time program requiring in-person classes. Since, by definition, distance learning does not require one to be in Canada, a study permit cannot be issued for this type of course. Also, note that courses completed through continuing education reflect as unclassified courses on student transcripts.
If you choose to take any distance learning courses while on a Study Permit, it might impact your eligibility to work off campus and for a PGWP. Please seek advice from an international student advisor before you take any distance learning classes.
Regularly scheduled break
A regularly scheduled break is determined by the institution. At Sask Polytech, some
programs may have a regularly scheduled break between the fall and winter semesters,
a mid-term break in February and a longer break in summer between April and August.
For more information, see Academic Year and Breaks.
Study permit holders can typically work full time during scheduled breaks as long as they are registered full time in the program the semesters before and after the break.*
*If you have completed a program and are not starting a new program, you are not authorized to work full time because you are not on a break from study. (Please see the section about PGWPs below.)
*If you are switching to a new program after the break without completing the initial program, please see your international student advisor regarding work authorization.
* Please note that if you’ve completed one program and are starting a new program within 150 calendar days of receiving confirmation of your previous program's completion, the gap between the two programs is not considered your scheduled break. For information about work authorization during this period, please refer to the section titled “Returning for another program of study”.
Study permit holders can typically work full time during scheduled breaks as long as they are registered full time in the program the semesters before and after the break.*
*If you have completed a program and are not starting a new program, you are not authorized to work full time because you are not on a break from study. (Please see the section about PGWPs below.)
*If you are switching to a new program after the break without completing the initial program, please see your international student advisor regarding work authorization.
* Please note that if you’ve completed one program and are starting a new program within 150 calendar days of receiving confirmation of your previous program's completion, the gap between the two programs is not considered your scheduled break. For information about work authorization during this period, please refer to the section titled “Returning for another program of study”.
Document extensions
Study permit extension
We recommend applying to extend your study permit well in advance of its expiry date.
Please note that IRCC processing times vary and may change. Study permit extensions
may take as long as six or more months to process.
Once you have applied for the extension, while your Study Permit is valid you will have “maintained status,” which allows you to continue studying and working under the authorization of your previous permits as long as you remain in Canada while the application is being processed. Use the IRCC instruction guide to assist you while applying for a study permit extension.
To extend your study permit, you will need to show that you are actively pursuing your studies. To do this, you will need to provide your letter of acceptance as well as your enrolment verification and a transcript, which can be requested through mySaskPolytech. If you are entering into a new program, you will also need your new letter of acceptance, which can be downloaded through mySaskPolytech.
Once you have applied for the extension, while your Study Permit is valid you will have “maintained status,” which allows you to continue studying and working under the authorization of your previous permits as long as you remain in Canada while the application is being processed. Use the IRCC instruction guide to assist you while applying for a study permit extension.
To extend your study permit, you will need to show that you are actively pursuing your studies. To do this, you will need to provide your letter of acceptance as well as your enrolment verification and a transcript, which can be requested through mySaskPolytech. If you are entering into a new program, you will also need your new letter of acceptance, which can be downloaded through mySaskPolytech.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) extension
Your study permit is not a travel document. Most students will need either an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada. If your study permit is expiring, it is likely that your visa will
have a matching expiration date. While it is not required to have a valid TRV, we
strongly recommend that students maintain the ability to leave and re-enter Canada
in case of emergency travel. To learn more on how to apply for TRV extension, please
visit the IRCC website.
For foreign nationals who require an eTA, their eTA remains valid for five years from the date of issuance or until their passport expires, whichever comes first, regardless of their study permit expiry date. Learn more about electronic travel authorization (eTA).
For foreign nationals who require an eTA, their eTA remains valid for five years from the date of issuance or until their passport expires, whichever comes first, regardless of their study permit expiry date. Learn more about electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Citizens from some visa-required countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa may now be eligible to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA), instead of a visa, to travel to Canada by air. To learn more, please visit the IRCC website.
Passports
Temporary residents are required to maintain a valid passport for the entire duration
of their stay in Canada. Students are encouraged to apply for passport renewals prior
to coming to Canada. Also, a study permit, work permit, TRV and eTA will not be issued
beyond the validity of your travel document. Should a passport need to be renewed
while a temporary resident is in Canada, this should be done well in advance of the
expiration date to allow enough time for processing for both the new passport and
applying to extend their stay. Visit your home country’s passport office website for
information about processing times.Renewing a passport may require travel to the nearest
embassy (which may be outside of Canada). Please check the Global Affairs Canada website to find your nearest embassy or consulate.
Travelling during studies
Taking time off or travelling while your program is in session is not recommended
and should be reserved for emergencies. Students who are needing to be away from their
program for a short period of time, will be required to consult with their program
heads and individual instructors to arrange assignments and make sure they are able
to meet the requirements of their programs.
Students should travel with documentation to show approval from their programs to be away from their classes as well as an official enrolment verification.
Students can travel during scheduled breaks if they have a valid study permit but must ensure they have up-to-date travel documentation. For more information on travelling and re-entering Canada as an international student, please visit the IRCC website.
Students should travel with documentation to show approval from their programs to be away from their classes as well as an official enrolment verification.
Students can travel during scheduled breaks if they have a valid study permit but must ensure they have up-to-date travel documentation. For more information on travelling and re-entering Canada as an international student, please visit the IRCC website.
Working in Canada while you study
On- and off-campus work
There are rules that you must follow as an international student if you wish to work
in Canada. IRCC determines the number of hours you may work and when you may begin
or are required to stop. These rules vary for on-campus work vs. working off campus,
and you must meet specific eligibility requirements. For up-to-date info on the rules
and regulations on working while you study as an international student, please visit
the IRCC website.
Co-op Work Permit
If you are enrolled in a program that requires a work term, practicum, clinical, industrial
attachment or another form of work-integrated learning, you require a co-op work permit.
The co-op work permit is free to apply for and can be done at the same time as the initial study permit application. If you're applying from outside Canada, you cannot submit your co-op work permit application separately from your study permit application.
To apply for a co-op work permit after you arrive in Canada, you must meet the following criteria:
When you are filling in the Employer portion of the IRCC form:
The co-op work permit only applies to work arranged as part of your program. You may not work full time elsewhere using your co-op work permit.
The co-op work permit is free to apply for and can be done at the same time as the initial study permit application. If you're applying from outside Canada, you cannot submit your co-op work permit application separately from your study permit application.
To apply for a co-op work permit after you arrive in Canada, you must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a valid study permit
- Work term, practicum, clinical, industrial attachment or work-integrated learning is mandatory to complete the program
- Co-op placement is less than 50% of the study program
- Hold a letter of acceptance that shows a number (in weeks) under internship/practicum
When you are filling in the Employer portion of the IRCC form:
- List Saskatchewan Polytechnic as the employer
- Use the address of your campus
- Put “co-op student” for the job title and “as assigned” for duties
- If you don’t know the exact dates of your work terms use the same dates in your LOA for the start and end of the entire program.
- When you are prompted to upload a co-op letter, upload page three and four of your LOA.
The co-op work permit only applies to work arranged as part of your program. You may not work full time elsewhere using your co-op work permit.
What to do if you are required to discontinue
Not meeting performance expections
At Saskatchewan Polytechnic, students must obtain a 50% grade to pass a course. However,
to successfully progress in the program, you must obtain a 60% average by the end
of every semester. You also require a minimum overall GPA of 60% to graduate from
the program.
Successful completion of one semester is usually the basis for progression to the next level of education and training. When a student does not meet those performance expectations, they are given the opportunity to improve. A student who still fails to meet the standards after being given an opportunity to improve will be placed on academic probation or be required to discontinue (RTD).
Please see Academic Progress procedure (pdf) for more information.
A student required to discontinue will be notified by the program through email at the end of the semester. Once the RTD letter is received, the student is considered withdrawn from their program. As a result, students will lose any work authorization. Students not able to resume studies within 150 days must change to visitor status or worker status, or must leave Canada. For information on how a break in studies may impact your status, refer to the IRCC website: Assessment of study permit conditions. To learn more about study permit compliance and understand your options after receiving an RTD letter, please contact an international student advisor.
Students returning to the same program after the RTD period must submit an application for return-to-complete (RTC) and pay the program application fee. Program head approval is required. Please contact an international student advisor for assistance on return-to-complete (RTC) application.
Successful completion of one semester is usually the basis for progression to the next level of education and training. When a student does not meet those performance expectations, they are given the opportunity to improve. A student who still fails to meet the standards after being given an opportunity to improve will be placed on academic probation or be required to discontinue (RTD).
Please see Academic Progress procedure (pdf) for more information.
A student required to discontinue will be notified by the program through email at the end of the semester. Once the RTD letter is received, the student is considered withdrawn from their program. As a result, students will lose any work authorization. Students not able to resume studies within 150 days must change to visitor status or worker status, or must leave Canada. For information on how a break in studies may impact your status, refer to the IRCC website: Assessment of study permit conditions. To learn more about study permit compliance and understand your options after receiving an RTD letter, please contact an international student advisor.
Students returning to the same program after the RTD period must submit an application for return-to-complete (RTC) and pay the program application fee. Program head approval is required. Please contact an international student advisor for assistance on return-to-complete (RTC) application.
Leave of absence/authorized leave
If you need to take a leave from studies due to medical illness, injury, pregnancy,
family emergency, death or serious illness of a family member, you must first seek
approval from Sask Polyetch. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will
require an approval from International Education, your program head and dean. Contact
an international student advisor for more information.
More details on authorized leaves from studies can be found on the IRCC website.
More details on authorized leaves from studies can be found on the IRCC website.
After you graduate
Students who hold a valid study permit or on maintained status and have not yet received their graduation documents, will continue to be authorized to work on- or off-campus as per the conditions of their study permit. The IRCC has specific guidelines that determine how long you may work as a student who has recently finished your program and can be reviewed on the IRCC website.
Graduation documents may take four to six weeks to receive in the mail and will include a final transcript, parchment (credential) and letter of completion. Please ensure your permanent address is updated on mySaskPolytech as documents are mailed to your permanent address only.
Within four to six weeks of program completion, documents can also be accessed and downloaded through MyCreds and mySaskPolytech under “myElectronic Letters.”
Once you receive any of these graduation documents, you are no longer considered a student by IRCC.
If you are planning to travel while waiting for a decision by the IRCC on your PGWP, please contact an international student advisor for guidance before leaving the country as there may be impacts on your work authorization.
Post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
You may be eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after you graduate from
your Sask Polytech program. Check the current list of programs that may meet the current eligibility criteria for the PGWP.
Please be aware that enrolment in a program at Sask Polytech that is PGWP-eligible does not guarantee PGWP approval by IRCC. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements as outlined by IRCC.
A PGWP is an open work permit that will allow you gain valuable work experience anywhere in Canada. The occupation is not limited to your field of study. To learn what a PGWP is, and who can apply:
The IRCC determines whether you may start work once you have submitted a complete application for a PGWP and are waiting for it to be processed. For information on eligibility to begin work, please visit the IRCC website.
If you need to confirm your eligibility to work in Canada, please contact an international student advisor. For more information on applying for a PGWP, visit the IRCC website.
Please be aware that enrolment in a program at Sask Polytech that is PGWP-eligible does not guarantee PGWP approval by IRCC. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements as outlined by IRCC.
A PGWP is an open work permit that will allow you gain valuable work experience anywhere in Canada. The occupation is not limited to your field of study. To learn what a PGWP is, and who can apply:
The IRCC determines whether you may start work once you have submitted a complete application for a PGWP and are waiting for it to be processed. For information on eligibility to begin work, please visit the IRCC website.
If you need to confirm your eligibility to work in Canada, please contact an international student advisor. For more information on applying for a PGWP, visit the IRCC website.
Returning for another program of study
You may begin working full time if you have received written confirmation of your
program completion (final transcript, completion letter or parchment, for example),
have received a letter of acceptance for a new program starting within 150 days, and
continue to meet eligibility criteria.
If you have not completed the first program and are switching programs you are not eligible to work during the break.
If you are undecided about pursuing the next program, please consult an international student advisor so they can help you understand how you can remain in compliance with your study permit conditions.
If you have not completed the first program and are switching programs you are not eligible to work during the break.
If you are undecided about pursuing the next program, please consult an international student advisor so they can help you understand how you can remain in compliance with your study permit conditions.
Permanent residency
Saskatchewan has among the most attractive Permanent Residency (PR) laws in Canada
for students looking to immigrate to Canada. Visit the the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program for more information.
Information on additional PR pathways is available on the IRCC website. For immigration advice please consult an external Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or lawyer in good standing.
Information on additional PR pathways is available on the IRCC website. For immigration advice please consult an external Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or lawyer in good standing.
