Canada Study Permit – Know How to Address Gaps In Study!

Last Updated On 17 January 2023, 8:29 AM EST (Toronto Time)

A lot of students want to study overseas because of a prosperous future. And, when we talk about studying abroad, Canada is one of the leading choices for most students.

People who want to study in Canada need a study permit. It lets you study at some of the most prestigious educational institutions in Canada.

There is no age limit for getting a student visa in Canada. However, you need to be accepted into a recognized educational institution.

Sometimes students take a break from studies in their home country, but then decide to pursue higher education.

This could be because of any reason – working, traveling, health or family. And it is okay to do so.

The good news is that having a study gap does not hinder your chance of being accepted into a Canadian college. 

However, if you have a study gap, you need to create a timeline in chronological order to explain it. So, you must keep track of all the key dates and events during that time.

You will need this to explain your situation to the officer. Make sure that you have all the required documents that can explain your gap.

Examples of these could be job letters, medical records, or travel tickets. 

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3 Common reasons for study gaps

There are many reasons why you could have a study gap. Listed below are three common reasons as well as how to deal with them – 

Medical Problems

Medical problems are unavoidable. This includes any illness or a serious accident. Taking a break because of them is considered completely legitimate.

Firstly, because it may not be possible for you to do anything during this time. Secondly, you may not be able to travel abroad.

Also, treatment is often more affordable in the home country. You can apply for a permit once your health has returned to normal. 

Remember that you need to prove your medical issues by providing a letter from your doctor. You must present the associated health certificates and medical reports to justify the gap. 

Working

A lot of you may decide to work for a while after your 12th standard or graduation. And this is perfectly fine. Working can provide you with valuable experience.

This can further help you in your studies. Moreover, some graduate programs in Canada require you to have a certain amount of work experience to be eligible for the program.

To justify this, you need to have proof of your work experience. Payslips and letters of experience can help you do so.

Make sure that the visa officer understands your professional and academic trajectory.

Family issues

Family problem is another unavoidable issue that can cause a study gap. During such emergencies, you often have to drop everything to look after your family.

An example of this may be the death of a close one. Or taking care of an aging family member. This makes it really difficult to concentrate on studying.

Officers know and understand that such things happen. All you need to do is be honest with them. Provide all the information that you can.

If you have any documents that explain the situation like a death certificate, have them ready. Also, you should be prepared to justify how exactly the event disrupted your studies in your application.

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