Authorized Leave Letters (due to Medical)

International students who intend to take an authorized leave from their studies due to medical reasons (e.g., mental, physical) are required to provide documentation to the University of Waterloo from a health care practitioner to obtain an authorized leave letter. To protect private health information, all medical documentation will be collected and reviewed by AccessAbility Services (AAS). Upon successful verification of the medical leave request, AAS will notify the SSO Immigration Consulting team to confirm your request for an authorized leave. The Immigration Consulting team will not have access to your medical documentation. Authorized leave letters may be generated when a student is required to take a leave due to medical reasons (which includes disability, medical conditions, illnesses, and/or trauma) impacting their ability to meaningfully participate in their academics.

Process

Step 1:

Complete the SSO Request for Authorized Leave form, indicating ‘medical’ as the reason for the leave.

Note: An Immigration Consultant will contact you after you submit this request.

Step 2:

Download and print the Undergraduate Medical Leave for International Students Verification Form to be completed by your health care practitioner.

Note: Appointments with a registered health care practitioner can take some time to arrange. If possible, we encourage you to begin the process to obtain documentation as soon as you are aware that you need to take a leave of studies due to a medical reason. Students are responsible for any fees incurred for the completion of the form.

Step 3:

Upload your completed Undergraduate Medical Leave for International Students Verification Form below.