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New DLI
If you plan to move to another designated learning institution, you generally need to apply for a new study permit reflecting the new school.
STUDY
Extend Your Study Permit
Continue your studies in Canada by applying to extend your study permit before your current immigration authorization expires.
Review Your Study PermitSTUDY PERMIT EXTENSION
When Do You Need to Extend Your Study Permit?
If you need more time to complete your Canadian studies than your current study permit allows, you generally need to apply for an extension before the permit expires.
This may happen because your program lasts longer than expected, you continue into another eligible program, or your academic circumstances change.
Applying before expiry is important because it can allow you to remain in Canada and continue studying under maintained status while IRCC processes the application.
If your permit expires before the appropriate extension application is submitted, different rules apply and you may need to restore your student status.
APPLICATION TIMING
Apply Before Your Study Permit Expires
IRCC currently says students who want to keep studying at the same school should apply to extend their study permit at least 30 days before the permit expires.
IRCC also recommends applying more than 30 days in advance where possible.
Applying earlier provides more time to resolve issues involving school documents, passport validity, provincial requirements or other supporting evidence.
Your application must be received before your current study permit expires if you want to rely on maintained status.
Don't Wait Until the Last Day
Immigration deadlines are important. Technical problems, missing documents or an expired passport can make a last-minute application much more difficult.
Check My Expiry DateUNDERSTANDING YOUR PERMIT
When Does a Study Permit Normally Expire?
The expiry date printed on your permit determines when your current authorization as a student ends.
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Check the Printed Date
The expiry date on your study permit is the first date to check when planning an extension.
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Permit Often Includes Extra Time
A study permit is commonly issued for the expected program length plus an additional 90 days.
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Extra Time Has a Purpose
The additional period is intended to give students time to prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend their authorized stay.
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Do Not Assume You Have 90 Extra Days
Always use the actual expiry date printed on your immigration document rather than calculating your own date.
MAINTAINED STATUS
Can You Keep Studying While IRCC Processes Your Extension?
If you apply to extend your study permit before your current permit expires and remain eligible, you can generally remain in Canada under maintained status while IRCC processes the application.
Students who properly applied for an extension before expiry can generally continue studying under the same conditions until a decision is made.
Maintained status is based on submitting the appropriate application while your existing temporary status is still valid.
Extension Filed Before Expiry?
You may generally remain in Canada and continue your studies while waiting for IRCC's decision, provided the applicable maintained-status requirements are met.
Learn About Maintained StatusCHANGING SCHOOLS
Changing Your Designated Learning Institution
Current rules for changing post-secondary schools are more restrictive than they were in the past.
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Apply Before Changing
IRCC currently instructs post-secondary students changing schools to apply for the new study permit before completing studies at the existing school.
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Do Not Start Automatically
In most cases, you cannot begin studying at the new DLI until the new study permit has been approved.
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Limited Exceptions
A student may begin studying at the new DLI before approval only in limited situations, such as where the previous DLI closed, discontinued the program, was placed on the suspension list or lost its designated status, and the other IRCC conditions are met.
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New School Documents
A new Letter of Acceptance and other supporting documents may be required as part of the application.
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PAL/TAL May Need Review
Depending on the new program and your circumstances, current provincial or territorial attestation requirements should also be reviewed.
PROGRAM NOT YET COMPLETE?
What If Your Studies Take Longer Than Expected?
Students sometimes need additional time because of course scheduling, academic progression, program changes, approved leaves or other circumstances.
If your program will continue beyond the expiry date of your current study permit, you should generally apply for an extension before that permit expires.
Supporting school documents should clearly explain your continuing enrolment and expected completion timeline where applicable.
Program End Date Changed?
Compare the new expected completion date with your study permit expiry date early enough to prepare an extension if required.
Review My Study TimelineSUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
What May Be Needed for an Extension?
Extension applications should show that the student continues to qualify for temporary student status.
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Current Passport
Your passport should remain valid for the period for which you are requesting immigration authorization.
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Current Study Permit
Your existing permit and current immigration status form part of the extension application.
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School Documentation
Enrolment letters, transcripts, letters of acceptance or other school records may be relevant depending on the reason for the extension.
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Financial Evidence
You may need to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to continue your studies and support yourself in Canada.
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Explanation of Studies
Your application may need to explain why additional time is required and how your studies have progressed.
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Provincial Documents
Students in Quebec or applicants affected by PAL/TAL requirements may need additional provincial documentation.
If you are extending your study permit at the same DLI and the same level of study, you generally do not need a new PAL or TAL. Changing schools or levels of study may require a new PAL/TAL unless an exemption applies. Different rules apply when restoring student status.
STUDYING IN QUEBEC
Quebec Students May Also Need a New CAQ
Students studying in Quebec are subject to additional provincial immigration requirements.
If your Quebec Acceptance Certificate, commonly called a CAQ, will no longer cover the extended period of study, you may need to obtain a new CAQ as part of the study permit extension process.
Provincial and federal document validity should be coordinated before the study permit extension is submitted.
Studying in Quebec?
Check both your CAQ and federal study permit expiry dates before preparing the extension.
Review My Quebec DocumentsWORK WHILE STUDYING
Can You Keep Working While Your Extension Is Processing?
A study permit extension does not create new work authorization.
If you were already eligible to work under the conditions of your study permit and you properly maintain your student status, you may generally continue working under the same student-work conditions while the extension is being processed.
You must continue to satisfy the requirements for student work authorization, including applicable enrolment and study conditions.
Same Work Conditions Continue
Maintained status generally preserves the conditions of your existing status. It does not give you broader work rights than you had before.
Review My Work EligibilityTRAVEL OUTSIDE CANADA
Planning to Travel While Your Extension Is Processing?
A study permit is not itself a travel document.
If you leave Canada, you still need the appropriate passport and travel document, such as a valid Temporary Resident Visa or eTA where applicable, to seek re-entry.
If you leave Canada while your study permit extension is still being processed, you may be allowed to return only as a visitor. In that situation, you cannot resume studying until IRCC approves the study permit extension.
Study Permit ≠ Travel Document
Before travelling, check both your Canadian immigration status and the travel document you need to return.
Review My Travel PlansPERMIT ALREADY EXPIRED?
You Must Stop Studying If You Lost Student Status
If your study permit expired before you submitted the appropriate extension application, you generally lose your student status in Canada.
Once student status is lost, you cannot continue or restart your studies simply because you have submitted a restoration request.
You generally must wait until IRCC restores your student status and issues the new study permit before resuming studies.
Expired Means Stop Studying
Restoration is different from maintained status. Filing after expiry does not normally allow you to continue studying while you wait.
Learn About RestorationRESTORATION
Restoring Student Status
In some cases, a student who lost status may be able to request restoration instead of immediately leaving Canada.
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General 90-Day Period
Under the general restoration rules, a student normally has 90 days after losing status to apply for restoration.
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Must Remain Eligible
The applicant must continue to meet the applicable requirements for restoration and a new study permit.
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No Studying While Waiting
A student who lost status generally cannot study until status has been restored and the new permit issued.
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Approval Is Not Automatic
Submitting a restoration application does not guarantee that IRCC will restore student status.
The 90-day restoration period is the general rule. Temporary public policies or special measures may provide a different restoration period for certain affected applicants.
CHANGING IMMIGRATION STATUS
What If You Apply for a Work Permit Instead?
Applying for a different type of temporary status is not the same as extending your study permit.
For example, if you were a student and apply for a work permit instead of a study permit extension, you generally cannot continue studying simply because the work permit application is pending.
You also cannot normally begin working until you have the required work authorization unless another specific rule permits it.
The Application Type Matters
Maintained status preserves the conditions connected to the application you made. Switching immigration categories can change what activities you are allowed to continue.
Review My Next StatusAPPLICATION PROCESS
A Typical Study Permit Extension Process
The application should establish why you need additional study authorization and that you continue to meet Canada's student requirements.
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Check Your Expiry Date
Confirm exactly when your current study permit and any provincial authorization expire.
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Confirm Your Study Situation
Determine whether you are continuing the same program, changing programs or changing institutions.
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Gather School Documents
Obtain the enrolment, acceptance, transcript or other documents needed to support your continuing studies.
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Apply Before Expiry
Submit the extension application online while your existing study permit remains valid whenever possible.
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Follow Your Existing Conditions
While the application is pending, continue to respect the study and work conditions that apply to your status.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Extending Your Permit Is More Than Changing an Expiry Date
IRCC may assess whether you continue to meet the requirements of the international student program and whether your requested period of study is supported by your academic circumstances.
School changes, academic progress, finances, passport validity, provincial documents and compliance with previous permit conditions can all affect the application.
The timing of the application is especially important because filing before or after expiry can determine whether you may continue studying while waiting for a decision.
Study Permit Expiring Soon?
AddPlus Immigration Solutions Inc. can review your permit expiry, school documents, academic situation and immigration history to help determine the appropriate extension strategy.
Contact UsCONTINUE YOUR STUDIES
Protect Your Student Status Before Your Permit Expires
Tell us when your study permit expires, which school and program you attend and why you need additional time, and let our team help you understand the extension process.
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