How long can I stay in Canada after my study permit expires

To remain an active student in Canada, you need a valid study permit. It is just as important as your student visa, if not more important.

While your student visa allows you to enter Canada for academic purposes.

The study permit, “permits” you to engage in academic activities while in Canada.

That is to say, without your study permit, you don’t have a student status in Canada.

And, you can’t stay in Canada for study purposes if you lose your student status – if you don’t have a valid study permit.

Your study permit is designed to last as long as your program and should expire at the end of your program (by which you’re expected to leave the country).

However, if your study permit expires and you are NOT done with your program or you have a reason to remain in the country after your study permit expires, below is how long you can stay.

How long can I stay in Canada after my study permit expires?

After your study permit expires, you have 90 to stay in Canada. During this period, you either apply to extend your study permit or prepare to leave Canada. Your stay in Canada as a student is tied to your study permit. Without it, you’ll be out of the country after 90 days.

When your study permit expires, you’ll lose your student status (you’re no longer a student in Canada).

If you want to continue as a student in the country, you need to restore your student status.

What happens if my study permit expires in Canada?

If your study permit expires while you’re in Canada, you’ll enter a 90-day “restoration period.” During this time, you can apply to restore your status as a student. However, if you fail to apply to restore your student status within this period or if your application is refused, you’ll be required to leave Canada immediately.

If you don’t restore your student status by applying for an extension, you’ve to leave the country.

At every point in your stay in Canada as a student, your study permit “must” be valid.

A valid study permit is what makes you a legal resident of Canada in a study program.

Without a permit (once it expires and it’s not renewed), you’ll no longer be a legal resident of Canada.

Can I apply for a Canada study permit extension?

You can apply for a student permit extension in Canada. If your study permit expires before the end of your program or if you have any reason to stay beyond the expiration date of your current study permit, apply for an extension of your permit before the current one expires.

Can I apply for a study permit extension from outside Canada?

You cannot apply for a study permit extension from outside Canada. If you wish to extend your study permit, you must be physically present in Canada at the time of application.

What is the best time to apply for a study permit extension?

The best time to apply for a study permit extension is 30 days before your current study permit expires.

Even though you can stay for up to 90 days after your study permit expires. If you want to maintain your legal status (as a student) in Canada, apply for an extension before the current one expires.

What are the conditions for extending a study permit in Canada?

To extend a study permit in Canada, you must meet the conditions below:

You must be enrolled in a program in Canada: To extend your study permit in Canada, you must be actively enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. To prove your enrollment, you need a letter from your school (in Canada) confirming your enrollment.
Make sure your passport is valid: A study permit cannot be extended beyond the expiration date of your passport. So, make sure your passport will remain valid for the duration of your extended stay.
You must show proof of funds: You need to demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself throughout your extended stay in Canada.
You must have a good academic standing: If you want to extend your permit, you should maintain satisfactory academic performance and obey all the rules and regulations of your educational institution.
You must apply within the specified time: Apply for your study permit extension before your current permit expires – to maintain continuous legal status in Canada.
You must comply with your current permit regulations: If you violate any condition of your current permit, it will be hard to get an extension. While in Canada, comply with any conditions attached to your permit.
Keep a clean record: If you have any criminal record or security-related issues, it will render you inadmissible to Canada – meaning, you can’t extend your stay.

If you meet these conditions, you can apply for your study permit extension.

The application is done online through the IRCC website.

How to extend study permit in Canada online

If you want to extend your study permit in Canada, go through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

To extend your study permit online:

Create an online account with IRCC or log in if you already have one: From your first application, you should already have an account with IRCC, but if you don’t have one already, create an account on the IRCC website. The application is done through the IRCC Secure Account.
Put all the required documents together: Before you apply, make sure that you have all the documents required for a study permit extension.

Documents required for study permit extension in Canada

To extend your study permit in Canada, you need the following documents:

- Your valid passport: You need a valid passport to extend your study permit.
- A study permit application form: This is the most important of them all, you need to complete the study permit extension form.
- Current study permit: You’ll submit your current study permit during the application for an extension.
- Letter of acceptance from your designated learning institution (DLI): Get a letter of acceptance from your school confirming your active enrollment in a program.
- Proof of funds: Provide sufficient proof of funds. You can use your bank statements, proof of scholarship or funding, or a letter from a sponsor as proof of funds.
- Updated academic transcripts: Your transcript is also required.

It is not mandatory, but don’t be surprised if you are asked to provide additional documents like medical examination results or a police clearance certificate.

How do you submit your application online?

I will show you.

Log into your IRCC Secure Account: To submit your application for extension, log into your IRCC account. On your dashboard, find the option to extend your study permit.
Fill out the application form: You’ll see the application form, fill the form. Put your details, contact information, course details, and financial information.
Upload the documents you have with you: Scan and upload all the documents we listed above. Ensure that, they are in their required “file formats”.
Pay the application fee: There is an application fee attached and you need to pay it. You can pay with your card.

How much is the application fee for a study permit extension in Canada?

If your study permit has expired, you need to pay a 200 CAD fee to restore your student status and an additional 150 CAD for the new study permit.

Submit your application: Before you submit your application, double-check your details. They must be accurate. You can have someone check them for you. Once you’re satisfied, submit your application.

After submitting your application, you can track its progress online through your IRCC account.

Once IRCC has processed it, you will receive a decision.

You will receive a new study permit with an extended validity period if approved.

Does a study permit extension get rejected?

Of course, your study permit application can be rejected if you fail to meet the requirements for an extension. For example, if you’re currently not enrolled in a program in Canada, if your application is not complete, if you submit your application late (after 90 days), or if you provide false information in your application, your application will be rejected.

When filling out the study permit extension application form, your details should match the information in your previous application.

Can I leave and re-enter Canada on a study permit?

While on a valid study permit, you can leave and re-enter Canada, however, your study permit is not a travel document, so, you must have all your necessary travel documents before you leave and re-enter Canada.

You’ll need your “valid” passport and a valid student visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) for re-entry.

If you re-enter Canada while your study permit is still being processed (it has not been approved and your current permit has expired), you will be under “maintained status“.

Therefore, you can’t study until you get a new study permit.

You also can’t work on or off campus until you have the new permit.

I have a valid study permit but my visa is expired.

If your study permit is still valid, you can remain in Canada legally and continue your studies even if your visa has expired. However, if you leave Canada, and want to return, you need to get a new visa (or an electronic travel authorization, depending on your country) before you can enter Canada.

Can I enter Canada with a study permit but an expired visa?

If your study permit is still valid, but your visa is expired and you wish to enter Canada, you need to get a new visa, a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV before you enter Canada.

This also applies when you leave Canada, even if your study permit is valid, you’ll need to renew your visa (if it has expired) before re-entering the country.

Do I need IELTS for a study permit extension in Canada?

No, you don’t need to provide an IELTS score for a study permit extension in Canada. Although some institutions in Canada require you to provide proof of your English or French proficiency, you only do this during your student visa application.

When extending your study permit, you don’t need to provide any further proof of language proficiency.

FAQs

Can I stay in Canada if my study permit expires?

You can stay in Canada if your study permit expires only if you have applied for a renewal of your expired permit. The 90 days you have to stay after your permit expires is your grace period.

You need to use this time to either extend your legal stay or leave for your home country.

Canada does not entertain illegal residents, therefore, once your permit expires and you don’t renew it, you’re expected to leave the country willingly.

Can I leave Canada while waiting for a study permit extension?

If you have a place to go, you can leave Canada while waiting for your study permit extension application. Leaving Canada will not stop the processing of your study permit extension application.

However, if you want to return to Canada, you need a valid travel visa (temporary resident visa/TRV) or travel authorization (eTA) to re-enter the country depending on your country of citizenship.

What to do if my study permit expires?

If your study permit expires, here is what to do:

Check if you’re still within the renewal period: Check when your study permit expired (the expiration date) to know if you are still within the 90-day restoration period. You can renew it if it has been less than 90 days since your permit expired.
Stop studying and working: According to the rule, once your study permit expires, stop working (if you work part-time) or studying immediately, as you are no longer authorized to study or work.
Apply for a new one: If you are within the 90-day renewal period, apply for a new one and extend your stay. To do this:
- - State why you need a new permit and submit all the required documents.
  - Fill out the application form for a new study permit.
  - Pay the application fee, (you’re paying for both the restoration fee and the study permit extension fee).
  - Submit your application online or by mail.
Wait for a decision from the authorities: After submitting your application for a new study permit, wait for the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to go through your application and make a decision. While waiting, do not work or study.
Approval: When your application is approved, you can resume your studies or work part-time.

To avoid similar situations in the future, make sure to apply for a new study permit before your current permit expires.

When should you apply for a study permit extension in Canada?

You should apply for your study permit extension before your current permit expires. At least 30 days before the expiration date of your current permit.

Do not wait for your current study permit to expire before you apply for an extension.

What you should do to continue studying in Canada after your study permit expires

If you want to continue studying in Canada after your study permit has expired, you must:

Apply for a new study permit to extend your legal stay in the country as a student.
A new permit will restore your student status as a temporary resident in Canada.

If you apply after your permit expires, you can stay in Canada but will not engage in academic activities until you get your new permit.

You can watch the video below to see more about how you can apply for your study permit extension and the rules you must follow.

I hope you find it insightful.

How long you can stay in Canada after your study permit expires