Don't let your study permit expire!

You must stop studying and working immediately as you have lost your status.

You may apply to restore your status as a student within 90 calendar days of losing your status. The restoration application can be complex, and approval is not guaranteed. You should meet an International Student Advisor (ISA) immediately to discuss your situation.  

As long as you apply before your permit expires, you will be considered to be on “maintained status” (previously called “implied status”), even if you do not receive your new permit before the expiry date. You have the right to continue working or studying under the same conditions as before, pending a determination of your application for renewal – as long as you remain in Canada.

We do not recommend you travel while you have an application being processed. You may want to consider rearranging your travel plans.

You need to ensure you have the right documents to re-enter Canada if you leave.

If you leave Canada while on "maintained status", when you return to Canada:

• If your study permit extension has been approved, you may enter as a student. You should ask a trusted friend to collect the new study permit for you in the mail and send you a digital copy, then mail the physical document to you. However, be cautious about shipping immigration documents internationally as packages may be lost during shipping. 
• If your study permit extension is still in process, you cannot resume studies or work until you have received your new study permit. You may also be questioned by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer and may be asked to provide financial support and proof of extension application submitted. 

Create or login to IRCC Secure Account through GCKey (recommended) or sign-in partner.

TIP: Do not apply through the "IRCC Portal".
If you forgot your GCKey password and/or username, follow steps to recover your username first then password. Or sign up for new GCkey and new IRCC secure account. You may link your applications to your new account.

On your IRCC Secure Account home page, look for “Apply to Come to Canada” and choose the option for “visit, study, work”. Answer the questionnaire to receive a reference code and the document checklist.

The Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is not required for study permit extension applications. Follow the instructions below while answering the questionnaire:

• Do you have a provincial attestation letter? Choose: No.
• Do you qualify for an exception? Choose: Yes.
• What exception do you qualify for? Choose: I am an applicant applying within Canada as described under section 215(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

Complete application form Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Student [IMM5709]. Ensure to review Guide 5552 carefully, then consider the following to help you understand questions on the form:

• UCI: can be found on your study permit & TRV.
• PERSONAL DETAILS:
  • Question 7: “From” date should be the date you received the first study permit, “To” date should be the date of your current study permit expiration date. 
• COMING INTO CANADA:
  • Question 1: Place: should be the airport that you first landed in Canada.
  • Question 4: Study Permit document number: Black bolded number starting with one letter at top right of your study permit.
• DETAILS OF INTENTED STUDY IN CANADA: 
  • Question 3: added another 90 days to your program estimated completion date.
  • Question 4: provide cost of studies for one year. 
  • Question 5: the amount should be equal to or more than the total cost in Question 4. This amount should also match the proof of funds provided with your application.
  • Question 6: only choose “yes” if you are applying for a Co-op Work Permit and have a co-op letter from your faculty. 
• EDUCATION: only if you have completed any post-secondary education with credential awarded.
• EMPLOYMENT:
  • Question 1: current activity/occupation is “Student”.
  • If you need more space for previous activity/occupation, include details in a letter of explanation and submit it with your application, under “Client Information”. 
• BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
  • Be truthful and provide honest answers. 
  • Question 2: a) If you have studied or worked without a valid study permit or work permit, you need to list details and explanation. b) If you were ever refused any visa, or admission to Canada or any other country, you need to report it with briefly explanation. c) Choose “yes”, provide brief information or your previous IRCC applications such as study permit (extension) application(s).
• SIGNATURE: instruction can be found here.

• Enrollment Verification: provide enrollment verification for current and future term (if available). 
  • Extended Education Intensive Package students should contact your program coordinator for documents availabilities. 
  • ELC students should contact ELC office for availabilities. 
• Letter of Acceptance: if you are newly admitted to UM.
• Official Transcript: If you attended ICM, include ICM transcript and UM transcript.
• Program Progression Letter:
  • For graduate students, please contact your program supervisor or department head for details. 
  • For undergraduate students, please meet with an ISA to discuss how to get this document from your faculty. 
• Letter of Explanation (if needed): This is an optional document which can be uploaded in the ‘Client Information’ section of the document checklist. This document would be written by the applicant and would provide additional information or details that they would want to be considered by the IRCC officer reviewing their application.
• Proof of Financial Support: review Guide 5552 for details.
  • e.g. bank statements, proof of tuition fee paid, proof of fundings from UM (graduate students), letter from parent(s), proof of their financial resources and relationship certificate.
  • You should be prepared to show funds to support yourself for at least one full year tuition fees plus one year living expenses. 
  • We recommend that you provide as much proof of financial support as possible.
• Passport: Merge all the pages with photos, signature, stamps, visas into one PDF document.
• Digital Photo: Click “?” besides to find photo specifications.
• Medical Exam (if needed)
• Biometrics (if needed): Biometrics for visas, study permits and work permits are valid for 10 years. You can find out if your biometrics are still valid here. Follow steps below if you must give biometrics:
  1. Pay the additional $85 fee with your application
  2. Get an instruction letter from IRCC
  3. Book an appointment 
  4. Give your biometrics

Applying for or extending co-op work permit when extending study permit

If you are accepted to a UM-approved co-op program, you are eligible to apply for a co-op work permit while extending your study permit. Select “Yes, I wish to apply for a CoOP Work Permit” in the questionnaire. Answer “Yes” for Question 6 of “Details of intended study in Canada” on IMM5709. You will need to include the Co-op Letter that issued by your faculty with your application. 

Applying to extend family's (dependent minor child, spouse) permits when extending study permit

It may be possible! You should be prepared to provide additional documentation such as additional funds for your family members’ applications. 

Ensure to save the payment receipt and the “Acknowledge of receipt” page.