If your Canadian study permit expires before graduation, you must stop studying and working immediately. However, under Canadian immigration law, you have exactly 90 days to apply for a Restoration of Status. The total government fee to restore your status and get a new permit is currently $385 CAD. It is generally best to apply for an extension at least 30 days before your permit expires to benefit from “maintained status.”
Studying in Canada is an incredible opportunity, but managing your immigration paperwork can be incredibly stressful. It is very common for international students in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal to realise their study permit is about to expire before they have actually finished their academic programme. Perhaps you changed your major, took a semester off, or faced a strike at your university. Whatever the reason, letting your status lapse can severely threaten your future in Canada, including your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has very strict rules regarding temporary resident status. If you apply to extend your permit before it expires, you can continue living your normal life under what is called “maintained status.” However, if the expiry date passes and you have not submitted an application, you instantly lose your legal status. Navigating the 90-day restoration window under section 182 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) is critical. Because a refusal at this stage means you must leave the country, many students rely on a local immigration lawyer or law firm to handle the paperwork.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Whether you are attending a university in Ontario or a college in British Columbia, the federal rules for extending or restoring your study permit are exactly the same. Here is what you generally must do to protect your status.
Step 1: Check Your Dates and Stop Working
The very first step is to check the expiry date printed on your physical study permit. If that date has already passed, you must completely stop attending classes and immediately stop working (even off-campus). Continuing to study or work without a valid permit is a severe offence under Canadian law and can lead to a permanent deportation order from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Step 2: Gather Letters from Your School
To ask IRCC for more time, you must prove why you need it. You will need to contact your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to request an official letter of enrolment. This document must clearly state your expected graduation date, the reason your studies were delayed, and proof that you are currently in good academic standing. An experienced lawyer can help review these letters to ensure they meet IRCC standards.
Step 3: Apply for an Extension (If Not Expired)
If your permit has not expired yet, you should urgently submit an online application for a study permit extension. The moment you submit this application and pay the federal fee, you legally enter “maintained status.” This means you can keep attending classes and working according to the conditions of your old permit until IRCC makes a final decision on your new one.
Step 4: Apply for Restoration of Status (If Expired)
If your permit has already expired, you are entirely out of status. You have exactly 90 days from the expiry date to apply for a Restoration of Status. In this application, you must thoroughly explain exactly why you let your permit expire. You must pay both the restoration fee and the new permit fee. You cannot study or work while waiting for this restoration to be approved.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Fixing an expired or expiring study permit involves mandatory federal government fees and optional professional fees. Here is what you should expect in CAD:
- Study Permit Extension Fee: $150 CAD (if you apply before it expires).
- Restoration of Status Fee: $235 CAD.
- Combined Restoration & Permit Fee: $385 CAD (if your permit has already expired).
- Biometrics Fee: $85 CAD (only if your previous biometrics have passed their 10-year validity).
- Immigration Lawyer Retainer: Hiring a law firm to handle a stressful restoration application generally costs between $1,000 and $2,500 CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Processing times with IRCC fluctuate constantly based on their backlog. If you apply online for a standard extension from inside Canada, it typically takes 40 to 80 days to receive a decision. However, if you are applying for a Restoration of Status, the process is much more scrutinised and can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. During this lengthy restoration wait, you are legally grounded and cannot resume your studies.
Maintained Status vs. Restoration of Status
| Feature | Maintained Status (Applied Before Expiry) | Restoration of Status (Applied After Expiry) |
|---|---|---|
| Can I keep studying? | Yes, fully allowed. | No, you must stop immediately. |
| Can I keep working? | Yes, under original permit conditions. | No, working is strictly illegal. |
| Government Fees | $150 CAD. | $385 CAD. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if I miss the 90-day restoration window?
If more than 90 days have passed since your study permit expired, you are no longer eligible for a Restoration of Status from inside the country. You must immediately leave Canada, return to your home country, and apply for a brand new study permit from outside Canada.
Can I travel outside Canada on maintained status?
If you leave Canada while on maintained status, you immediately lose your right to work or study when you return. You will only be allowed to re-enter Canada as a visitor, and you must wait until your new study permit is officially approved before resuming classes.
Do I need a new Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to extend?
Generally, no. If you are already inside Canada studying at a DLI and are simply applying for an extension of your study permit, you are legally exempt from the recent federal requirement to provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
Will an expired permit ruin my chances for a PGWP?
It can severely complicate things. To get a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must have maintained full-time student status. If you stopped studying for 4 months while waiting for a restoration, the IRCC officer might refuse your PGWP. You should strongly consider speaking to a lawyer to properly explain the gap.
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