Skip to main content

5-Year Educational Gap

Students with 5-year study gap can't apply. Exceptions apply to current Canadian students who finished their degree.

Applications from students in India, Nigeria, and Pakistan with a study gap of more than 5 years from their last formal education cannot be processed. This is because the 5-year study gap rule is a mandatory requirement.

Please note that this rule could also apply to other countries not listed here. Rules may change, so not all included countries are listed in this article.


​What is acceptable

  • Canada-Specific Exception: If you’re studying in Canada with a valid permit and enrolled in a program, this can be considered if you provide supporting documents (study permit, acceptance letter, etc.). However, if the program is not complete and the final degree/diploma is not received, it cannot be used to fulfill the 5-year study gap requirement.
    ​

  • Formal Education: You may include any formal education, such as diploma, undergraduate, and/or postgraduate degrees, completed within this period, to fill the gaps.

What is not acceptable

  • Excluded Activities: Certification courses, informal education, and job experience do not count towards this gap.
    ​

  • Incomplete Canadian Studies: If you have not finished your study in Canada, it does not count towards fulfilling the 5-year gap requirement.


When you upload your documents, an error will notify you if your gap exceeds 5 years.

If you encounter this issue and the proof is missing, Passage won’t be able to process your application.

Did this answer your question?