If you lose your Canadian Study Permit (IMM 1442) while inside Canada, you must apply for a replacement by submitting Form IMM 5009. The federal processing fee is $30 CAD. Before applying, you should always file a lost property report with your local police department.
Being an international student in Canada is an incredible opportunity, but losing your official immigration documents can be incredibly stressful. 🏫 Whether you left your Study Permit on the subway in Toronto, or your wallet was stolen in downtown Vancouver, replacing this vital piece of paper is a top priority. Your Study Permit is the legal document that proves your temporary resident status in Canada, allows you to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), and permits you to work part-time if eligible.
You do not need to leave the country or visit a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office to get a new permit. Instead, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allows you to request a Verification of Status (VOS) or a replacement of a valid immigration document entirely by mail or online. The process is straightforward, but it requires careful attention to detail and proof that the document was genuinely lost or stolen.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Regardless of which Canadian province you are studying in, the process for replacing a lost IMM 1442 document is managed federally by IRCC. 📝 Follow these steps closely to ensure your replacement is processed without unnecessary delays.
Step 1: File a Local Police Report
If your Study Permit was stolen, or even simply lost, your first step should be contacting the local police. You do not need to call 911. Call the non-emergency line of your local detachment (such as the Calgary Police Service or the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal). Report the document as lost/stolen and ask for a police report number. IRCC may request this number as proof that you are not committing immigration fraud.
Step 2: Gather Your Identity Documents
To prove your identity to IRCC, you must gather supporting documents. 📁 You will need clear, high-quality photocopies of your passport (the biographical data page), your university or college enrollment letter, and a copy of your lost Study Permit if you took a picture of it previously. Do not send original passports to IRCC for this application.
Step 3: Complete Form IMM 5009
Download Form IMM 5009 (Application for a Verification of Status (VOS) or Replacement of an Immigration Document) from the official IRCC website. Fill out the form completely. In the section asking what happened to the document, provide a clear, concise explanation (e.g., "My wallet containing my Study Permit was lost on public transit on May 10, 2026. Police report number 123456").
Step 4: Pay the Replacement Fee Online
IRCC requires a processing fee to print and mail a new document. 💳 You must pay this fee through the official IRCC online payment portal. Once the payment is complete, print the receipt or save it as a PDF. You must include this payment receipt with your application package; otherwise, it will be returned to you unprocessed.
Step 5: Submit Your Application to IRCC
Compile Form IMM 5009, your supporting documents, and your fee receipt. 📪 Mail the complete package to the Operations Support Centre (OSC) in Ottawa, Ontario. It is highly recommended to use Canada Post Registered Mail or Xpresspost so you can track the delivery of your sensitive application.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Replacing a Study Permit is relatively inexpensive, but you should budget for a few administrative costs. 💵 Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay in Canadian dollars (CAD):
| Expense | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IRCC Replacement Fee | $30 | The mandatory federal fee for processing a replacement immigration document. |
| Local Police Report | $0 to $25 | Some municipal police forces charge a small administrative fee to print a formal police report. |
| Secure Mailing | $15 to $35 | Canada Post tracking fees to ensure your application reaches the Ottawa processing centre safely. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Processing times for a replacement Study Permit fluctuate based on the volume of applications IRCC is handling. ⏳ On average, processing a Verification of Status (VOS) or replacement document takes between 3 to 4 weeks once the application arrives in Ottawa. If your application is incomplete or missing the payment receipt, it will be sent back, significantly delaying the timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I keep studying while I wait for my replacement permit?
Yes. Losing the physical paper document does not cancel your legal status in Canada. As long as your original Study Permit has not expired, you can continue attending your classes and working (if authorized).
What if my Study Permit is expiring soon anyway?
If your permit expires in less than a few months, it might be more practical to simply apply for a Study Permit Extension rather than a replacement. An extension will grant you a brand-new document with new dates.
Do I need to hire a lawyer to replace my Study Permit?
No. Replacing a lost immigration document is a straightforward administrative task that most international students can handle themselves using Plain English instructions from IRCC.
Will the replacement document look different?
The replacement document will contain the exact same information and expiry date as your original permit, but it will have a new issue date and may indicate that it is a replacement copy.
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