Study Permit Extension in Canada: Process, Fees & FAQs Guide

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.

Required Documents for Study Permit Extension

For study permit extension, the required documents usually vary based on individual circumstances, but they usually include:

1. Valid Passport: You will need a scan of your bio-data page as well as all the pages that have stamps, visas, or markings from Canada. Also note that your new study permit cannot be valid beyond your passport’s expiry date.
2. Current Study Permit: A copy of your current study permit.
3. Proof of Enrolment/Acceptance: A Letter of Acceptance (LOA) or a letter of enrolment from a DLI (designated learning institution) is needed to confirm if you are an active student or not.
4. Proof of Financial Support: Documents showing you have enough funds to cover your cost of studying in Canada. This includes your Canadian bank account, proof of scholarship or loan, or a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).
5. Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): As of January 22, 2024, the newest study permit applications also require a PAL/TAL from the province or territory where the student is studying
6. Letter of Explanation (LOE): Lastly, it is generally recommended to submit a LOE where you clarify any complex issues, provide relevant information, or explain why you need an extension.

Co-op/Internship Work Permit

When applying for a study permit extension, it is also usually recommended that you apply for a Co-op/Internship Work Permit. Especially if your letter of acceptance indicates that your study program has a work requirement. This is a separate permit, but you are not required to pay any additional government application fee.

You can apply for this extension on the IRCC portal itself during the Canada study permit extension process. The steps of which include:

1. When filling the online application questionnaire, you will be asked if “work is an essential component of your studies.” Click on “Yes” for this.
2. You will then be asked if "you also want to apply for a work permit." Click on "Yes, I wish to apply for a Co-Op Work Permit".
3. After this, the system will add the specific document checklist item and necessary forms. It usually includes "Evidence of Work Requirement in Study" or "Co-op Letter."

When Should You Apply for a Study Permit Extension?

One of the biggest doubts is when one should apply for a Canada study permit renewal. Well, the safest and most suitable time is 2 or 3 months before it expires. Also, applying before 30 days of expiration can be challenging. Also, as the processing time takes up to 157 days, there is a high probability that the new permit will arrive after your current extension permit expires. Students don’t need to stress because it is normal, and the best part is that you get implied status during this period.

What is Maintained or Implied Status?

Implied status, which is now termed as maintained status, is a permissible provision, allowing students or temporary residents to stay in Canada to continue their studies. However, for this, they must apply for extension of study permit. It provides the following benefits:

• Temporary residents with implied status can stay in Canada legally
• They can attend their lectures under similar circumstances to their original permit
• Their status remains the same until the IRCC orders a new decision

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

Along with this study permit extension document checklist, they must ensure they are part of DLI. However, if for any reason their institution is not on the DLI list, they must transfer to another academy.

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 157 days as of November 19 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.

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. 

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.