Canadian Study Permit Expired? What to do next

During your studies in Canada as an International Student, you need to keep watch on the expiry date of your study permit to continue to be eligible to study in Canada. Don’t miss to apply for the extension of your study permit in time to ensure its validity for uninterrupted studies in Canada.

Why Extending Your Study Permit in Canada Matters

Unless the study permit is revised within in given timelines, as a student, one risks their legal status and would be unable to continue further studies in Canada and would be liable to be removed from Canada as per the regulations of the Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Besides extension, a Valid Study Permit may also need updating or amendment

Generally, a study permit is issued for a specific course at a specified institution. Quite often, after the start of the study, a student feels the necessity to change the course or the institution. Such a change would need a study permit to be updated, failing which the student would be liable for removal from Canada. Such removal may lead to further complications for any further immigration applications or for further permits as a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

How Student Visa and Study Permit differ from each other

Many students take a study permit and a student visa the same thing, while both carry different connotations:

A study Permit allows one to study at a designated learning institution in Canada.  

One the other hand, a Student Visa (Temporary Resident Visa or eTA) is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required to enter Canada. The TRV is a sticker in your passport, while the eTA is an electronic authorisation for visa-exempt travellers.

One may need to extend both your study permit and TRV/eTA to remain in Canada legally. Always check the expiry dates of both documents to avoid travel or status issues.

Key Differences Between a Student Visa and a Study Permit

When should the Process to Extend Your Study Permit be started?

IRCC recommends applying to extend the study permit at least 90 days before it expires. Within this period, the applicant must gather all the documents and apply. One needs to check the expiry date on the study permit document. If you are unsure, contact your school’s international student office or IRCC for clarification.

If the application is made before expiry of study permit, one can continue studying under maintained status (previously called implied status) until a decision is made on the application. However, during this period, leaving Canada is not advised since, re-entering Canada without a valid TRV or eTA will not be valid.

Eligibility Criteria for Extending the Study Permit in Canada

1. The student must be enrolled in a program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), such as a university, college, or vocational school.
2. The student must be actively pursuing the studies for which the original study permit was granted. This includes maintaining full-time enrollment and demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, supported by relevant documentation.
3. The passport must be valid for the entire duration of the requested extension of the study permit.
4. The student must remain in compliance with the conditions of the current permit — for example, not exceeding the permitted work hours and studying at the institution listed on the permit.
5. The applicant must not have engaged in any activities that would render them inadmissible to remain in Canada.

During a previous Study permit, if the applicant has changed programs or schools, it must be ensured that new institution is a DLI eligible to study the course.

Documents Required to Extend the Study Permit & Process to Submit the Application to Extend the Same

The following documents would be required to make the application to extend the study permit:

1. A valid passport (including the biographical page).
2. Current study permit.
3. A letter of acceptance or enrolment confirmation from your DLI.
4. Proof of financial support (e.g., bank statements, scholarship letters, or financial sponsor documents).
5. A digital passport-sized photo (if required).
6. Any additional documents relevant to your cas,e such as transcripts or a letter explaining why you need to extend your permit.

Creating/logging in the RCC Account to submit the application

1.     Create one using your email address and a strong password.
2.     Select “Extend my stay as a student” in the IRCC portal.
3.     Fill out the IMM 5709 form (Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student).

Submit information for other points as details about your program, DLI, and financial resources to meet the study course in the application form, which would be simple to answer.

Answer all questions accurately, including details about your program, DLI, and financial situation.

Once application is complete, make payment for the application fees for extending a study permit as may be applicable (Currently CAD 150). Additional fees may apply if you are including family members or restoring your status.

Upload all required documents through the IRCC portal and an application number would be generated.

In case of any deficiency in the application, IRCC will provide a reason, please address the issues as raised and reapply.

Processing times vary but typically take 60–120 days for online applications. Check your IRCC account regularly for updates or requests for additional information.

If approved, your new study permit will be mailed to your Canadian address or made available electronically.

What is the Study Permit expiration date for the Application for Extension? How to Restore the Status?

If you fail to apply for an extension before the expiry of your study permit, you will lose the right to continue studying in Canada. However, in such a case, you can apply to restore your status within 90 days of expiry of your study permit, on payment of an additional fee (CAD 200)(Please check current rate as these are subject to change) and an explanation of why you missed the deadline.

Changing Schools or Programs

If you switch to a new DLI or program, notify IRCC immediately. You may need to amend your study permit, especially if the program length or location changes.

Extension of Temporary Resident Visa in Canada  or eTA

Besides, study permit, keep watch on expiry date of your Temporary Resident Visa or eTA. The same too are to be kept valid to re-enter Canada after traveling abroad. The eTA is typically valid for five years or until your passport expires. The extension of the same can be applied online through the IRCC portal or at a Canadian Visa Application Center (VAC) in your home country.

Including Family Members in Your Application

While making application for Study permit, may also add your spouse, or dependent children your application for extension of study permit extension.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Extending Your Study Permit

1. Not making the application to extend study permit well with in time that study permit gets extended before expiry of current study permit. Typically, it is advisable to apply at least 90 days before the expiry of current study permit.
2. Do ensure to attach all the stipulated and relevant documents. Incomplete documentations such as proof of enrolment or financial support, can result in refusal.
3. Incorrect Information: Double-check your application for errors in program details, DLI number, or personal information.
4. Ignoring TRV/eTA Expiry: Ensure your travel documents are valid if you plan to leave and re-enter Canada.
5. Not Consulting Your DLI: Your school’s international student office can provide guidance and verify your enrollment status. 

If your study permit extension application in Canada is denied, several important consequences and options follow:

What if the Study Permit Extension is Denied?

Denial of extension of Study Permit would have the following consequences:

1. Loss of Student Status: Once your extension is refused, you lose your legal student status in Canada, and thus you are no longer authorised to study or work under your previous permit conditions.
2. Cease Studying and Working: You must stop studying and working immediately if your permit has expired or been refused, as continuing would be illegal under Canadian immigration law.
3. The Implied Status to stay and work, which allows you to stay and study while your extension is processed, stands discontinued. If your application is denied, the implied status ends with the refusal.

Options After a Denial of Extension of Study Permit

1. Apply for Restoration of Status (Within 90 Days)
1. I. If your permit has expired or your extension has been refused, you may apply for restoration of your student status within 90 days of losing status.
2. II. Restoration requires submitting a new study permit application, paying the restoration fee, and providing a detailed explanation for the delay, including addressing the issues cited in the refusal of the study permit extension.
3. III. While awaiting restoration, you cannot study or work until your status is restored and a new permit is issued.
4. IV. If you do not apply for restoration within 90 days, you must leave Canada or face removal proceedings.
2. Where the study permit extension is denied, you can make a fresh application for a grant of study permit

   As there is no formal provision to appeal against the rejection of the extension of a study permit, making a fresh application is the only option.

   While making fresh application, do ensure to attach all the required documents and to ensure that the reasons for rejection of earlier application are fully addressed.

   If you are not aware of the reason why your previous application to extend your study permit was rejected, you can request the Global Case Management System (GCMS) notes to find out why it was refused.

3. Judicial Review or Reconsideration

• While there is no direct appeal, you may request a judicial review through the Federal Court if you believe the refusal was unfair or based on errors.
• This process can be complex and expensive.

The options listed above are summarized in the table below: