Here’s a complete guide for prolonging your stay in Canada as a student. International students often need to apply for study permit extensions or modify the permit during their academic journey in Canada once they possess a study permit. To begin with, the expiry of a study permit occurs after 90 days of completing the study program. If there’s a situation where you’re unable to complete your study program prior to the study permit date, you will need to apply for an extension. Conversely, if you complete the program beforehand, the study permit’s expiry will occur after 90 days. This is irrespective of the initial study permit date.
Therefore, IRCC recommends that students apply for study permit extensions before 30 days of the expiration date of the existing study permit. However, applying even before the 30-day timeframe is even better to avoid further delays or issues in the process.
If you are pursuing studies in Quebec, you must obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate. Generally, the rule is that a study permit requires you to attain a CAQ.
Prolonging your stay in Canada as a student – If the study permit’s expiry is about to happen
If a student applies for a study permit’s renewal, extension, or change before the expiry of the present status, you will fall under the “maintained status” category. This maintained status will apply to you as a temporary resident until IRCC finalizes your application.
However, if your status expires before IRCC finalizes your application, you will only prolong your studies for the duration of your stay in Canada.
Maintaining your legal status in the country is crucial during the complete process. It is vital to avoid exceeding your authorized stay in Canada without applying for a status change.
In the case of an expired study permit
If you have not yet applied for a study permit but have expired already, it further implies that you have lost your status in Canada. In addition, you will not have permission to continue your studies until IRCC provides you with a new study permit. This also indicates that having a status in Canada is essential, and without its restoration, you can’t resume your studies. Hence, you will get 90 days to apply for your status renewal and permit extension.
CAN$ 200 is the fee for restoring your status, while you must pay CAN$ 150 for a fresh study permit.
What about traveling outside Canada?
When you need to re-enter Canada, demonstrate a travel document, as it is essential if you want to return to the country.
What if a candidate has submitted an application for a different permit?
If you previously had a student status but applied for a work permit, in that case, you will not get permission to continue your studies while waiting for your work permit application’s decision by IRCC.
Moreover, you don’t have the authority to study in Canada unless IRCC approves your application. Contrarily, you can reside in the country as a visitor or temporary resident until your application is finalized.
Prolonging your stay in Canada after graduation
If you are thinking of prolonging your stay in Canada as a student after graduation, you must maintain your legal status through the following:
- Submit applications for different permits, keeping in mind the eligibility and your individual situation. For instance, a work permit with a fixed employer.
- Application submission to change your status to visitor.
- Submitting a study permit application for the second time in order to resume your studies.
A few graduates might qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, enabling students to reside in Canada and acquire Canadian work experience.
International graduates will be eligible for a PGWP if they fulfill the following requirements:
- If they finish an eligible program under the PGWP from a DLI.
- Their study program’s length was eight months.
- They continued to have full-time student status in Canada in every academic session. However, they can show part-time student status in the last semester of the study program. Also, if international students acquire part-time education due to the consequences of coronavirus.
- Demonstrated a transcript or official letter affirming that they have completed their studies.
- Submitted an application within 180 days of their program completion and received their transcripts.
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