Study Permit Extension in Canada 2026: Process, Fees & Processing Time

What Is a Study Permit Extension and When Do You Need One?

International students pursuing their studies in Canada require this form to extend their stay for the length of their course. A study is a vital application that students submit to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to continue their studies legally in Canada. Students must apply for an extension when their initial study certificate is on the verge of expiring. It ensures that the immigration status of students remains legal throughout their stay in Canada, helping them to continue their studies further without disturbance.

The study permit is issued for a maximum length of the applicant’s study program, with an additional 90 days. It helps students to prepare further for departure, or Canada study permit renewal, if they want to stay in the country. However, they are required to apply for this form under the following conditions –

• When the existing study permit expires before a student finishes the program
• When students change their course, and a new one requires a longer duration than mentioned in the existing permit
• The graduate date was extended due to academic or medical leaves
• The student transferred to another designated learning institute, and the program length is longer

How to Find Your Permit's Expiry Date?

Many students often struggle to find their permit’s expiry date because the document looks confusing with several dates and details written on it. However, to find the right expiry date, you should look at the study permit’s bottom under ‘Condition/Remarks’.  This date is similar to the ending date of the applicant’s educational program, with an additional 90 days. During these extra days, they can either leave Canada or apply for extensions based on their preferences.

However, it is mandatory to apply for an extension before this period expires by meeting all the study permit extension requirements. In case you have lost the permit, you can check the expiry date online through your immigration account.

How to Extend a Study Permit in Canada?

You have to apply online on your IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) account to extend study permit in Canada.

1. Start by preparing and gathering all the required documents.
2. Now log in to your IRCC account with the help of GCKey or a Sign-in Partner.
3. Click on the "Apply for or extend a study permit" option.
4. You will then have to complete a questionnaire, which will determine your eligibility and generate a personalised document checklist.
5. Complete the online application form, which in most cases is the IMM 5709E.
6. Now upload all the required documents as well as the application form in the corresponding field. And make sure that the files are not more than 4MB.
7. Pay the processing fee of $150 CAD online and an additional $85 CAD biometrics fee if required.
8. Submit the form and wait for a decision.

A Study Permit Is Not a Visa

One thing to clear out is that a study permit is not the same as a Visa. The permit allows you to stay and complete your studies in Canada for a particular duration. A visa (like a Temporary Resident Visa) or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), on the other hand, lets you enter Canada.

So when you apply for a Canada study permit extension, you are applying to continue your stay in Canada for your studies, not a visa extension. And if you want to extend student visa Canada, then you will need to submit a separate application.

PAL Requirement for Study Permit Extension 2026

Students extending their study permits in 2026 must know the updated PAL requirements:

• From January 2025, if UG or diploma students are changing their level of study required a  Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL).
• If you are changing Designated Learning Institution (DLA), a new study permit is required.
• From January 1, 2026 onwards graduate study permit applications no longer require a PAL.
• Master's and PhD students at public Canadian Universities are exempted from PAL requirements and from the national student cap from 2026.
• The PAL number format for Ontario 2026 is expected to start with "ON26", which helps identify province specific attestation letters for study permit processing.

When Should You Apply for a Study Permit Extension?

Now talking about when to apply, well you must apply before your current study permit expires. However, there is a legal minimum, but current processing delays make early application very important.

1. Legal Minimum: You must apply at least 30 days prior to your study permit expires.

2. 2026 Recommended Time: Apply 5 to 8 months in advance because of processing times of up to 83 days.

Note: Applying late does not restore or protect implied status retroactively.

Eligibility for Extending Your Study Permit

Temporary residents who are studying in Canada must meet the eligibility criteria to apply for a study permit extension. For this, students must:

• Be registered in a recognised designated learning institution in Canada
• Hold an authentic and valid study permit when applying for extension
• Meet each condition of their existing permit (Sufficient financial statement and registration in DLI)
• Ensure that their passport is valid

Required Documents for Study Permit Extension

For a study permit extension, the required documents usually vary based on individual circumstances, but they generally include the following. Missing information in the IMM5709 form can lead to unnecessary delays or rejection.

• Valid passport (all pages with stamps)
• Current study permit
• Digital photograph
• Letter of enrolment from your current DLI
• Official transcripts (most recent)
• Tuition fee receipts
• Proof of funds (bank certificate or bank statement showing CAD 22,895 or more)
• Any previous Canadian educational credentials
• Residential address in Canada
• Marital status details
• Previous visa or permit refusals (if any)
• Date and place of entry to Canada

Does Study Permit Extension Affect PGWP Eligibility?

Extending the study permit rightly does not affect much your PGWP eligibility as long as you will meet all the application deadlines and requirements:

• You are required to apply for a PGWP within 180 days of completing your program.
• If the permit has expired before applying, you must restore your status first and then apply for the PGWP.
• An implied status during a study permit extension assists in maintaining PGWP eligibility.

Implied Status During Study Permit Extension

An implied status is a kind of temporary legal permission which allows international students to remain in Canada and continue their education while IRCC processes their study permit extension application. 

What You Can 

• You can continue your studies in Canada without any interruption while your application is being processed.
• If your previous study permit already included work authorization, then you can continue working.
• You are legally allowed to stay in Canada until IRCC gives a final decision on your extension application.

What You Cannot do

• Your implied status will not apply if you apply after your permit has expired and thus you may lose the right to continue studying.
• You cannot travel outside Canada as it automatically cancels your implied status.
• If your extension application is not accepted any subsequent application submission during the same period may also be refused.

Study Permit Extension Fees in Canada 2026

In 2026, students can expect to pay CAD 150 to extend their study permit while studying in Canada. However, the additional cost that they will need to pay when applying for extensions is mentioned in the table below.

Common Reasons Why Study Permit Extensions Get Refuse

Extension of a study permit in Canada can be refused for many reasons, including a lack of documents required for study permit extension in Canada, insufficient funding evidence and poor academic status.

• Insufficient Evidence of Funds – Many applicants fail to prove that they are able to cover their tuition fees, travel costs, and living expenses, which leads to refusal. Financial requirements have been strict after 2025.
• Poor Academic Status – Another key reason is low grades, gaps in their studies and excessive failed degrees, which shows the candidate is not interested in studies. As a result, officials reject their extensions.
• Failure to Fulfil Key Requirements – If the candidate fails to comply with all conditions mentioned in their study permit, it can lead to rejection. For example, working extra hours by ignoring the timings cited on their study permit.
• Lack of Growth – Students who switch to a low-level degree or an unrelated field and try to extend their education without any logical reason can face rejection while applying for a study permit extension.
• Weak Application – Your application must be convincing because if it shows a vague or weak explanation, officials may doubt your intention to leave the country. Hence, results in rejection. 

How to Apply for a Study Permit Extension?

To extend your stay in Canada, you are required to complete Form IMM5709 and submit your application online via IRCC. Here you need to opt for IMM5709 Form change conditions, extend my stay or remain in Canada as a student), then follow the process below:

1. Log in to your IRCC account or create a new one if required.
2. Answer the online questionnaire to generate your personalised document checklist.
3. Complete the whole form IMM5709 properly and other details.
4. Upload all the crucial documents.
5. Pay the application fee of CAD 150 online.
6. Pay the bio-metrics fee of CAD  85 if necessary.
7. At last submit your application online after reviewing all the important details carefully.

How Long Does It Take for Study Permit Extension?

There is no fixed study permit extension processing time in Canada, and it can range from weeks to months. However, as per IRCC, the average study permit extension time is around 171 days as of October 2025, and is updated weekly. So it is recommended that you visit the official IRCC website for the most up-to-date information.

Also note that the processing time for study permit extension starts from the day the IRCC receive your complete application and usually ends when the decision is made. If your application is not complete, then your application may get delayed or returned.

Conclusion

Summing up, after submitting the study permit extension application, the IRCC will process it and send you a study permit extension approved email. And soon after this, you will get a new study permit in the mail. Also note that you will only be able to extend student visa Canada, after you have extended your study permit. Navigating this whole process can become quite complex, especially if you are doing it on your own. To make this simpler, you can connect with our study abroad consultants, who can either do it for you or help you every step of the way. Connect today!

FAQs:

1. Can I leave Canada while my study permit extension is being processed?

Yes, you can leave Canada while your study permit extension is being processed. However, you will lose the implied status after leaving the country. You will need to obtain a valid eTA or TRV to re-enter Canada as a student. Also, if travel is mandatory, you must check the validity of your TRV with the international student office.

2. What can I do if my study permit extension was refused?

In this situation, you should first read the letter of refusal carefully because IRCC mentions key reasons behind rejection. After understanding these reasons, you must reapply for the study permit extension with a compelling application, asking for reconsideration to check any factual issues. Moreover, you can request a judicial review by the Federal Court.

3. Can I work in Canada while my study permit extension is being processed?

Yes, you can work while your study permit extension is being processed under implied status with the same conditions. For instance, if your authentic permit allowed work up to 22 hours every week during your academic terms and unlimited hours during breaks, the conditions will remain the same under implied status.

4. What happens if the study permit expires before I apply for an extension?

You will lose legal short-term resident status and must stop attending classes instantly. Moreover, you will have 90 days to apply for restoration of your study permit from the date of expiry. It will cost you around CAD 390, through which you can stay in Canada for the remaining duration of your course.

5. Can I apply for a study permit extension from outside Canada?

No, it is not possible to apply for a study permit extension from outside Canada because it's only for students who are physically present in Canada. However, students from the other country are required to apply for a new study permit using the standard process.

6. Do international students need a new study permit when changing DLI in Canada after November 2024?

Yes. From November 8, 2024, international students changing their Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada must apply for a new study permit before starting studies at the new institution. Applying early is recommended due to processing times.