Canada is a land of opportunities that welcomes immigrants and international students with open arms. Higher education, good living quality, high chance of employment, and more such reasons make it a dream for many students from India.
Are you someone who wants to move to Canada for your higher education? Do you have questions like how much of the gap is accepted to study in Canada? Do not worry about your gap year since it’s still possible for you to study in Canada with gap years.
This guide will help you learn more about how many years of gap is allowed for international students to study in Canada, including various other details.
Let’s get started.
What’s A Gap in Study?
It’s the time between your last graduation and the present. For example, if you graduated in 2020 and plan on pursuing your higher education in Canada in 2022, you’ll have a 2-year gap in your study that you will have to justify.
A gap in study is not a huge issue in India, but when you apply for a degree programme in Canada or other developed nations, it is a matter of concern.
It is a common place in India for students to take a year off after 12th grade, JEE, or even medical school before they get a job or pursue post-graduation.
Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students
How Many Gap Years Are Accepted for Study in Canada?
Students face many issues when applying for a Canadian study visa when they have a study gap. Note that pursuing higher education in Canada might be difficult if your study gap is too long.
If you’re wondering how much gap is accepted for study in Canada, here we go:
- A 2-year gap for diploma students
- A 2-year gap for undergraduate students
- A 5-year gap for postgraduate students
The above numbers might vary with each university. So, check with your university of choice to ensure they accept your study gap.
The only way out is to provide evidence for the gap in your education. Some acceptable reasons include,
- Retake tests for better grades
- Unexpected family emergency
- Health issues
- Psychological illnesses
- Unemployment after graduation
- Upskilling
Also Read: A guide to IELTS score for Canada
Eligibility For Getting into A Canadian University
Here’s the list of factors that a Canadian university will consider when you apply to pursue higher education with them
- A minimum of 50% score in a degree approved by the UGC or AICTE in India.
- Completion of a degree in the allotted period without a gap. (A three-year degree should be completed in 3 years)
- The number of backlogs during graduation should be at most ten.
How To Justify Your Study Gap?
Students applying for a Canadian student visa should get in touch with visa experts to learn about study gap-related requirements.
Based on this, you can attach appropriate reports and explanations in your statement of purpose while applying for your visa.
Some documents accepted in Canada for a study gap include
- Pay slips
- Letters of appointment
- Confirmation letters from universities and colleges
- Educational certificates
- Medical records of illnesses
Common Reasons for The Study Gap
You should be able to explain your study gap in your college application. Failing to do so is why most students do not get a student visa.
A bar chart visualizing the reasons people take a gap year along with the percentage for each.
The list of reasons is endless, but you’ll need a legitimate one for your application to get approved.
Here are a few common reasons,
Family Issues
Students may have to pause pursuing education to help support their families during times of crisis. If that is your case, you’ll have to be honest while applying for a Canadian student visa. You’ll have to provide the concerned authorities with enough proof to justify your claim.
Medical Issues
In life, you never know what’s around the corner. For instance, if you meet with a road accident requiring you to rest for a year to heal, you will have to pause your education.
The same goes for serious illnesses that affect people regardless of age. Such situations are unavoidable, and students will have to take a gap year to handle situations like that.
If you’re in a similar situation, gather all your evidence and present it to the authorities while applying for a visa.
Retaking Tests
Students expect a lot from themselves and are disappointed when they do not see their effort reap the benefits they expect. This dissatisfaction can often lead them to take a test again to improve their scores.
Although not everyone can afford this, those who reappear for an exam must sacrifice a whole year to improve their score.
Canadian universities accept this as a valid reason. But make sure you mention the reason in your statement of purpose while applying.
Work Experience
Most people get a job straight out of college to gain work experience or out of sheer interest.
However, they realise that their educational qualification has become a bottleneck for their growth and decide to pursue higher education.
Some programs in Canada, like an MBA, require a few years of work experience. This will require students to work for a few years after their undergraduate degree and then apply for post-graduation and work experience.
The above situations are all perfect reasons for gap years. You can clarify such situations by submitting proof of employment while applying for the study license.
Preparing for Government Jobs
Many graduates aspire to land a job in the government sector upon graduating. Students take a year off after school or college and invest the effort to prepare for government recruitment examinations.
The gap year allows students to prepare for exams without any pressure from schoolwork.
Students can prepare for the exams and then enrol in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme while they attempt to clear the exam. It is a reasonable excuse when you apply for a Canadian visa with a gap in your education.
Upskilling
A major reason students take a year off after graduation is to learn skills their degree program could not provide them. This might include learning new languages, soft skills, writing, etc.
Canadian universities appreciate such initiatives from the students and will not mind if you can substantiate your claim with proof.
It might even give you a better chance of getting into a postgraduate programme at a Canadian university.
Financial Issues
It is an excellent reason for gap years in study. People might need time to save up to pay for their higher education in Canada.
It may require them to work for a year or two, sell a property, etc. Some universities recognize this as being reasonable. But, only some universities in Canada take the same stance.
Also Read: Open Work Permit for Spouse in Canada: How To Apply, Fees, Eligibility
How do study gaps impact visa applications?
There is no defined long study gap in the procedure for getting a student visa to Canada, as applicants can apply for a study visa after many years of completing their high school education. However, the longer the gap, the higher the chances of rejection.
A study gap of 10 years or longer, for instance, can be questionable, because the visa officers see that as a red flag. To increase the likelihood of approval of your student visa, you should:
- Explain the gap with a valid reason (i.e.health issues or experience in working)
- Include court documents (if relevant), medical records, or letters from employers
- Submit a compelling cover letter outlining your academic background and intent to pursue higher education in Canada
Universities accepting study gaps
Many universities accept study gaps, but they have a specific set of requirements that students must fulfill. Some of the universities are:
| University Name | Study gap policy | Requirements |
| University of Toronto | Accepts study gaps, especially with productive use | Work experience, skill development, or health-related reasons |
| Seneca College | Accepts study gaps up to 5 years if justified | Relevant work experience or personal reasons with documentation |
| George Brown College | Accepts study gaps up to 5 years, if justified | Work experience or academic pursuits during the gap |
| Centennial College | Flexible, accepts study gaps | It accepts study gaps with proper documentation and avoids reasons |
| Humber College | Accommodates study gaps for up to 150 days | Employment history or skill development activities |
Unacceptable reasons for study gaps
There are a few study gaps that can be legitimate but may still appear to be problematic if not explained convincingly to visa officers. Here are some examples of unacceptable reasons for study gaps in Canada:
Multiple gaps or switching courses frequently
If you have taken multiple breaks or frequently changed your field of study without a good reason, this can make it seem like you’re not committed to your education. Visa officers need to see a clear, consistent study abroad plan to believe you will complete your education in Canada.
Citing personal reasons
If you’ve taken time off for personal reasons or as a break, then you must show that you’ve upgraded your skills to support your personal and professional endeavors. If you have suffered from any illnesses, then give specific details and add supporting documents. If you fail to do so, then it can make visa officers suspicious. They need to understand why you took a break. If you can’t explain it properly, then you may risk your application.
Traveling or taking a long vacation
Even if you weren’t studying, the visa officers like to see that you were doing something with your time. If you’ve taken a study gap for travel purposes and have nothing to show against that in terms of learning and work, it can hurt your application.
Looking for a job Instead of studying
If you pause your studies just to find a job, especially in a field unrelated to your education, the visa officers may be hesitant to approve your visa application. Visa officers want to see that your focus is on using the skills you intend to inherit from learning the course in Canada. Showing irrelevant job experience will showcase your lack of credibility.
Unemployment without explanation
However, if you took no job during your study break and did absolutely nothing to upgrade your skills or to prepare for future education, then you have a problem. It’s important to show that you used your time wisely, even if you weren’t studying or working.
So, in many cases, the study gap can be perceived by the visa officers as a cause of concern, which might subject your application to more scrutiny, eventually leading to rejection. However, it is rare for a study gap to be the sole cause of rejection of your application.
Also Read: Education Loan for Study in Canada: Interest Rates, Courses, Requirements & Banks
Tips for making a strong application with a study gap
Here are some tips on how you can still make a strong application despite your study gap:
A succinct and honest explanation
Begin by mentioning your gap year. Give a humane explanation. During the interview, be open and candid with the visa officer.
Mention your skills
Explain any skills you learned during the gap years. List the coursework or self-study you participated in, what you learned, and how it applies to the field of study you intend on going into.
Be passionate
Explain how your gap prepared you for the program you are applying to. If, for example, you worked in a field related to your studies, talk about how this experience may have deepened your interest in and passion for the subject.
Give excellent supporting documents
Back up your explanation with proof. Such evidence may involve employment letters, health records, or certificates of courses and voluntary efforts. These papers give proof of your explanation.
Write a strong statement of purpose (SOP)
Your SOP can be a complete game changer for you to get the visa. You can talk about the gap, how you utilized that time, and how much it benefits your profession and academic plan.
By approaching your study gap with transparency, preparation, and a focus on personal growth, you can turn a potential disadvantage into a compelling part of your application story.
Why Opt for Higher Education in Canada?
Canadian universities help students with great research ideas and award scholarships based on research work.
Here’s a list of reasons why you should opt for a postgraduate degree in Canada
- Affordable education
- Abundant research opportunities
- Possibility of working in Canada after graduating
- Healthy, inclusive, and safe communities
- Work and internship opportunities while studying
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However selecting the right university is not the only aspect that you consider before moving abroad to study. One of the key important things is to be able to survive and support yourself financially while studying abroad.
It is the most vital thing you should make sure of before heading out of your country, where you are away from your family and all possible support systems.
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