Canada Study Permit Extension: How to Apply?

Sanjay Yadav
[Published 17 Feb, 2024 | 05:32 PM]
About Author - 6 min read
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As most things come with expiration dates, so does your Canada study permit. The expiry date on your study permit tells you beforehand when you have to stop studying and leave Canada. Your study permit is valid for the length of your study program, plus 90 days. The extra 90 days is for international students to prepare to leave Canada.

In case your program finishes early, your study permit will expire 90 days after that, no matter what the original date on your Canada study permit was. 

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So, when does a student require a permit extension?

Primarily, there are two:

• If your study program is not complete before the visa expiration date.
• If you wish to continue your study in Canada.

When to apply for a Canada Study Permit extension?

To maintain your status as an international student, students are advised to apply for a study permit extension at least 30 days before their current permit expires. If you can apply even before that, it will cover any future delays or issues and be processed on time.

International students enrolled in a Quebec university may also need to get a new Certificate D’acceptation Du Quebec/Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) in addition to a study permit extension.

Condition 1: Study permit is yet to expire

If your study program is about to finish and you submit an application for renewal, change, or extension before that, you will considered to be on “maintained status” as a temporary resident until the immigration authorities decide on your application.

But if it expires before a decision is made, you will only be allowed to complete your studies as long as you remain in Canada. During this time, it is crucial to maintain legal status and not exceed the duration IRCC has allowed you to remain in Canada without first applying for a change in status.

Condition 2: Study permit has already expired

If this is the case and you haven’t applied for an extension, you have officially lost your status in Canada. You will not be allowed to continue or restart your studies. Unless IRCC restores your status and issues a new permit, you cannot study in Canada.

You can use the 90-day timeframe to apply for a permit extension to stay in Canada. You’ll have to pay CAD 200 for status restoration and CAD 150 to get a new study permit.

Condition 3: You are planning to travel outside of Canada

International students planning to travel out of Canada need a valid travel document to re-enter.

Condition 4: You’ve applied for a different permit

If you wish to work in Canada after your Canada student visa expires, apply for a work permit. But til there is a decision made on your application, you cannot study or work in the country. During this time, you can remain in Canada as a temporary resident (visitor).

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How to Stay in Canada After Graduation?

If you wish to remain in Canada after completing your graduation, you must maintain your legal status. Here are ways to do it:

• Apply for a work permit and work for a single employer.
• Apply for status change to a visitor.
• Apply for a new study permit and continue studying.

You can also apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), if eligible. It allows you to stay in Canada and gain valuable work experience that can help you gain points for permanent residency.

You can apply for PGWP only if:

• Your studies are completed in an academic, vocational, or professional training program at an eligible DLI (Designated Learning Institution).
• Your study program was at least 8 months long and must have led to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
• You maintained your full-time student status in Canada every semester.
• You obtained a transcript or an official letter from the DLI confirming you met all requirements to complete your study program.
• You have applied within 180 days after completing your program and acquiring your transcripts.

Note that if you were a part-time student in the last semester of your studies or had to switch to part-time status due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus, it will still be considered acceptable for applying to PGWP.

New Changes to PGWP

If you are applying for a Canada study visa from India in 2024 and your study program is part of a curriculum licensing agreement, you will not be eligible to apply for a PGWP after graduating.

Canada Study Visa Approval in 30 Days

Further, from February 15, 2024, onwards, international students who graduate from master’s degree programs, which are less than 2 years (minimum 8 months), will be eligible for a 3-year PGWP. However, the exact length of your PGWP depends on the length of your study program.

Planning to study abroad?

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Read More: Job Opportunities for International Students in Canada 2024