Immigration
Studying in Canada
I am Required to Withdraw (RTW) from SFU. How will my academic standing of RTW impact my study permit conditions and my status in Canada?
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) section 222, there are certain scenarios where a study permit can become invalid before its expiration date printed on the permit.
According to IRPR 222 (1), your study permit will become invalid on the earliest of the following dates:
- (a) 90 days after you have completed your studies;
- (a.1) The day you are no longer enrolled at SFU, if your study permit lists SFU as your designated learning institution (This does not apply if you’ve completed your program); or
- (c) the expiration day printed in your study permit.
This means when your academic standing changes to Required to Withdraw (RTW), you are discontinued and are no longer enrolled at SFU. As a result, your study permit will become invalid per R222 (1)(a.1). As a foreign national in Canada, you must have valid temporary resident status throughout your stay in Canada. In other words, before your study permit becomes invalid, you must take action.
Key points:
- Review your study permit to confirm whether SFU is listed as your designated learning institution.
- When your academic standing changes to Required to Withdraw (RTW), you are discontinued from your studies and are no longer enrolled at SFU.
- If SFU is listed on your study permit, your study permit may become invalid as per R222 (1) (a.1).
- As a foreign national in Canada, you must have a valid temporary resident status throughout your stay in Canada.
- Many students with a RTW standing are eligible to join the highly successful Back on Track (BOT) program.
- Book an RTW information session and or connect with an Academic Advisor to understand your option for continuing or returning to your studies at SFU.
What are my options?
I am eligible to join the BOT program
- If you are eligible to participate in the BOT program, you will receive an invitation email with additional details about your next steps and instructions on how to join the BOT program.
- Make sure to review the BOT invitation email and take the proper actions to join the BOT program by the specific deadline as noted in the invitation email.
- By joining the BOT program, you will remain enrolled at SFU. Your participation in the BOT will not negatively impact your study permit validity or compliance with your study permit.
Please refer to the BOT FAQ page for further details on compliance with your study permit conditions and work eligibility during the BOT program.
I have an SFU study permit and am not eligible to join the BOT program
- Your study permit becomes invalid on the day your academic standing changes to RTW.
- If you plan to attend another post-secondary institution, you must apply and have a new study permit to study at the other post-secondary institution.
- If you have not applied to change your status in Canada (e.g., Apply for a new study permit for another institution, work permit or visitor record) before your academic standing changes to RTW, you shall leave Canada and apply for a new study permit outside Canada when you are ready to return to SFU. As of November 8, 2024, IRCC requires international students transferring to another Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to apply for a new study permit under the updated DLI change process.
- Connect with an International Student Advisor (ISA) for guidance and support.
SFU is not listed as my institution on my study permit, and I am not eligible to join the BOT program.
- You are expected to remain enrolled and actively engaged in your studies while in Canada.
- To understand the study permit conditions, please connect with an International Student Advisor (ISA) for guidance and support.