Student Visa Renewal
A study permit allows foreign nationals to study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. A study permit is typically valid for the length of your study program, plus an additional 90 days to allow you to prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay.
You can apply to extend your student visa if it is about to expire. To allow for processing time, the Government of Canada requires that you apply to extend your work permit at least 30 days before your current permit expires. If your study permit expires and you want to stay in Canada to study, you will need to apply for a new study permit and restore your status as a temporary resident.
If you want to stay in Canada but you are no longer studying, you can apply for a work permit or apply to change your status and stay in Canada as a visitor. Otherwise, you are required to leave Canada once your study permit expires.
If you want to work in Canada temporarily but do not already have an existing study permit, you can find out more on the Study Visa/Permit page.
Processing times for these applications can vary significantly, but you can obtain an estimate from the Government of Canada here. Some cases are more complex than others and need more time or information to process, especially if anything changes during your application, such as medical status, new dependants, or a marriage.
If you’re looking for more information on renewing or changing your study permit, you can schedule a professional consultation with one of our licensed consultants here. They’ll be able to provide you with all of the information you need to get your application started.
