Study permit extension

Study permit extension steps

• Extending your study permit from inside of Canada

  You can apply online through your IRCC Secure account on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

  To apply for a study permit within Canada, follow the step-by-step instruction guide below.

  STUDY PERMIT EXTENSION APPLICATION INSTRUCTION GUIDE

• Document requirements for a study permit extension

  Document requirements may vary from person to person. Create or log in to your IRCC Secure Account (online applications) or refer to the instruction guide (paper applications). 

  1. Valid offer of admissions letter or verification of enrollment letter
     • Valid Offer of Admission letter - this letter must be valid. You can find the expiry date on the offer of admission letter.
     • Verification of enrollment (VOE) letter - You can download this letter from your MyOntarioTech account once registered in classes. Instructions on how to access this letter are on the specialized letters webpage.
       • Verify that the expected graduate date is correct. If this date is incorrect, fill out the specialized letters request form to request an updated letter.
         • Click on "other" and include in the comment box "change in graduation date"
  2. Financial Supporting Documents: Refer to the IRCC website to find what are acceptable financial supporting documents.
  3. Scan your study permit and passport together. 
     • Valid Passport - You must provide a copy of the bio-data page (the page with your name, date of birth, passport number, expiry date, etc.) and a copy of every page in your passport that has stamps, visas, or markings from Canada. 
       • Your study permit will not be issued past your passport’s expiry date or your expected graduate date (whichever comes first). If you have extended your passport and you have not received it yet and your study permit is going to expire then please submit your study permit application with your current passport with a letter of explanation. Once you have received your new passport inform IRCC by submitting a webform.
  4. Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) - As of January 22, 2025 you may need a PAL, or a PAL exception letter depending on your situation.
     • Scenario 1: If you are applying for a study permit extension at the same Designated Learning institution (DLI) and level of study as your current study permit, please refer to the below question “Do I need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for my study permit extension?"
     • Scenario 2: If you are applying for a study permit extension and have changed your Designated Learning Institution (DLI), please refer to "What if I change post-secondary institutions?" below.

  Additional documents you may also need:

  1. Biometrics - Please refer to the IRCC website for more details. 
  2. Medical exam 
  3. Letter of explanation (LOE) - A letter of explanation is a way to communicate to an immigration officer any additional information or documents that deem important for them to know. It could include:
     • The purpose of your application.
     • Issues you would like to clarify, or that the officer might find useful.
     • Supporting documents, screenshots or any other proof to support your explanation.
     • Additional employment history if you run out of space on the application form.

  Upload this document under 'Client Information' in the 'Optional Documents' section of your online checklist. A sample of the format can be found below. 

  download letter of explanation template

• Do I need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for my study permit extension?

  You do not need a PAL if the following applies:

  • You have entered Canada and
  • You are applying for a study permit extension at the same Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and level of study as your current study permit.

  More information can be found on the IRCC website. 

  If you do not need a PAL, you will be required to declare that you meet a PAL exception in a letter that you can write yourself. Click on the button below to access a PAL exception letter template for a study permit extension.

  PAL exception letter template - Study permit extension

  Please note: If you are applying for a study permit extension because you have changed post-secondary institutions, then please refer to "What if I change post-secondary institutions?" If you are issued a PAL, you will need to include it in your study permit extension application in the appropriate field.

• When to apply for a study permit extension
  If you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a study permit from within Canada and your study permit is still valid, follow the step-by-step instruction guide below. You should apply to extend your study permit well in advance of the expiry date. Check the IRCC processing time to determine when you should apply for a study permit extension from inside Canada.
• Length of time to receive your study permit
  You can check the processing time on the IRCC website.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I extend my study permit from outside of Canada?

  No. Study permit extension can only be done inside of Canada. If you are outside Canada, it would be similar to your first initial study permit application. You can find more information on our Immigration documents page.

• With my courses fully online, do I still need a study permit if I am inside Canada?

  You are required to have a valid study permit throughout the duration of your program while you are in Canada. During academic sessions, you would still be required to comply with your study permit conditions.

• What do I do if my study permit has expired?

  If your study permit expires before you apply for a study permit extension, you have lost your immigration status and must apply to restore your status. To restore your status, you must apply for your new status document (study permit) within 90 days of your old document expiring.

  You cannot continue your studies or work (if you were eligible) until your study permit restoration application has been approved. Contact your International Student Advisor as soon as possible to talk about your options. 

  To apply for a study permit within Canada and restore your status, follow this Government of Canada step-by-step instruction guide.

  If it has been more than 90 days since your study permit has expired please contact your International Student Advisor as soon as possible to talk about your options. 

• What do I do if there is a mistake on my study permit document?
  Please refer to the Study Permit Conditions website. 
• How can I change the conditions on my study permit?

  Please refer to the Study Permit Conditions website. 

• What if I want to take a leave of absence or take a gap year from my studies?

  Information on leave of absence can be found on the Leave of Absence webpage.

  If you are thinking of taking a leave of absence or a gap from your studies, please visit your International Student Advisor as soon as possible. Learn more about your conditions as a study permit holder in Canada.

• What do I do if I applied for my study permit before it expires but I haven’t heard back from IRCC yet?

  If you applied for your study permit extension before your study permit expires and you have not received a decision from IRCC about the status of your application, this waiting period is called maintained status. You can keep studying or working under the same conditions as your previous permit during this period.

  It is recommended not to leave the country under 'maintained status.' If you do decide to leave the country, you may lose your student status once you return back into Canada.

• What happens if I do not comply with immigration regulations?

  Please refer to the Study Permit Conditions website. 

• What if I change post-secondary institutions?
  Starting November 8, 2024, you must be enrolled in the designated learning institution (DLI) named on your study permit. This means you can no longer change DLIs by letting IRCC know through your online account. To change DLIs, you need to apply for a new study permit by applying to extend your current study permit. Visit the IRCC website for detailed information about changing your school. 
• What is the difference between a study permit and a Visa?

  A study permit is not the same as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). A TRV is a visa sticker placed inside your passport that allows you to enter or re-enter Canada. Depending on where you are from, you may require both a TRV and a study permit. Foreign nationals of certain countries may be TRV-exempt so they do not need a visa, however they may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead. Find out if you require a TRV.

  If you do require a TRV or a TRV extension, we're here to help. Visit our TRV page to read our frequently asked questions.

• I have applied to extend my study permit. Can I travel outside Canada and be able to return?

  Yes. You can leave Canada and return as long as your temporary resident visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is still valid. If your TRV or eTA is expired, you must apply for and receive a new one before you leave.

  Exception

  There’s only one exception to this. You may be able to re-enter Canada with an expired TRV (not an expired eTA) if:

  • you only visit the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon and
  • you return to Canada before your study permit expires.

  When you return to Canada

  If your study permit is still valid, or IRCC extended your permit while you were away, the border officer may let you enter as a student.

  If IRCC is still processing your study permit extension, the border officer may let you enter as a visitor. In this case, you cannot study until you get your extended study permit. The officer at the port of entry may also ask you to prove you have enough money to support yourself in Canada. 

  A border officer may have some questions for you when you arrive back in Canada. If the officer believes there’s reason to refuse your re-entry, you will not be able to re-enter Canada. The officer may ask you for a copy of your extension application, the fee payment receipt, or any other document to prove you applied for an extension.

  If you’re from the United States, Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon

  You can re-apply for a new study permit and pay the fees at the port of entry if you are a:

  • citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.
  • resident of Greenland, or
  • resident of St. Pierre and Miquelon.

  Doing this means you will get your study permit faster. Once you are in Canada, you must withdraw your previous application to extend your study permit. Use IRCC's web form and select ‘Withdrawal of application’ under Type of application/inquiry.