Canada Study Permit Extension – All You Need To Know

Last Updated On 21 March 2023, 2:44 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

If you are on a study permit in Canada, your study permit’s expiration date will inform you when you must complete your studies and depart Canada. However, you must apply for a study permit extension if you want to continue studying.

To find your study permit expiration date, look in the upper right corner of your study permit. Typically, your study permit is valid for the duration of your academic program plus 90 days. Therefore, you can apply for Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) or plan your departure from Canada or apply to extend your study permit.

In this article, you can learn everything you need to know about study permit extension.

When should you apply to extend your study permit?

If you want to continue studying, you must apply for a study permit extension at least 30 days before your current study permit expires.

However, ensure that your passport and visa do not both expire at the same time. It is because your study permit cannot be extended past the expiration date of your passport.

Apply before your study permit expires. Then, you can continue studying under the same terms as your present permit until IRCC decides on your extension application. However, this only applies while you are in Canada.

Apply for a study permit extension within the 90 days

When you receive your first communication from your school (such as an email, letter, transcript, etc.) that you have completed your program, degree, diploma, or certificate, that is when your 90 days begin.

These 90 days are for you to either apply to extend your stay or to prepare for your departure or apply for Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP).

Moreover, if you complete your studies sooner than expected, your study permit will expire on the date specified on the permit or 90 days after completing your studies.

However, if you complete your studies later than expected, you must request a study permit extension at least 30 days before the original expiry date.

What should you do if your study permit has expired?

If you want to continue studying in Canada, but your study permit has expired, you must apply for a new one. Request a new study permit and regain your status as a temporary resident of Canada.

If you apply after your permit has expired, you can stay in Canada but cannot study until your status has been restored and you have received your new study permit.

What to do if your educational institution is no longer a DLI?

You have two options if the educational institution has lost its status as a Designated Learning Institution. First, continue your studies until your current study permit expires. It may give you some time to apply to other institutions or think of other plans while you have a valid status in Canada.

Next, your second option is to transfer to another DLI. This may be your best option if you already have an offer letter from another institution.

Moreover, suppose you intend to leave Canada before or after applying for a study permit extension. In that case, you will be denied re-entry unless you meet specific requirements, which include the following:

You have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction proving that you were authorized for a study permit,
Your DLI is on the approved list of DLIs with the COVID-19 preparedness plan is approved, and
have a valid travel document.

How to apply for a study permit extension?

It would be best to apply for a study permit extension online because you can submit your application easily and find the status of your application quickly. Below are the steps to apply online:

Step 1: Prepare what you will need.

You will need electronic copies of your documents, so ensure you can access a scanner or a camera. These documents generally include your current study permit, transcripts, and passport. However, you will get a personalized checklist when you apply.

Another thing you may need is a valid credit or debit card to pay the application fees.

Step 2: Refer to the instruction guide.

Before applying, it is best to read the instruction guide, as it will give you an idea of what to expect in the application. Especially if you need help completing the form, the instruction guide explains how to complete the form.

Step 3: Answer questions to the online tool

While preparing your application, before submitting your forms, you may need to answer a few questions to help generate a personalized checklist.

Step 4: Be ready to pay your fees

You must pay the processing fees for yourself, and anyone else included on your application. In addition, you must have a valid credit or debit Canada to pay this fee.

Step 5: Make an account or sign in.

To submit your application online, you will need to create an account, and it will help you with the following: