A study permit extension allows an international student currently in Canada to continue their studies beyond the expiry date on their existing permit. The extension application must be submitted to IRCC before the current permit expires — not a day late. Failing to apply in time can jeopardise your ability to remain legally in Canada, and if your permit expires before you apply, you face a narrowing 90-day restoration window before you must leave the country entirely.

Processing times for inside-Canada study permit extensions have grown substantially. As of October 2025, IRCC’s published processing time for study permit extensions is approximately 171 days — nearly six months. This makes it critical to begin the extension process as early as possible, ideally months before your current permit’s expiry, particularly if your programme end date has been revised or your graduation has been delayed.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be currently in Canada with a valid study permit
• Must still be enrolled at a DLI in an eligible program
• Must have maintained full-time enrollment (with limited exceptions)
• Must not have violated any conditions of current study permit
• If permit expired and you missed the 90-day restoration window, you must apply from outside Canada
• Implied status: if applied before expiry, can continue studying while waiting for decision

Eligibility and Implied Status

To extend a study permit from within Canada, you must be physically present in Canada, hold a current study permit that has not yet expired, and remain enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in an eligible programme. You must have maintained full-time enrolment throughout your studies, with limited exceptions (medical, academic, or final-semester part-time enrolment).

If you submit your extension application before your current permit’s expiry date, you automatically receive implied status — the legal right to continue studying in Canada under the same conditions while IRCC processes your application. Implied status continues until a decision is made, regardless of how long processing takes. However, implied status only applies if you applied on time; if you missed the deadline, you have no legal right to remain in Canada after expiry.

Students who allowed their status to lapse — for example, because they forgot to apply or were unaware of the expiry date — have 90 days from the date of expiry to apply for restoration of their status. Restoration costs an additional $246.25 on top of the $150 extension fee. After 90 days, restoration is no longer possible and the applicant must depart Canada and apply for a new study permit from abroad.

Step-by-Step Extension Application

The process for extending a study permit from within Canada is entirely online:

1. Confirm your current permit’s expiry date and calculate the latest safe submission date — apply well in advance given the 171-day processing time.
2. Obtain a current enrollment letter from your DLI confirming continued registration and the new expected graduation date.
3. Gather financial proof: updated bank statements, GIC maturity schedules, or scholarship confirmation showing you have sufficient funds to continue.
4. Obtain academic transcripts showing satisfactory academic progress.
5. Log in to your IRCC secure account and complete the Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student.
6. Pay the $150 CAD government fee — biometrics are typically not required again if collected in the past 10 years.
7. Submit and retain your submission confirmation as proof of implied status.

Do not book international travel while your extension is pending unless absolutely necessary. Leaving Canada while on implied status (not yet holding the new permit) cancels your implied status and may trigger a new full application process. Consult a regulated representative before travelling.

Document Checklist

A complete extension package reduces the risk of delays or requests for additional documents:

• Current study permit (copy)
• Valid passport
• Current enrolment letter from DLI confirming continued programme registration
• Proof of sufficient funds (updated bank statements, GIC maturity schedule, scholarship letters)
• Academic transcripts or progress letters showing satisfactory standing
• Study permit extension application form
• Any prior IRCC correspondence (if applicable)

How VGIS Helps

VGIS, led by Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, provides professional review of your extension package before submission. This includes verifying that your implied status timeline is protected, ensuring your financial documentation meets current IRCC thresholds, and drafting any explanatory letters required for non-standard situations such as programme changes, academic breaks, or prior compliance issues.

Book a paid consultation at vgis.ca/book-consultation/ to discuss your specific circumstances before your permit expiry date approaches.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	$150 per person (same as initial study permit)
Biometrics	$0 (biometrics already on file if collected in past 10 years)

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• Current study permit
• Current enrollment letter from DLI
• Proof of continued sufficient funds
• Proof of academic progress (transcripts)
• Study permit extension application
• Passport

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a study permit extension take to process in Canada?

As of October 2025, IRCC’s published processing time for study permit extensions submitted from within Canada is approximately 171 days. This is a significant wait, so you should submit your application several months before your current permit expires to ensure you have valid implied status throughout the wait.

Can I keep studying while my extension is being processed?

Yes — provided you applied before your current permit expired, you are on implied status, which allows you to continue studying under the same conditions as your existing permit while IRCC processes your application. If your permit expired before you applied, implied status does not apply and you may not be able to legally continue studying.

Can I travel outside Canada while waiting for my extension?

Travelling outside Canada while on implied status (before receiving the new permit) will cancel your implied status. You would typically need to apply for a new study permit from abroad. It is strongly advisable to avoid international travel until the new study permit has been issued, unless your situation is unavoidable.

What if my study permit expired and I missed the deadline to apply for an extension?

If your permit expired, you have 90 days from the date of expiry to apply for restoration of status as a student. Restoration requires an additional fee of $246.25 on top of the study permit extension fee. After 90 days, restoration is no longer available and you must leave Canada and apply for a new study permit from outside the country.

Do I need to provide biometrics again for my study permit extension?

Generally, no. If you provided biometrics to IRCC within the past ten years, they remain on file and do not need to be recollected. The biometrics fee of $85 is therefore typically not required for study permit extensions — only the $150 processing fee applies.

Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/extend.html

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.