Dear Mr Brown,

Due to the college strike in Ontario where I am currently a student, I am thinking of withdrawing from my current semester of study and starting again in January. What do you think?

— BB

Dear BB:

The five-week strike, which created a new record, has ended for Ontario college faculty. However, many international students feel very uncertain about their future. Colleges have implemented a revised schedule in which the Christmas break is shorter and the fall semester extends into January 2018, while the winter semester begins later in January.

Successful completion

From my perspective, withdrawing and opting for a full refund is practical, if:

1. The programme is available in January.

2. There is space available in that particular programme.

Most classes are already full for January. Moreover, the semester is being extended and the holiday period is shorter. As such, the lost time is being made up. With the adjusted syllabus, extension of the semester and extra student support in place, students have the opportunity to successfully complete the semester. I, therefore, believe this is the best option.

International students

Both domestic and international students may receive a full refund for the fall 2017 semester, and re-enrol in 2018. However, some international students are under the impression that if they withdraw from classes, then it is recommended that the student should automatically leave Canada.

Ordinarily, if an international student chooses to stop attending classes and withdraw from a programme, the student is required to leave the country. However, under the extenuating circumstances of the strike, the Government of the province of Ontario has been working alongside the federal government to alleviate the visa impacts the strike had on international students. For example, the federal government has provided assurance that students who need an extension to their visa as a result of the strike will be granted that extension.

Available funds

There are funds available for those who either select to complete or withdraw from the semester:

1. The Flight Reimbursement Fund is available to help students who have chosen to complete the fall 2017 semester to pay costs related to changes to flights booked prior to November 6, 2017.

2. The Student Strike Relief Fund is available to help students who choose to complete the fall 2017 semester with unexpected costs (other than flight changes) that they will incur due to the extended academic semester.

3. The Fall 2017 Semester Withdrawal and Tuition Refund is available to students who elect to withdraw from the fall 2017 semester through the recognition that the five-week faculty strike may have interrupted the lives of many students, and therefore sets the parameters for students who wish to leave college and receive a fall tuition refund.

Refund options and immigration status

International college students still have time to decide on their enrolment, as the deadline to withdraw from classes without academic penalty is December 5, 2017. However, the situation regarding withdrawal from the September 2017 term will depend on whether or not a student is enrolled for the January, May or September 2018 term.

Students who withdraw from 2017 fall semester and are enrolled for January 2018, there will be no impact on the immigration status or work permits of students.

Students who withdraw from the 2017 fall semester, and are not enrolled at a designated learning institution for the January 2018 semester, may change their status to “visitor” if they wish to remain in Canada or they may leave Canada altogether. Students may not be eligible for work permits.

Students who withdraw from the 2017 fall semester, and are enrolled at a designated learning institution for the summer or fall 2018 semester, may change their status to “visitor” if they wish to remain in Canada. Students may no longer meet the eligibility requirements for work permits. Students who change their status to visitor will need to apply for a new study permit from abroad if they wish to return to full-time studies.

Please visit JAMAICA2CANADA.COM for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programmes, including Express Entry, The Study & Work programme, Visas or Appeals, etc.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and an accredited Canadian education agent of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM-a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to jamaica2canada@gmail.com.